VA hospital to assist in transition!

[Danika140]

I just received word that the VA hospital in Iron Mountain, MI will assist me in transitioning!! This is amazing news! I don't know what else to say other than I am extremely happy and relieved that they are able to help me and have assisted other TG people both currently and in the past!

Only hiccup is that I would have to travel to either Milwaukee or Madison, WI to see an Endo but even that's not a big deal because my hometown is 45 mins from Madison and an hour from Milwaukee so I can stay with friends.

Now, I just need to get home from this deployment!!

Has anyone else received assistance from the VA and what were your experiences?

[CharleneT]

Good luck ! Be careful of the VA, the devil is in the details with them.

[Danika140]

I was trained in how to conduct interrogations and resist interrogations. I'm pretty good at telling people what they want to hear to better posture myself for my desired end state ;).

[Danika140]

There is nothing political about the VA hospital treating a veteran. Names, views and opinions of people or administrations were not discussed in my initial posting. After five deployments, I have a pretty good idea who my CinC is ;).

If this does get deleted, that's ok. It won't dampen my spirit of knowing that I can progress with my transition under the same doctors that were treating me before I deployed again for other reasons.

[Michelle.M]

This is great! Sometime last year the federal government issued a standard policy to direct all VA medical facilities to provide a standard menu of transgender-specific care to veterans (depending on availability). This includes HRT, counseling, pre-surgery letters and other procedures previously only offered to women (such as mammograms).

My endo is at the VA, and so is my group therapy and I'm pleased with the care I'm receiving. As long as you can patiently but firmly instruct any VA employee who may yet be unaware of this policy (and even after a year there are some) you'll be fine.

[Danika140]

This is great! Sometime last year the federal government issued a standard policy to direct all VA medical facilities to provide a standard menu of transgender-specific care to veterans (depending on availability). This includes HRT, counseling, pre-surgery letters and other procedures previously only offered to women (such as mammograms).

My endo is at the VA, and so is my group therapy and I'm pleased with the care I'm receiving. As long as you can patiently but firmly instruct any VA employee who may yet be unaware of this policy (and even after a year there are some) you'll be fine.

That's great Michelle! If I may ask, how long have you been transitioning and do you go as your female self? I read that the VA policy is to treat each TG person as their diagnosed gender to include providing them with the appropriate gender facilities such as utilizing the women's latrine. Not sure about co-habitation though. Have you experienced anything similar throughout your visits?

Also, what did you mean by instruct VA employees? Is there something specific I should inform them about should they not be aware of the policy?

[Michelle.M]

That's great Michelle! If I may ask, how long have you been transitioning

Coming up on 2 years now


and do you go as your female self?

Absolutely! I have been in RLE for the past 6 months, so this is the only face I have. Most of the trans veterans (except one) that I know go dressed. I also have a friend who is CD and she goes dressed as well.


I read that the VA policy is to treat each TG person as their diagnosed gender to include providing them with the appropriate gender facilities such as utilizing the women's latrine.

Yes, and they are supposed to address you by the appropriate gender. When I first enrolled as a VA patient they were very careful to do just that. One note - if you have not had your legal name change your records will still use your male name (but providers are still supposed to be respectful of your presented gender and preferred name). People complain about that name on the records thing, but my response is for them to quit fooling around and just get their name changed and get on with life!

As for bathrooms - another of the policies enacted by the Obama administration is that all gender variant people are entitled to have free use of the appropriate restroom in federal buildings for the gender they present as. That's not just VA - that's Social Security, IRS, post office, national parks - everywhere.


Not sure about co-habitation though.

I don't know what you mean by that.


Also, what did you mean by instruct VA employees? Is there something specific I should inform them about should they not be aware of the policy?

Never fails, there's always some idiot who either didn't attend the training or is simply going to give the policy the finger because that's what they think God wants them to do. I don't tolerate that. I know the rules and they should as well.

Print this out and put it in your purse, just in case:

http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2416

And more info:

http://transgenderequality.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/veterans-administration-makes-important-clarification-on-records-policy/

[TeresaL]

As an old Vietnam AFSP veteran with Agent Orange disabilities, I get full TG treatment. That includes transgender therapist, group transgender therapy, a transgender friendly doctor, and hormones.

I always go to the VHA dressed in preferred gender and use the proper restroom for my preferred gender. I've never had a problem or issue.
I also live over fifty miles from the VHA.

