Why, Hello!

[Guest Adrian]

Well this isn't actually my first post, I already did one in the FTM forums.... Haha.

Still, my name is Adrian. I usually go by Ady because I haven't started transistion and I don't really pass, so I have to go gender neutral. I live in the UK, so if the NHS (National Health Service) think that I am eligable for treatment, it will be free, with the downside of very long waiting times. It will be about a year approximately before anything starts happening. I see the doctor on Wednesday to discuss a referal, but I'm concerned general medical staff won't take this seriously. I happen to live in a very liberal area, so my chances are higher, but I have a slight mistrust for the medical profession when it comes to anything beyond tangible physical pain. I will prepare my 'pitch' as best as I can without sounding like a corporate advertisment, and throw a bunch of imformative leaflets at him / her as politely as I can.

Nice to meet everyone, and good luck!

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hey, Ady....what's up?

Good to have you here at the Playground!

I've got some hot pizza here and how 'bout a cold drink to go with it?

Good......

Now sit here in this big comfy chair and we'll wait for some of the others to come by and say "Hi!".

Safety is our concern here at Laura's so we moderate...we read and approve each and evry post...that way no meanies get in!

You can just be yourself here and we judge no one!

You get comfy and relax......OK?

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Sally]

Welcome to the playground and the forums Adrian.

It is so good to meet you, I see that Donna Jean has brought you pizza already so you are probably feeling pretty good about this place already.

Since she called you Ady feel free to call her Dee Jay - she likes it!

And as for me I go by Sally but a few of the members have called me Momma Sally and that has kind of stuck, but I like it so you may choose which ever you like.

We have a number of members from the UK and then some from Australia so the time differences make responses a little slow sometimes but it doesn't stop you from making friends in all of those places.

I think the smell of pizza will be spreading through the forums pretty soon now and everyone will know that we have a new member and they will drop by to meet you.

Welcome to the family, Ady.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Shane_82]

Welcome

~ Shane

[Guest Adrian]

YAY Pizza

Its my favorite!

Aww, family, that's nice. Good call on the moderating - I've been on plenty of general forums where the moderating is slack and people just insult each other all the time. I hope that doesn't happen here even if there become more and more members.

Thanks for being so nice everyone!

*LONG DISTANCE HUGS ALL AROUND*

[Guest Jean Davis]

Nice to meet you Ady.

Welcome to the family.

LUV

Jean

[Guest Mr.Yoav]

Hey man, welcome to the playground.

I think I've already talked to you in the FTM forum.

That's were I usually am!

Great to have you here!

[Guest Robin Winter]

Welcome!

*Considers moving to the UK*

The wait times might be long, but it'll be longer for me, having to sort out payment on my own

*Big Hugs*

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Hey Adrian,

I know that you realize that things are going to move slowly with regards to transitioning. I am certain that you will find a gender trained specialist who will completely understand you and what you are going through. You will get your referral

Welcome to the forums Adrian.

Love

Brenda

[Carolyn Marie]

Welcome to Laura's, Ady. It's great to meet you.

I know you will find friends here. There are a lot of very wonderful people

who will support you if you need it, and offer companionship if you ask for it.

We are a family here, so welcome to the family.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Zabrak]

Hopefully things will go well for you. Welcome to Laura's.

[Guest Adrian]

Thanks everyone!

Just to update; I GOT MY REFERAL to the main local hospital. It isn't direct to the GIC (Gender Identity Clinic) but to be honest I thought there ought to be / was probably going to be an inbetween stage. Sending me all the way to Charing Cross in London is a bad move if a professional in the field hasn't spoken to me at all. London is a fair way away.

It is encouraging, though; If my general doctor (whom I have never met before) can take me seriously, hopefully others in more experienced positions can as well - also, because it's a referal, I won't have that awkward bit about having to explain why I'm there. They'll already know... Or at least I presume!

[Sally]

Good for you, it is a start!

Are you planning on going to Charing Cross someday?

I remember reading about it when I first started my research.

Best of luck to you.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Adrian]

I am indeed aiming for Charing Cross... As soon as I'm given the go ahead! NHS guidlines say that it might be six months from now. But I don't complain; That incoperates both a minimum and a maximum waiting time, to make sure you are sure but to make sure if you are you will get the treatment and the won't forget about you, as state healthcare can be a little hit and miss like that. And, yes, it would be a much, much longer wait if I had to pay. I can't see my parents willingly funding this particular stage in my life...