Chapter 4
That was three years ago and, yes, it was difficult for my parents, even for my elder sisters (Meg thought it was great!). Doctor Mac had talked to my school principal and there were no serious difficulties with teachers: I became Josie to them. But I had to handle it myself with my schoolmates and, yes, that was hard. Many of the boys – some formerly good buddies – were taunting and insulting. Others stayed friendly but didn’t really know how to relate to me. As for the girls, some refused to have anything to do with me, treating me with thinly-veiled contempt, but others were more accepting, some quite intrigued and helpful with advice. Sarah was one of those especially nice girls. I knew that to some extent this would go on as long as I was at this school. Hopefully when I went to university – I wanted to get into the U of T music programme – clarinet my instrument – I would be with a whole new crowd who would know me only as Josie, and things would be different. As for hockey, I quit — there were just too many complications. I outgrew karting, but I got my racing licence and got stints in the BMW — with Dad pit-crewing.
So today, after the car was loaded on our trailer, Dad, Sarah and I made our way home to a birthday party for me. And after dinner Dad handed me an envelope but asked me not to open it until I was alone. So in my bedroom that night, ready for bed, I looked at the envelope. Obviously a card, meaning money, something that would be very welcome. And, yes, when I opened it there was indeed a card, from Mom and Dad. But no money, just a slip of paper. I unfolded it and stared at it in wonder. It was a referral slip from our family doctor, co-signed by Doctor Mac, to a Toronto endocrinologist. The instruction was short: “ MTF HRT as discussed”.
Acceptance! I dissolved in happy tears.