[DebbieL]

It was only last year that anyone had done empirical studies of the transgender community and the results were shocking and significant. In a survey covering 10,000 transgenders, they found that half had attempted suicide at least once (statistically, this means about twice as many successfully committed suicide). The other statistics were also pretty dismal, including percentage in the "black economy" (sex workers, drug dealers,...) and that of those who did transition 95% were more productive, more successful, had fewer bouts of depression, fewer suicide problems, and were more successful in the workplace.

Police have been investigating suicides more closely, looking for indications of bullying, hate crimes, and other evidence stored in facebook postings, twitter posts, blogs, and other personal computer and cell phone history. They are now estimating that more than half the teen suicides involve a crisis in sexual identity or sexual preference - being outed, being rejected when disclosing their identity, or being physically threatened or actually attacked after their sexual preference or sexual identity was made public. In effect, 1/2 of all teen suicides may have been hate crime murders.

The cost of HRT and SRS is remarkably low compared to the costs of treating physical and mental health problems caused by conflicts, not to mention the impact on life insurance.

There is also a much higher incidence of trans-phobic and homophobic violence leading to death - the "Matthew Shepard" scenario where the victim is left barely alive - to die AFTER the perpetrators have left - allowing them to plead to 2nd degree manslaughter rather than 1st degree murder with hate crime enhancement. The plea bargain can even result in probation with no jail time in some jurisdictions such as Houston Texas, Wyoming, or Colorado Springs.

We have men who have put their life on the line for their country. Many have faced multiple life-threatening situations, and served their country honorably and well. They may have joined the military hoping to prove their man-hood, hoping to prove they were worthy of respect both as men and as women, or just because they hoped they would be cured of the desire to be girls, but regardless of why they served, if they served honorably, and they are transsexuals, then the best possible and most effective course of treatment is usually transition.

When I was a teen, the Benjemin standards had not even been published. Even by 1992, therapists and medical practitioners regularly tried to push clients/patients to conform their identity to their physical gender rather than changing the body to match the identity.

In 2011, it became unethical to attempt to force someone to try and accept their birth gender.


Treatment aimed at trying to change a person’s gender identity and lived gender expression to become more congruent with sex assigned at birth has been attempted in the past (Gelder & Marks, 1969; Greenson, 1964), yet without success, particularly in the long term (Cohen-Kettenis & Kuiper, 1984; Pauly, 1965). Such treatment is no longer considered ethical.

http://gidreform.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/new-standards-of-care-for-the-health-of-transsexual-transgender-and-gender-nonconforming-people/

Put simply, it is now unethical for a therapist who has used standard diagnostic techniques and confirmed that the patient/client is transsexual, to try and force the transsexual to accept their birth gender.

I just finished reading "Undercover Girl" by Jill Davidson, and it reminded me of how extreme treatements could sometimes be. Had I insisted that I wanted to be a girl any time from 1961, when I was clearly aware of it, to 1977, there is a very good chance that they would have attempted to use electroshock or even lobotomy to force me to accept my birth gender. This may have been why my therapists essentially told me to "Shut up, we can't talk about that" - even though it was clearly a core issue that needed to be dealt with.

It wasn't until 1989 that I met a therapist who actually made it clear that since I was transsexual, there was a very good chance that if Rex tried to kill Debbie, Debbie would try to kill Rex. I started gender counseling and started giving Debbie free expression up to 128 hours a week (all but the hours in the office - when I was under-dressed), and I became remarkably successful, accomplishing far more in less time, being much happier, and being far more helpful to others. Even when my ex-wife tried to have my visitation revoked if I didn't stop the transition, I continued living as Debbie, I just stopped trying to get HRT. Even then, I found myself being far more effective and taking on projects at the national and even international level.

Ironically, when I attempted to "burn the dresses" - stop making ANY public appearances as Debbie, I began to suffer negative consequences. I gained weight, my blood pressure climbed, I had a heart attack. I went back to dressing up a few times a week, and even went out on Halloween and a few times after. I lost about 65 lbs (half what I'd gained), and my health improved. Later, when I got married, I stopped dressing again, because my wife didn't want me going to family functions and church functions. I gained weight and blood pressure and ended up having a stroke and paralyzed on my left side. I eventually recovered and started dressing again, which resulted in a loss of 85 lbs.

Just before my dad died, he told me "Be yourself, Debbie", and I realized that he had seen my facebook postings and knew how important it was to me. He had never been able to accept it before that. When I started to consider transition again, my wife told me that she could not accept that. I didn't stop dressing, but knowing that she couldn't accept transition put me into a deep funk that I'm still struggling with. I've had trouble concentrating at work, I've been getting migraines, and my blood pressure got out of control. I even had a heart episode. I was even having suicidal thoughts and decided to go back into therapy with a therapist who understands transgender issues.

