Overcome Your Struggles and Free Yourself

Dear Readers,

Today you are privileged to meet a lady who has taken a significant step on her journey to live her authentic self. This step takes tremendous courage, courage that Debra Anne has shown in her struggle. Please read Debra Anne's story, and share some words of encouragement and love in the comments below

Debra Anne Embraces Her Authentic Self

[caption id="attachment_3108" align="alignleft" width="336"] Debra Anne goes full time[/caption]

Since the first of May 2015 I have lived full time as Debra Anne.

I knew since the age of 8 or 9 that I didn't feel right in my body, but I didn't understand why. When I was ten I found a pair of my mums knickers in my room and I just felt the urge to put them on. Since then I started to wear them at every opportunity I got. Before long I was dressing in my stepsisters clothes or my mums clothes.

That was forty years ago.

Throughout my teens I continued to explore my feminine side. I dressed and tried makeup. All the time I felt like I was the only person who did this (Ed: The Internet has been such a blessing for transgender people everywhere!).

Then I met someone - I fell in love, got married and had kids. My dressing became even more secretive. Two years ago I had a breakdown, my marriage ended and I started counseling to deal with it. I finally admitted my true feelings and began the hard job of telling my friends and family. This has been met with mixed responses and led to a few suicide attempts. I even got to point of putting noose around my neck but thoughts of my grand kids stopped me.

I started the process of to get my referral to the Gender Identity Clinic, changed my name by deed poll and applied for my driver's license in my female name. Since living as the real me I have started to make steady headway in my recovery. I feel happier, more confident and the reactions of those who've met me as Debra have been amazing.

These may seem only small successes to some but to me they are huge steps. I couldn't have done it though without the support of friends new and old.

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If you are depressed and considering harming yourself please reach out to get help, you can find your local suicide hotline and support online at organizations dedicated to the transgender community. Laura’s Playground runs a chatroom dedicated to helping those in our community through their darkest hours.