Suzy Harrison
05-09-2009, 09:21 AM
One year ago, only 1 person (outside of this forum) knew about my condition. A week ago around 50 knew – At the end of this week, this number would grow to around a 1000.
This is this the week where I will disclose my condition and plans to everyone. I don’t feel nervous, as I’ve had so long to prepare. I know I have the complete support from the company I work for and also feel others should be fine with it….. I hope !
Late on Tuesday afternoon my HR Manager, Teresa, arrives in Perth. It’s a peculiar sensation waiting for her in the arrivals lounge – as Suzy. This is something I could have never imagined just a year ago. As she comes down the escalator she see me, smiles and give a wave. Once we’re face to face we have a long hug together. So much time and planning has gone into this week and she is just excited as I am. I’m so lucky to have someone like her to help me realise my dream. We go to the hotel where she is staying which is close to where I live. Soon, after checking in, we’re having dinner, being joined with my favorite GG from work – Catriona. This is the wonderful person who has also helped me so much during this past year. This dinner tonight, marks the occasion where we draw the line between my old and new life. On Wednesday we will tell the rest of the staff in my office and on Thursday everyone else in the company - and also, all of our customers.
On the Wednesday morning Teresa and I arrive at the office. Everyone else is already there, as planned. I’m greeted by the receptionist, who gives me a card to mark the occasion, - and a hug. She, together with the two other females that work here, has known my plans for some time. Elaine (another one of the girls) has brought in a cake! – Soon after we’re sitting around a table, with the guys bewildered and wondering what is about to happen – and all the girls already knowing! Teresa starts off by saying that I have an important announcement to make – and afterwards she will answer any HR questions that there may be. So she hands over the meeting to me – and I take a deep breath and begin.
You would have thought that telling a room full of people about your most personal secret would be horrendous. But I feel calm and confident. I’ve really come so far that nothing is going to get in my way now – and certainly not nerves. I start off with a bombshell. "I have a serious genetic medical condition* - which I’ve known about since the age of 12". I now have their undivided attention. I go on to say although it’s not life threatening, it is certainly life changing. I then tell them everything - including my plans to become female. I’m studying their faces as I’m speaking and see sympathy and compassion.
As I finish, the many questions are about to begin. The first one comes from a guy that we had assessed - might - due to his background; find my situation hard to comprehend. I’m ready and expecting something difficult from him. But his question is short, simple and completely floors me. His question is; “What can we do to help you?
Soon I can see everyone else is also committed to help and support me. I am so lucky.
That cake then comes out and a party atmosphere begins. An hour later the decision is made to close the office for the afternoon, so we can all go out for lunch! This wasn’t planned for, but shows just how well everything is going. Soon we’re off to an up market restaurant for the rest of the afternoon.
Come the evening, Teresa, Catriona, Elaine and I,( by now as Suzy ), have one last meal out together – a celebration of a years planning and today’s events. During the meal Teresa tells me she has, as planned, sent an email out to the company’s staff across the rest of Australia.The plan is that her e-mail is ready in everyone’s 'in box' by the next morning. It is to introduce my plans and confirm the company’s support.
By mid morning I sent off my email to all staff ( see this ). (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105320)
By noon on Thursday, everyone in the company had seen both of the emails. I had wondered what they would think about my situation. From the many e-mails of support I received back, I can see the general feeling is not bewilderment, but sadness for what I’ve been through since an early age and admiration for the courage needed to pursue my dreams. Since that time, Catriona has also started to tell the customers and their reponse has also been very accepting and supportive.
I have now gone on leave for a 3-week period. This is designed to give me time to settle into my new life and also time for everyone else to get use to having Suzy in their lives. At this moment I couldn’t feel happier than I do now. Everything seems to be going so well for me. In 3 weeks time I start my dream. I’m sure there are some difficult days ahead of me as I start my transition but with the support from everyone here on the forum and my friends here in Perth – I’m sure I’ll be okay.
We often wonder how others perceive our condition. We might think that many people think we are strange. But it seems the world is changing and everyone is becoming more accepting and aware of our condition.