Wouldn't it be ironic if I could have avoided $millions in hospital bills, including asthma attacks, life threatening infections (near death experience during one), misdiagnosed epilepsy, drug addiction, alcoholism, obesity, heart attack, stroke, and depression - just by starting transition when I was 6 or 7 instead of waiting until I was almost 57?

Would an insurance company simply consider it good business to pay for the treatment that most effectively treated the "Root Cause" rather than just doing stop-gap treatment of symptoms - especially if the root cause was easily diagnosed?

[Michelle.M]

Debbie, this is very informative and well stated. But how does this relate to the OP's questions regarding medical treatment from the VA for transgender veterans?

[Danika140]

Debbie, this is very informative and well stated. But how does this relate to the OP's questions regarding medical treatment from the VA for transgender veterans?

With respect to Debbie, unless I completely missed the intent, she is stating and experienced some of the very things I've thought about over the years. "What will happen if I keep trying to suppress it?" "Will I be able to love and be the "normal" guy a woman wants to be with?" "What if I transition and I realize that it's not what I wanted?" Things like that. Even now, I find myself really caring about a woman who accepts that I am TS to the point that she wants to go shopping together and see me out en femme. But where does the urges stop and where is the line at that she no longer accepts. These are questions I don't have the answers to but is causing to really think about how attached I am getting to people. It's really a double edge sword because I feel so much happier that I am being accepted but then I am still compromising with myself. On the other hand, I could alienate myself to ensure I don't get too attached to someone to stay focused on my desired end goal and risk being on my own throughout the whole process.

Everyone's input has been well received and I am truly thankful for the time and effort each of you has put into answering my question. I know in my heart that I will never be truly whole or satisfied until I transition so that's what I am going to do.

[Sandra]

Deleted a couple of post as the op was responding, and seeing as the OP replied I've un-deleted the posts.

[TeresaL]

Like Michelle, I am extremely pleased with the VA (VHA) treatment for our medical issue. I go to
Roudebrush VA at Indy weekly. I wouldn't dare go in male drab mode because that would be crossdressing in public. LOL

Hey, your last post might better helped by starting a new thread. Ya could have more detailed answers. Just sayin.

My opinions are not proffessional of course, but I like to take a stab at answering of course. But it's to hard to read what I've typed on the cell phone.

In regards to your transitioning, is surgery what you are seeking? If so, VA does not do GRS/SRS under the old 2011 directive, which expires this month.

[Danika140]

Sandra, I'm in Afghanistan so it may appear that I am not replying due to the time zone difference. I was wondering where all the posts were going lol.

Teresa, Surgery is what I want and I remember reading that the VA will not provide that service which is ok since they are assisting me with the therapy sessions and hormones.

[TeresaL]

Gotcha.
It will be interesting to see if the VA drafts up a more promising directive. Though getting the current treatment is nothing to be sneezed at. AMA sees the need for insurance purposes. APA seems to say that there is nothing wrong with us. My VA therapist said there is nothing wrong with us. We just didn't get the societal opinionated correct dosage of hormone bath when we were a fetus. I'm now ok with that, and you are with whatever level it is that your brain chemistry requires for survival. Get that... I'm Ok, you're Ok. LOL

I've litterally fought an extenuating battle with my SO for twenty years until this proclamation became reality. My adult children brought my SO to this realization. They support me as their dad even if I undergo the knife. And they've taught my SO about the transgender life with more understanding then I've ever dreamed. I'm so much more happy and pleased to go out as Teresa, and not be hassled if I return in makeup, wig, and attire.

Insofar as I know, I pass well enough to shop, comingle, and chat with people I meet. I do not dare use mens facities any where. I am very happy for an opportunity to be a woman 24/7. Hope that for you too.

[Danika140]

I agree, it will be interesting to see how the policy will change after this current election. I feel that I am very fortunate to be getting help by the VA as that really helps lift a lot of financial burdens associated with transitioning. Like others, I feel so at peace and more calm when I am being myself. I've found that dealing with my PTSD is easier as well.

I've never been passable but I've never really had a chance to become truly comfortable as a full time female. Fortunately, I have a cousin and friends who want to help "condition" me as a female. I actually can't wait to be a full time female but I know it's going to take a lot of work and patience but it's something I am willing to do.

