Suzy going full time in May

[Suzy Harrison]

I had planned to go full time in August this year, but events have changed those plans.

I started laser hair removal last July (2008) and anti-androgens in the October with hormones in December. I thought that I would give these hormones some time to get my breasts growing and felt confident that I could hide the emerging female side of me until this coming August.

However many people are noticing that my facial appearance is changing so much (in boy mode) - That is, my skin is so much lighter and clearer than before. To add to this the breast growth has exceed my expectations. Already it's noticeable and I have trouble using the changing rooms when I go to check equipment in hospitals (male communal changing rooms).

So, together with my HR Manager we now plan to do the following:

Wed 6 May - Tell everyone in the Perth Office (where I work) of my impending change
Thu 7 May - First thing in the morning the HR Manager will send an e-mail to all of branches of our company throughout Australia. One hour later I will also send out my e-mail with photos
Fri 8 May - My last day in boy mode

I'll then go on leave for 3 weeks and return on Tuesday 2 June as a full time female, with my name officially changed.

The driving force behind all of this is the company I work for, as they are falling over backwards to help me. They are even going to pay for and orgainise a cocktail party for me two days before I return to work. They are very keen for all this to be a success.

The HR Director with her assistant flew over to Perth last week to arrange everything with me. She even took me out for a meal one evening.

Honestly, you couldn't even make this up could you? I'm overwhelmed by their support and kindness

At our meal
83616

83624

83617

:hugs: Suzy

[Lisa Golightly]

Awwwwww good luck Suzy :)

Lisa x

[robyn1114]

Great news Suzy, and good luck

[Karen564]

Suzy, Thats just totally Awesome news!!!

:hugs:
Karen

[Anna the Dub]

That's great news, Suzy. And that is one good company that you work for. Fair play to them.

[Shelly Preston]

Great news Suzy

It is good you have a very enlightned company

I am sure it will all go very smoothly :hugs:

[deja true]

Oh, Suzy! For some of us this world is purgatory...

but for you, it 's turned into heaven.

Your bright and smiling face in that portrait above tells us all that we ever need to know.

Congratulations, my dear one, on a major step to you're new life.

More than ever you have all of our

respect & love

deja

:<3:

[GypsyKaren]

Cool beans, Suzy!

Karen :g2:

[RobynB]

Congradulations Suzy

[Sarah...]

Fantastic, Suzy. I hope you continue to go from strength to strength :)

Sarah...

[MJ]

All the best Suzy. life just gets better and better. congratulations girl friend :love:

[LaurenS.]

What wonderful news! You are living a dream for so many.
You look fantastic, you have such great support, things couldn't look better for you. We're all so happy for you.
Lauren:daydreaming:

[Alana65]

Oh, Suzy! For some of us this world is purgatory...

but for you, it 's turned into heaven.

Your bright and smiling face in that portrait above tells us all that we ever need to know.

Congratulations, my dear one, on a major step to you're new life.

More than ever you have all of our

respect & love

deja

:<3:

:iagree: , and the company/people you work with/for is amazing for being soooo supportive in your transition. I'm soooo happy for you, hun. :bighug:

[kristyk]

You haveto be quiet excited about the whole thing happening so fast and so easy with your comapnys supporting you that well

[Sara Jessica]

Wow, this is just amazing. For every company like yours I'm sure there are dozens which wouldn't go so far to help ensure your transition is not only successful from a career standpoint but also dignified as well. Much congratulations and best wishes Suzy, you look positively radiant!!! :)

[Kimberly Marie Kelly]

It seems you are living the dream we all want to live. Love, Kimberly :battingeyelashes:

[Sharon]

I am so happy for you, Suzy! :)

[SirTrey]

Suzy, that's really great news and I wish you the best of luck....It takes a lot of come out as you have, and you have done it amazingly well....and....I'm so glad for you that you have found the support you need to make it work in conjunction with your career....I'm glad to hear that things are going so well. :hugs:

[TxKimberly]

Suzy! it's so nice to hear from you as I had been worrying about ya'!
This sounds very exciting, and maybe a bit scary. All right, a LOT scary! lol
I'm SO thrilled that things are going so well for you and will keep my fingers crossed that you will be happy. :)

[MichelleBolton]

Congrats on going full time in May, I am so happy for you that you have an amazing accepting employer.