All Done - A celebration
88239
--------------Suzy -------- Elaine --- Catriona --- Teresa --------------
By the way - Now I can tell you, the company I work for is called OLYMPUS
Not only does Olympus make cameras, we also make Medical Products used in endoscopy and key hole surgery
We all work in the medical division of Olympus
* See BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7689007.stm
This is this the week where I will disclose my condition and plans to everyone. I don’t feel nervous, as I’ve had so long to prepare. I know I have the complete support from the company I work for and also feel others should be fine with it….. I hope !
Late on Tuesday afternoon my HR Manager, Teresa, arrives in Perth. It’s a peculiar sensation waiting for her in the arrivals lounge – as Suzy. This is something I could have never imagined just a year ago. As she comes down the escalator she see me, smiles and give a wave. Once we’re face to face we have a long hug together. So much time and planning has gone into this week and she is just excited as I am. I’m so lucky to have someone like her to help me realise my dream. We go to the hotel where she is staying which is close to where I live. Soon, after checking in, we’re having dinner, being joined with my favorite GG from work – Catriona. This is the wonderful person who has also helped me so much during this past year. This dinner tonight, marks the occasion where we draw the line between my old and new life. On Wednesday we will tell the rest of the staff in my office and on Thursday everyone else in the company - and also, all of our customers.
On the Wednesday morning Teresa and I arrive at the office. Everyone else is already there, as planned. I’m greeted by the receptionist, who gives me a card to mark the occasion, - and a hug. She, together with the two other females that work here, has known my plans for some time. Elaine (another one of the girls) has brought in a cake! – Soon after we’re sitting around a table, with the guys bewildered and wondering what is about to happen – and all the girls already knowing! Teresa starts off by saying that I have an important announcement to make – and afterwards she will answer any HR questions that there may be. So she hands over the meeting to me – and I take a deep breath and begin.
You would have thought that telling a room full of people about your most personal secret would be horrendous. But I feel calm and confident. I’ve really come so far that nothing is going to get in my way now – and certainly not nerves. I start off with a bombshell. "I have a serious genetic medical condition* - which I’ve known about since the age of 12". I now have their undivided attention. I go on to say although it’s not life threatening, it is certainly life changing. I then tell them everything - including my plans to become female. I’m studying their faces as I’m speaking and see sympathy and compassion.
As I finish, the many questions are about to begin. The first one comes from a guy that we had assessed - might - due to his background; find my situation hard to comprehend. I’m ready and expecting something difficult from him. But his question is short, simple and completely floors me. His question is; “What can we do to help you?
Soon I can see everyone else is also committed to help and support me. I am so lucky.
That cake then comes out and a party atmosphere begins. An hour later the decision is made to close the office for the afternoon, so we can all go out for lunch! This wasn’t planned for, but shows just how well everything is going. Soon we’re off to an up market restaurant for the rest of the afternoon.
Come the evening, Teresa, Catriona, Elaine and I,( by now as Suzy ), have one last meal out together – a celebration of a years planning and today’s events. During the meal Teresa tells me she has, as planned, sent an email out to the company’s staff across the rest of Australia.The plan is that her e-mail is ready in everyone’s 'in box' by the next morning. It is to introduce my plans and confirm the company’s support.
By mid morning I sent off my email to all staff ( see this ). (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105320)
By noon on Thursday, everyone in the company had seen both of the emails. I had wondered what they would think about my situation. From the many e-mails of support I received back, I can see the general feeling is not bewilderment, but sadness for what I’ve been through since an early age and admiration for the courage needed to pursue my dreams. Since that time, Catriona has also started to tell the customers and their reponse has also been very accepting and supportive.
I have now gone on leave for a 3-week period. This is designed to give me time to settle into my new life and also time for everyone else to get use to having Suzy in their lives. At this moment I couldn’t feel happier than I do now. Everything seems to be going so well for me. In 3 weeks time I start my dream. I’m sure there are some difficult days ahead of me as I start my transition but with the support from everyone here on the forum and my friends here in Perth – I’m sure I’ll be okay.
We often wonder how others perceive our condition. We might think that many people think we are strange. But it seems the world is changing and everyone is becoming more accepting and aware of our condition.
All Done - A celebration
88239
--------------Suzy -------- Elaine --- Catriona --- Teresa --------------
By the way - Now I can tell you, the company I work for is called OLYMPUS
Not only does Olympus make cameras, we also make Medical Products used in endoscopy and key hole surgery
We all work in the medical division of Olympus
* See BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7689007.stm