... since I have had to explain my situation to anyone. In fact I cant remember the last time I had to do so, it probably would have been around the point I went fulltime in work. By this time everyone who needed to know pretty much knew about me. To start with it used to be so difficult talking about how I felt and the reasons I wanted to sort my gender issues out, but as with everything, the more you talk about it the easier it gets. Things like bills and banks details have been taken care of and my name had been legally changed. The only thing I haven't done is my passport but am waiting on the forms to let me do that at the moment. So appart from the odd conversations I have with friends about things like where my treatment is up to and how things are, its been like at least 13 or 14 months I would think since I really had to explain things !!
So am sitting in work today when I realise today is the day the company pension advisor is coming in. I did enquire about a pension a while back but they thought there would be issues with me taking it out due to the fact that legally I am not "female". They where supposed to look in to it but they didn't get back to me. So considering I still dont have a pension and am now 30 its probably a good time to start one up. So being all brave I put my jacket on and go to the meeting room the pension advisor is in.
Lol, I have never been so nervous in all my life. I knock and open the door and he invties me, tells me to sit down and ask what he can do for me today. I explain I would like to start a pension but last time I enquired about doing so they wheren't sure if I could have one he looks a little puzzled and ask why. I explain that legally my gender is not female, it is still in fact male. He sort of looks me up and down and just says no problem. He gives me the form, I fill it in and hey presto - I have a pension now !!
As I say it was such a nerve racking experience, I know it sounds like so much worry about nothing but I had competely forgotten what it was like to have to explain this stuff. In fact I think that most of the time recently I completely forget I even have an issue at all. I think its time to go and get myself a strong cuppa, lol !!
Becky
xx