I have put much thought about talking to my employer, I am waiting, well, really not waiting, working on myself to be able to go full time.

It's a slow process, yet, it is an exciting process. I love seeing the changes within me.

Congrats!

If you wouldn't mind sharing, I am wondering about the processes you have gone thru to be able to get yourself to this point of going full time. What have you done, what hurdles have you jumped over, what set backs have you seen?

I am wondering for myself, as I seem to go thru a bing-purge stages. I have learned not to throw things out when I am purging now, because I know I will alway turn back. In realizing that I tend to take two steps forward, one step back. Or even two steps forward, three steps back - I've just come to accept that - in fact every time I move forward, I see the progress made along the way.

I have made a decision to focus on taking little steps, setting small goals, instead of putting focus on the end result. I really don't know right now what the end result will be with me, I suspect I do know deep down inside. But by breaking up into small goals, I have been able to progress forward. When I in the past have thought of things in certainty, that's when fear has crept in.

It's ironic, as I know who I am, and what I need to do, yet, when I move to quickly, I get scared, fearful. My fear is grounded in not being externally perceived as a woman, therefore my mind tells me that I am not passing, etc. I think that is when I purge.

So, all being said, I would like to know steps you have taken along the way..

In breaking things up into small steps, I have also realized that I need to do things in Parallel, and other things specifically one at a time. Did you come to this conclusion?

My questions are to Suzy, but please if you have travelled this journey, or are on the road, please comment!

Congrats on going full time, Suzy.. and Good luck in May. I am sure we will all be cheering for you!!!

With warm regards,

Michelle

[Suzy Harrison]

If you wouldn't mind sharing, I am wondering about the processes you have gone thru to be able to get yourself to this point of going full time. What have you done, what hurdles have you jumped over, what set backs have you seen?






Well it's been very small steps at a time - initially I hadn't even planned to go full time, it just developed.
Inspired by others on this forum I started to improve my overal look and go out in public. Very scary at first of course, with many, many setbacks such as being read in the street and sniggered at. But eventually it became easier.

It wasn't until I reached the point when I flew across the country as a female that I began to realise I could actually manage to go full time after all. My lovely GG friend at work then enquired with upper management to see how they would react - and they were very positive. (I've been with the company for many years).

After that I concentrated on further improvements, laser hair removal, weight loss, skin care, voice training - and then, after referral from doctors - hormones, which also made a big difference both physically and mentally. Now I feel much more of a female from the inside and not just due to the clothes or make up.

Even now I know I'm still learning as I have to forget all of the male mannerisms I built up over time, but I feel I'm getting there.

:hugs: Suzy

[Jenna1561]

Wonderful news! I'm so happy for you and Wow you do work for a great company. You look so happy!

Jen

[Emily01]

such an inspiring story that demonstrates, managed well, with good support and a doctor's care we have choices and opportunities....thank you!

[Wendi {LI NY}]

Congrats and good luck with everything on your wonderful journy.
:hugs: wendi

[AKAMichelle]

I can easily from the photos how much you have changed. The boy appears to be completely gone. Glad to see that things are turning out so well for you.

[Kimberley]

Congrats on the job front. More employers could take a lesson from yours... a lot more. Obviously they recognize the value of their employees and are willing to support your success and their investment in you.

Give the HR Director a hug from all of us... then send her flowers.

:hugs:
Kimberley

[Jan W]

So happy for you Suzy honey.

Hope to see you soon.

Love,


Jan

[Mary Lee]

I am happy for you. That you are able to fulfill your dreams.

[Brenda Locke]

Congrats Suzy!!!!. You are one lucky Girl, to have that kind of support; especially from your employer it must make things a great deal easier on you.
Good luck.

Brenda :daydreaming:

[Denise01]

Congtatulations Suzy.

I am hoping too that i will be able to go full time within a year, at which time i plan on continuing with my full Transition


Denise

:):)

[Maddie22]

Congrats Suzy, that is great news!!!!
By the way, I am graduating from College next may, and could use a good job at an open company like yours ;-)

Hey, nothing wrong with a little networking, especially in this economic enviornment!!

[Sheila]

Suzy this is brilliant news hun, congratulations :hugs:

[pamela_a]

Suzy. this I'm very happy to hear things are going very well for you. Congratulations.

-Paula-

[CharleneT]

WOW, such a wonderful company ! Although there are similar here in the US, not in my area that I know of.... oh well....

