Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Sex-change surgery appropriate use of Medicare and Medicaid funds?
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Old 04-12-2013, 05:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hal :-) View Post
My wife was a Neonatal RN and I recall her saying that sometimes the doctor had to make the sexual determination decision. Something called Ambiguous Genitalia and they decided the sex. Maybe they made mistakes.

I really wish people could be more open-minded in our divisive society.
Thank you, Hal. Not just a bit more open-minded but a heck a lot kinder!

A dear friend of mine had transgender surgery. It was not easy for her. As a matter of fact, it was extremely painful and required several surgeries. This is not something done lightly; not by the patient, not by the surgeon. Rather, the individual has to have extensive psychotherapy, must live in their "chosen" gender for one year before any surgery or hormonal therapy will be done. This is not someone asking for an amputation because of a mental illness. This is someone asking for a chance of happiness by having their body fit their mindset.

So, my response is a resounding yes! I could never begrudge another human the right to have the life that was deemed right by not only themselves but also the specialists who would be performing these surgeries and working with these patients on a daily basis. Happiness is hard to find in this world. Some of us have been far luckier than others in this regard. Why should be begrudge someone the joy of being able to live in their own skin?
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