[Britney Johnson]

Hi Danika and Ladies... This is a great thread. I am currently AD AF, and am looking to transition once I retire in just 20 months, for a total of 24 years... YAY!... I have been so afraid to ask my Primary Care Manager about any of this due to possibly being relieved of duty. So, I have been using an Endo outside of the required means, which helps me ease much of my anxiety in needing to progress even though at a slow rate. I am paying for everything so far, out of my own pocket, which isn't too bad. I even spoke with a therapist, which is never cheap, who diagnosed me with GID (which I already knew...lol). I have heard of a few girls utilizing the VA, but was never sure where they started, and how much was acceptable. It is always scary to me to step out and run into someone that I know. Thanks for the thread and all the answers. I am sure that there are a lot of other girls asking this same question and scared to step out. Hugs and Thanks again...

[Danika140]

Congrats on nearing your retirement! For the same reasons you've mentioned, I never disclosed to my PCM that I am trans while on AD either. Some of my closest friends knew since I told them and knew they wouldn't say anything. I'd ask you what your AFSC is, but as we both know, the AF is a very small world and I don't want to narrow that window down for anyone who may have stumbled here. OPSEC is after all, important for mission completion right ;). If you're still uneasy about seeing a therapist in person then I recommend contacting Dr. Carl Bushong. He does phone sessions anywhere in the world. I had a few sessions with him while stationed in Germany and was very pleased with how he covered everything. Very friendly and jovial.

[Michelle.M]

I am currently AD AF, and am looking to transition once I retire in just 20 months, for a total of 24 years...

That's exactly what I did.


I have been so afraid to ask my Primary Care Manager about any of this due to possibly being relieved of duty.

Yes, that would be a bad idea. Some girls will pipe up and say "Well, I had this military friend and she told and nothing bad happened to her." but that's betting your future on someone else being irresponsible and not doing their job. That's not a wise risk. In the military odds are people will do their job if they don't want to get into hot water themselves.


So, I have been using an Endo outside of the required means, which helps me ease much of my anxiety in needing to progress even though at a slow rate. I am paying for everything so far, out of my own pocket, which isn't too bad.

Again, precisely what I did and it couldn't have worked out better!


I have heard of a few girls utilizing the VA, but was never sure where they started, and how much was acceptable.

You'll start with the VA after you retire. A day or 2 after my retirement date I went to get my retired ID card, with the correct name and photo on it. That was fun! (I mean really). No hassles and the young Soldier doing the paperwork got nervous about trying to make sure to treat me with respect. I had to calm him down just I could stop laughing and get something done!

After that I went and registered with the VA and have been seeing them ever since. They are beginning to see this as not being all that extraordinary.

[AudreyTN]

I just received word that the VA hospital in Iron Mountain, MI will assist me in transitioning!! This is amazing news! I don't know what else to say other than I am extremely happy and relieved that they are able to help me and have assisted other TG people both currently and in the past!

Only hiccup is that I would have to travel to either Milwaukee or Madison, WI to see an Endo but even that's not a big deal because my hometown is 45 mins from Madison and an hour from Milwaukee so I can stay with friends.

Now, I just need to get home from this deployment!!

Has anyone else received assistance from the VA and what were your experiences?

great news. I am receiving help from the V.A. as well

I get

speech therapy through the Audiology department
hormones through Endocrinology
GID therapy which is outsourced to a private practioner.

also, any appointments requiring you to drive to and from, whether at the V.A. or outsourced to a private practice...be sure to get your travel pay. they will reimburse you mileage.

for private practice outsourced appointments, make sure you create a spreadsheet or form of sorts, with their name, address, phone #. date and time of your visit. put your full name, SS#, and address on it. you and your therapist or outsourced doctor will need to sign and date for each appointment, and then you both need to sign and date at the very bottom, then submit it to the travel pay office located in the VA Hospital, and make them give you a copy for your records.

I have a check for $600 on the way for reimbursement. $38 roundtrip for each appointment, and I submitted 16 at once for May - October.

that can go towards hair removal, breast implants, or in savings for your surgery.

[TeresaL]

Wow. Glad you have taken advantage of such a great opportunity. I need to check on the audiology department. My group therapy supposedly works with voice and speech, but haven't seen it happen in yet. It might be a wasted session for the FtM guys in my group to sit through the session since they get an excellent male voice from T. Too bad MtF TG's can't have hormones for shrinking a larger more resonant voice box and leaving us with pleasant female voice.