CONGRADS to you for the progress and the bravery to go ahead. Good luck in each of the next few stages ;)

Charlene

[carolinoakland]

I was gong to wait and then i filed the papers and got ready, and then found out that there was a five month court delay in the paper work to change my name. oy. But my union went ahead and issued me a new ID badge with the new name. so, no hair removal and HRT I went full time on January 22nd. I haven't looked back, and to me the sign that this is right.... I wake up every day now excited like the first day of school. I get to meet people for the very first time. And people get to meet me for the very first time. And I'm so happy nowl. Yeee haw. You'll do fine, it's great when the mgmt. gets behind you and stands with you. sigh. You are going to be fine, there's nothing boi left to you. Carol

[debbeelee1]

Wow Suzy, you are living your dream!

[Melissa A.]

A little late, but congratulations, Suzy! I'm so happy you've recieved such positive support. And kudos to your employer. I hope things go as well with your co-workers.

Hugs,

Melissa:)

[Donnadcd]

I've been following your journey, just wishing I was in your shoes. I find it very motivating for me and hope that I can post the same announcement myself sometime in the future. I know everything will go fine. You have no shortage of support here, that's for sure.

[Sally24]

Just take a deep breath and take it one day at a time. You've made amazing progress since I first started reading your posts of going out shopping! That middle photo of you looks so natural and feminine. So glad that you're feeling more and more your female self. Good luck and keep us informed.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

great for you suzy!! very happy for you and you look great!!!

michele

[Suzy Harrison]

Thank you for all your lovely e-mails. This is such an exciting, but scary time for me and so I'm so glad to have support and encouragement both on-line and also from my GG friends at work.

I took these photos at the weekend:

In my operating theatre 'blues'

84325


My GG freinds

84326


My friend


84327


:hugs: Suzy

[Suzy Harrison]

Yesterday all of the senior managers in my company were told of my condition (10 of them)

The HR Director started off by giving them a short introduction to the effects and causes of transgenderism - and then told them my position. A few of them were totally stunned, but they all voiced their support.

Then my special "e-mail to all staff" note was read out to them. I wrote the letter in December in anticipation of what was to follow. The main reason I wrote it was to explain my condition to everyone in the company when I go full time. I haven't put it on this site yet as I'm saving it for when I go full time in May. The HR lady says it's very special - and it's the best piece I have ever written.

Today I had phone calls from the two of the senior managers (that are linked to my department) to say they had no idea and expressed sympathy on just how difficult life must have been for me. They said they will do all they can do to help.

So that's all in place now with just 7 weeks to go.


:hugs:Suzy

[MJ]

you have come a long way sis I'm very proud of you and all you have done :hugs: :love:

[PrincessAndie]

congratulations Suzy! I am so happy your work transition is going well. It is sure to be a sucess! Your experience is inspirational to me. I too will have to do the same, but am a ways away from it. I'm sure it will happen sooner than I think. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Tgirl74]

I'm so happy for you!

jacinda

[Jessinthesprings]

I am so excited for you. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I wish we all worked for a company like that.

[pamela_a]

That's absolutely fabulous Suzy, thanks for the update. It's been quite a journey for you and as the first (and probably most difficult) part comes to an end soon I want to wish you well and thank you for sharing it with us. I'm sure your story has given many girls here encouragement to continue, I know it has for me.


-Paula-

[Eileen]

Karen is right Suzy, that is awesome news! All the best as you begin a new chapter in your life!

Eileen

[Jan W]

Don't forget our 'date' once you are full time.

Seriously, great news Suzy. You work for a wonderful company full of wonderful people.
Would love to meet your HR manager if the situation should every arise - she sounds very special.

Love,


Janny

[Tora]

Suzy, Best of luck, Bravo, thank you for your courage.

Tora

[Laura B.]

Congratulations Suzy! I am starting full time at work on 4/21. My HR department is behind me all of the way and has let me decide pretty much how my roll out is going to go. This week, my bosses boss and my 2 supervisors are being told. Next week an email I drafted will be sent out telling everyone in my department that I will be reporting the following week as Laura. And finally on Tuesday the 21st, there will be a staff meeting where my coworkers will first get to see/meet Laura. Free at last! I wish you well and hope all goes as planned. Peace and Happiness, Laura B.