Meet Merrick
Merrick's story
Thrive Fund recipient
Merrick (they/them) is a non-binary individual living in a state where access to gender-affirming care is limited and social support can feel scarce. Despite being the sole provider for their household, Merrick is determined to pursue their transition goals, including obtaining top surgery.
Currently, Merrick is working with a trans-inclusive therapist to secure the required letter of support for insurance coverage of their surgical consultation. However, financial constraints have made it difficult to attend therapy sessions as regularly as their therapist recommends. This delay is a significant hurdle in their journey toward aligning their body with their identity.
Receiving support from the Thrive Fund would enable Merrick to attend six months of weekly therapy sessions, meeting their therapist’s requirements and allowing them to progress toward top surgery. Beyond aiding their transition, regular therapy sessions would also help improve Merrick's mental health, offering much-needed stability and connection in a time of increasing isolation. With a clear path to their goals and the support they need, Merrick is ready to take this next crucial step in their transition journey.
Merrick's timeline
-
Award Granted
December 27, 2024
Merrick was awarded a Thrive Fund award!
Grant details
$2,500 towards gender-affirming care.
Donate
Help us support more people like Merrick get the care they need and deserve.
About Healthcare Letters
On average, it costs $2,000+ for Merrick's care.
- What is it?
- Before care
- Accessibility
- After care
What is it?
Many insurers who cover gender affirming HRT or surgery require letters from mental health professionals verifying that the individual in question is trans and that the requested procedure is, in fact, the most effective treatment for the person. Some surgeons will also require this letter, or a letter verifying physical health, before moving forward with surgery, even if the patient is not using insurance.
What is life like for a person who needs this care?
Without these letters, folks often have a hard time proving that their procedure is gender affirming and it is often denied as "cosmetic."
How accessible is it for trans folks to receive this care?
For many trans folks, especially those who have been victims of medical discrimination, accessing these letters means finding a new provider and paying multiple copays before there is a sufficient relationship for the provider to write the letter. For those seeking physical clearance letters, sometimes the process can involve medical testing that can be expensive without insurance.
What is the impact of this care on the recipient’s life?
Access to health letters open a wide variety of doors for folks seeking gender-affirming care of all sorts.