An 18-Year-Old Peterborough Transgender Male Launches Crowdfunding Surgery Campaign

An 18-year-old Peterborough transgender male named Kieran Kelly is female to male, pre-op. Kieran started testosterone on March 28th, 2013, marking the start of his physical transition.

Being on testosterone has increased Kieran's quality of life monumentally. Kieran is more confident, and happier all-around.

Picture of Kieran via GoFundMe campaign

The next step for Kieran in physical transition is top surgery to remove any extra breast tissue. The surgery and associated fees come to be about $10,000—something Kieran simply can't afford.

So Kieran has launched a GoFundMe campaign called "Kieran's Top Surgery Fund" in order to make this surgery possible. 

I'm raising money for Kieran's Top Surgery Fund. Click to Donate: http://t.co/wcpxEwdpkl via @gofundme

— Kieran Kelly (@shakieraan) June 12, 2015

Yes, Kieran says, this surgery may seem like something he can go without. But there are many important reasons he wants to make this surgery happen...

• Binding (wearing a chest-compression vest in order to hide any extra breast tissue) is incredibly dangerous and can result in respiratory problems, as well as back problems. Not to mention the fact that it just causes really awful back pain.

• Not having had top surgery means that Kieran can't participate in a lot of things that other people can. For example: Kieran can't go swimming, because wet binders aren't fun to wear and he has yet to find any effective trans-friendly swimwear.

• There is a male role in a musical in Peterborough that Kieran would absolutely love to audition for, but he has to be shirtless on stage at one point.

Most important, he says on the GoFundMe page, "it has a really negative effect on my mental health. Being this unhappy/uncomfortable with your body, and being held back from participating in things takes a really huge toll on your mental health. My happiness is compromised big time by it, and it's all just because I was given two X chromosomes instead of and X and a Y."

Learn more about Kieran's campaign here.

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Peterborough Mandarin MS Family Walk Is May 31st At St. Peters

Over 16,000 participants will come together in the fight to end multiple sclerosis at Mandarin MS Walk events across Ontario this year.

The Mandarin MS Walk is a family oriented, community-supported event that raises funds in support of ending MS.

Participants can choose from varying route lengths, including a wheelchair accessible route for participants using mobility aids. Information on the Peterborough walk is available online here.

The Mandarin MS Walk takes place in 57 communities across Ontario.

The Peterborough Walk takes place Sunday, May 31st at St. Peters Secondary School. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m,. and the walk starts at 10:00 a.m. It's a memorable day you won't forget.

Funds raised from the Mandarin MS Walk support innovative research into the cause, treatment and cure of MS as well as valuable services and programs for Canadians affected by MS.  

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A Child Called 9-1-1 Last Night To Save Their Mother During Domestic Assault

Last night (May 21st), at approximately 11 p.m., police received a 9-1-1 call from a brave child regarding a domestic incident occurring at their Peterborough home.

Officers attended the residence and located the male accused, a 35 year old man, and the victim, a 29 year old woman. The woman was transported to PRHC and treated for her injuries and released. As a result of the investigation, the male was arrested and charged with domestic assault. Through the investigation it was revealed that an assault on the same victim had also occurred earlier in May. The male was subsequently charged with a second count of domestic assault.

"From all the reports that come across my desk, I would say that it is rare for a child to call 9-1-1 to report a domestic violence incident," says Lauren Gilchrist, Communications Coordinator with Peterborough Police Service.

"From what I see, it would be the primary victim that calls 9-1-1, or a neighbour or someone else in the area who hears/sees the incident," adds Gilchrist. "The impacts of domestic violence are far reaching. It is crucial that local families know where they can turn to for resources and help. We need to raise awareness about our community partners who are helping women and children experiencing domestic violence and the collaborative work we do." 

Kudos to this hero child for calling 9-1-1 to protect their mother, and themself.

[Related: Why Are You Walking?, Walk A Mile Peterborough]

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