So, my dad took me out to dinner last night for a chat about things, where I was going, what's going on with my transition, and his thoughts on the matter. For a background, I'm about 3.5 months on HRT, not full-time until early next year, and my dad knows about my transition already. My parents are also divorced.
Anyway, we were having a talk to discuss financial assistance from my family for therapy. I found a great therapist at a gender center in Southern California, and my appointment is on Monday. I haven't been regularly seeing a therapist, and the one I have seen doesn't really know much about trans-issues. Long story short, my dad, in his words, is keeping an open mind, and knows I'm on a highly personal journey of mine and he can see my conviction and my happiness already, but he is not yet convinced this is the right thing for me to do, but he is open to that changing. Until then, he can't, within his conscience, financially support any of my transition as of yet. I said that was fine, but my mother had already said that they would help finance things related to my therapy, and I have an appointment scheduled for Monday. He's still not "ready" to contribute.
And that's fine, I told him. I didn't want to explain that if he thinks that I might be confused or going down the wrong path, that therapy would be a way to figure that out...I
especially didn't want to say that because I know I'm going down the right path, even if he doesn't believe it yet. I've been going down this path my whole life; it's only recently that I decided to run instead of crawl.
That said, I still need money for my therapy. I'm going to ask my mother again, so we'll see how that goes. Otherwise, I'll have to postpone seeing this therapist, and I know it's highly recommended to see a good therapist during these parts of my transition. I just can't afford it at the moment.
Speaking of financial woes, my insurance expires when I turn 26 in November. I'm going through my dad's insurance right now, and my work only offers insurance to full-time employees. That leaves me with the options of finding other work, trying to get full-time, or paying out of pocket for insurance, all of which must be fit around my school schedule. I also need to think about moving out from the family that I live with, because they are ultra-conservative, and they are going to notice something eventually about me. Plus, it's just not healthy for me to continually be someone I am not in the place that I live. How am I going to afford living on my own? Beats me. I have a few potential roommates willing to possibly find a place, but in any case, money is going to be ridiculously tight. And I didn't even mention my hair removal appointments! I guess those are less of a priority.
Transitioning. Is. Expensive. Well, not for everyone. Maybe just me, I guess.
I dunno, I guess I just needed to vent a lit'l. Any advice is welcome, of course. Love ya guys.