[Danika140]

great news. I am receiving help from the V.A. as well

I get

speech therapy through the Audiology department
hormones through Endocrinology
GID therapy which is outsourced to a private practioner.

also, any appointments requiring you to drive to and from, whether at the V.A. or outsourced to a private practice...be sure to get your travel pay. they will reimburse you mileage.

for private practice outsourced appointments, make sure you create a spreadsheet or form of sorts, with their name, address, phone #. date and time of your visit. put your full name, SS#, and address on it. you and your therapist or outsourced doctor will need to sign and date for each appointment, and then you both need to sign and date at the very bottom, then submit it to the travel pay office located in the VA Hospital, and make them give you a copy for your records.

I have a check for $600 on the way for reimbursement. $38 roundtrip for each appointment, and I submitted 16 at once for May - October.

that can go towards hair removal, breast implants, or in savings for your surgery.

Audrey,

Thank you so much for the added information! I didn't realize the VA provided any kind of speech therapy. I did know about the reimbursable mileage but never opted for it before. Then again, I never considered to put that toward other misc transition needs outside of VA services so I will definitely do that! I live 45-50 minutes from the VA hospital in MI but to see the Endo, I'll have to travel five hours to Madison, WI. Could be a nice return :)

[Jana]

Good for you! The little commute should be the least of your worries now. Keep things in perspective. Good luck!

[Mary Lee]

great news.
speech therapy through the Audiology department
hormones through Endocrinology
GID therapy which is outsourced to a private practioner.

What about learning female mannerisms like eating in public, standing, sitting, hand motion, how to act when interfacing with others and whatever else.



I am a 65-year-old Vietnam Vet. I have been going to private doctors for therapy and HRT. Yes, I should have been born a female.

I am in the Cleveland OH area.

I have been trying to get IU, PTSD and diabetes, for several years but for some reason the VBA does not think so even if all the medical proof is there; I receive SSDI and 90% from the VA. I worry that if the VBA reads in my progress notes that I am getting treatment for GID and HRT to become a female, with or without SRS, that that will be used against me for my IU. I have been but am not currently on HRT.

One doctor wrote in my progress notes that I presented with a red cane, why not just a cane. I would hate to see what might be written if I wore black bikini panties with a matching bra.

I am very frustrated with the situation.

[Jorja]

I would hate to see what might be written if I wore black bikini panties with a matching bra.

It would say you are normal.

[Mary Lee]

It would say you are normal.

Love your reply. Thanks

[TeresaL]

What about learning female mannerisms like eating in public, standing, sitting, hand motion, how to act when interfacing with others and whatever else.

First of all, FtM guys are in my group and can't benefit with a bunch of female stuff to enhance their maleness.

Only so much can be taught in one hour per a month. Last Friday, our group discussion was on changing gender markers and names. That took up the whole session. Previously, the topic was about dealing with discrimination when we go out.

Regarding the discrimination issue, somehow I fly under the radar and blend in. I've yet to experience being outed, although I worried when I was with an over the top TG the other day. She was too flamboyant, loud, and wearing a dress when jeans were worn by all the GGs in the VA hospital around us. When a vet's wife stared persistently and strongly at her, I waited for her eyes to flick my way. Whew, those cold eyes never did. ...and I do want FFS. Maybe I suffer from pink cloud angels looking over my shoulder.


I am a 65-year-old Vietnam Vet. I have been going to private doctors for therapy and HRT. Yes, I should have been born a female.

I am in the Cleveland OH area.
I'm 65-year-old Vietnam vet as well, and live in the next state over from you. Yep,being born a female would've been better, provided the transgender genetics didn't get me there too. Being a cis gender of either gender would be most helpful IMO. Problem is, I've accepted, adapted, adopted, and as of late -- I'm kind of enjoying the transgirl in me. Who woulda thunk? Ya think? Just sayin'.



I worry that if the VBA reads in my progress notes that I am getting treatment for GID and HRT to become a female, with or without SRS, that that will be used against me for my IU. I have been but am not currently on HRT.

One doctor wrote in my progress notes that I presented with a red cane, why not just a cane. I would hate to see what might be written if I wore black bikini panties with a matching bra.
VA Transgender care is what it is, and HRT is a necessity for that care to prevent suicide or other issues due to GID depression amongst other reasons. The VA is taking good care, right up to but not including SRS. President Obama endorsed the 2011 directive to be in effect until the end of November 2012, and he is really strong for human rights. A new and improved directive could be in the works. I hope.