Hi, I'm Samara. I'm a horror novelist, and an Army vet.

For a year, I spoke with legions of professionals all over Michigan trying to pinpoint the cause of the depression and anxiety that have plagued me my entire life. At long last, I finally have my answer. My diagnosis was gender dysphoria, and I received a prescription for estrogen.

Now I am happier than ever—my depression is gone, my self-esteem is through the roof. Now for the next step—the Big Surgery. Fortunately, insurance covers that.

What it doesn’t pay for is hair removal. They say puberty makes you “grow hair in funny places.” If the doctors do this surgery without hair removal, it’s going to grow in some very NOT funny places.

​Once I get over this obstacle, I can take it from here. It would mean everything to me if you could all just reach down with one collective hand and help me up.