Hi,

I've been a member for about a year but haven't really posted much. I'm at a point where I think I'm ready to take steps into transition. I'm really hopeful that I could find someone near me that could maybe let me in on some "lessons learned" which are specific to where I live. I.e. a good therapist, endocrinologist, and anything else that might be helpful.

So quick background to maybe serve as a mini-introduction. I'm 30 in two weeks. I've got three awesome small kids and I'm super blessed with a supportive spouse. I've had gender conflict every day of my life since I was three. I came to terms with the fact that I'm transexual last year right before turning 29. I saw a therapist for a few months, but it wasn't the right fit. I've been transitioning socially in my home. I've told my extended family and inlaws. I told one of my coworkers who is sort of in a "boss" role. I think I'm starting to feel comfortable enough to take a few more small steps into this scary (for me) journey of transition. I think I'm also really starting to get to the point of wanting (needing?) to create a support network of brave women who have already made this journey (or are making it now).

So if anyone lives in the middle of Pennsylvania (I'm in a town about an hour south-west of State College -- not anywhere close to Harrisburg, fyi) and would be willing to talk to me, that would be pretty amazing. I am aware that there is one trans person in the town next to mine, but aside from finding their facebook page but not being "connected", I don't really know how to get ahold of them (if this person is reading this, I sent you a friend request from a male presenting facebook page, and my wife also sent one (with the same last name) to try to grab your attention).

Anyway, thanks for reading this.     <--the emotions behind this smiley are half nervous, but half excited, fyi.

Unfortunately that area is about the middle of nowhere.  I am about an hour north of Harrisburg and go to Alder Health.  It's annoying to have to travel for service.  Luckily I didn't need to spend much time with a therapist to receive my letter to start hrt. 

Good luck finding people like us.  Not that they don't exist, we just are not typically so open about it given the culture.  I would be willing to talk with you in an online capacity.  I too have 3 kids and an awesome wife.  I didn't discover I was trans until about 9 months ago.

Best of luck,
Amber

Amberwaves, thank you so much for writing. It's heartening to know that people are doing this in the middle of Pennsylvania (as you pointed out, in the middle of nowhere). I really appreciate the tip about Alder Health. I kind of had it in my head that I'd travel to Pittsburg before Harrisburg, but I looked that place up and it's only 2 hours away. If I can't figure things out locally, that's an awesome resource to have in the back pocket. Given your similar situation with kids and a spouse, I would be super interested in striking up some conversations with you. I don't have the 15 posts required to private message, so I'm not sure how to get in touch with you right now. I guess I'll keep this idea in mind and when I get to the 15 posts, I'll shoot you a message. Again, thank you so much for writing. Really means a lot.

Alder health isn't bad.  They have a sliding scale for therapy.  For the endo visits you get a discount for paying in full up front.  I get the lab work they request done through my GP so it is covered by insurance.  Fair warning, they are very busy and you have to schedule out months in advance for the endo.

Good to know. I've got a first appointment with a GP scheduled next month. No idea if they'd be willing to take on their first trans patient in administering HRT, but if not I guess I can at least add Alder Health as a possible alternative.

Again, thanks for that offer to being willing to talk to me more online. I'll look forward to sending you a PM once I get this post count up to 15 (that's turning out to be a really hard task for me!). I'd love to see how similar our situations are and to get your perspective of being trans in the middle of PA.

I'm also in the middle of nowhere PA about an hour from Harrisburg. I go to alder health also. Still married to a wonderful wife and have a 4 yr old. Transitioning here actually hasn't been to bad. Found counselor pretty easily and got the process going quickly. The only major problem I see living in rural nowhere is just a lack of community. You are kind of alone. So websites like this are amazing and also making sure your home support system is strong.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

I'm actually surprised to see some activity in this thread.  This area is the middle of nowhere so it certainly doesn't feel like there are any other transgender people outside if the population centers