EP 13: Overcoming the Emotional Hurdles of Medical Intervention

Camp Wild Heart

Sometimes kids have a clear vision of what they want and need their body to look like in order to feel affirmed in their gender.

If a child doesn't know that doesn't make them not trans, it just means this stuff is confusing and they aren't sure what they need.

This is one of the main reasons we go slow.

It’s also one of the reasons we always want to be sure that you as a parent have a comprehensive support team to help you through the medical side of transition.

Knowing when it's time or when your kid is ready for medical transition is very difficult to do when you're trying to also manage your own feelings and whether or not you are ready for it.

Today, we're going to hear again from Laura. We first met Laura in Episode 3 and we heard about her journey with her son Lucas and how she found the courage and support to deal with her own feelings about him coming out.

Lucas has been out a while now, and Laura has come back to share with us about what it's like to navigate the medical side of transition with him.

We’ll also hear a bit about a real-life version of Camp Wildheart based in New England. Camp Aranu’tiq is a camp established specifically for trans, nonbinary and gender diverse kids. I had a chance to sit down with Nick, the camp director, and want to share our conversation about the magic of camp.

Check out the full episode to hear about:

• Laura’s journey from being scared for her son’s future to being a “mama bear” advocate and ally
• How getting her son on blockers quickly after he came out has been crucial for his confidence
• Why testosterone and top surgery have been harder for Laura to wrap her brain around
• Why support from parents and professionals who understand the experiences of trans kiddos and their parents is key

Find out more about Nick and Camp Aranu’tiq:

• Camp Aranu’tiq
• Harbor Camps

Find out more about Mackenzie Dunham:

• wildheartsociety.org
• Wild Heart Society on Facebook
• Wild Heart Society on Instagram

Resources:

• Episode 03: I Was Not Ready For This – When Your Child Comes Out as Transgender