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Dear Waleria Torres
It is good to have started writing to you again after that long break.
I will not elevate you to the position of saviour, and I have no doubt you will be grateful for that, but I want you to know you are one of the rocks in my life...not the only one but a very significant one!
Following up on our conversation in June, I have opted to go for radiotherapy. I start on Monday, beginning, as far as I know, with 3 months of testosterone-blocking hormone treatment. I was, I think, very brave, and finally divulged to the hospital that I had an assessment some time ago, showing I was transsexual and that, therefore, I was not troubled by the side effects of the hormone blocking....I think it helped that the radiotherapy team are both women.
While I am inwardly and outwardly relieved to get the cancer treatment under way, even though it is only what they call “early prostate cancer”, I also have an inner excitement at things finally happening on the hormone front, even though moving to transition is not the purpose of the treatment. I’ll tell you how it’s going from time to time.
I think I said we were going away for a short holiday. As nearly always, we went to Norfolk (I have sent you cards from there in past years) and camped at our favourite spot....this was the first time we’d camped in three years and it was so good to get out of doors again and away from the metropolis. Norfolk is that flat round part on the south east coast of England.
I have discovered there is a TG conference there in September, at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, and I’m trying to feel brave enough to go, as its only 150 kilometres for me. I wish you were going, but I remember you said you had given them up. Anyway it is: http://transgender-advice.com/TG09%20Flyer%20-%20v4.pdf
With hugs and affection
G......
Dear Dr. Torres:
Many thanks for your kind e-mail of October 23 and your invitation to be a Honorary Member of your GID Journal.
We both completely agree about the origin and development of gender identity, but not of all of sexual orientation. Therefore I would by you to turn down your friendly invitation. I think that the Bonobo ape is not a classical example for the explanation of human bi- and homosexuality.
Nevertheless, I wish you all the best for your new Journal and your Gender Clinic.
I have still a question:
“Are you the author of “MEU SEXO REAL” and Martha C. Freitas was only your pen name?”
I was very sorry, that I could not find a publisher for a German edition of this excellent book, apart from a different explanation of sexual orientation.
With cordial regards
Sincerely yours,
Günter Dörner
Much has been criticized by .... about Gendercare's evaluation system.
I do not know how the evaluation system works. I DO know that a more primitive type of system, Telecounseling (by tape, telephone, and letter) has been used very successfully by Garret Oppenheim, Ph.D., director of Confide, in the 1980's. From Confide's old brochures, we read:
"Telecounseling is a highly concentrated form of help that uses audiotapes, letters and telephone recordings instead of office visits. Our telecounseling services have found great favor not only with very busy people but with those having difficulty getting to skilled professionals in person. These include the physically disabled, the elderly, the invalid and persons living in areas where expert help is hard to come by. More important, the fact that the CLIENT AND COUNSELOR DO NOT FACE EACH OTHER IN THE CONFINES OF A ROOM ELIMINATES A LOT OF BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION. THE RESULT IS AN EXCHANGE OF EXTRAORDINARY FRANKNESS, WHICH, DEFTLY HANDLED, OFTEN SHORTCUTS CONVENTIONAL METHODS.
Working with telecounseling over the years, Confide has evolved a format called a comprehensive evaluation, or simply a 'comprehensive.' One comprehensive is often as several office visits, and can sometimes give a client's life a whole new direction." (Capitols added)
So, we see that Gendercare seems to be a far more sophisticated form of what Dr. Garrett Oppenheim did in the 70's and 80's with his organization called Confide.
Further, the Confide advisory board had the following members:
Harry Benjamin, M.D. (senior advisor)
Richard Green, M.D.
Charles Ihlenfeld, M.D.
Leo Wollman, M.D.
Walter Futterweit, M.D.
Leah C. Schaefer, Ed.D.
John Money, Ph.D.
Zelda Suplee
Paul A. Walker, Ph.D.
Stanley Biber, M.D.
Nancy Sklar, Ph.D.
Tina Wheeler, Ph.D. (cand.)
Wardell Pomeroy, Ph.D.
and Garrett Oppenheim was the director, assembling a very fine program.
If Confide can work, so can Gendercare.
I have contributed to its journal and GIGS school, but I do NOT know how the evaluation works.
Knowing a comparable system was used by Dr. Oppenheim, I would be glad to know how a sophisticated system of a game for children can work, where the evaluator gets to monitor childrens responses while the child is not under the undue influence, stress, or expectations of the presence of "intimidating professionals", stuffy doctors' offices with noisy secretaries, or in cases of gender evaluation of those with ambiguous genitals, (as Gendercare suggests it also performs) repeated genital examinations, which even John Money suggested may be seen as "nocosomial abuse" by professionals.
Regards,
MI
USA
Dear Dr. Torres,
Thank you very much for the MFX test report which I find fascinating.
I am amazed that it so accurately and concisely reflects my life and feelings up to the present day. I will keep it safe for future reference.
I have taken the MMPI test as instructed,
kind regards,
A.D.
Great Britain
Dr. Torres is the greatest! She really cares for her patients. I am under her care, as I am a MTF in transition.
I would probably be making a lot of mistakes if it was for her guidance, and great wisdom. I trust her with my life.
Anyone who has GID should trust her as totally as I do!
29/10/2006 11:48:28
Bless you and THANKYOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!
For everything you have to offer, I appreciate it alot and it will help me alot !
And I look forward to being a new client(or patient)! THANKYOU AGAIN!
10/09/2006 08:36:03
Hi,
I am not really sure if I am even posting to the right section of the blog but even so I think I would like to make a comment.
My name is Sara currently in the transitional stage of life thanks to Dr Torres who really took the time to understand me in ways no other therapist / counselor / psychiatrist has done before. I found this site like many before me and I am sure will after me by total surprise and then I became very skeptical as to the validity of what was being offered.
I can assure any one reading this that I and you have at last found what you are looking for someone who can really understand you and help you on this difficult journey.
Here is a little bit about me at this point in my life.
I have gained to confidence to open up to people and come out to any one who has asked any thing about me including my family. I have stopped self medicating at the advice of Dr Torres and started a medically supervised regimen at my local hospital and a wonderful OB-GYN.
Thankfully I had not damaged any of my organs or put myself in a position that I could no longer take medication which would have been devastating to me.
So luckily every thing has turn out wonderful for me, I am even going to be meeting with a surgeon that is going to be doing my FFS this month so we can discuss what needs to be done and when.
I hope you to can find your way in life and this is a good place to start Take care,
Sara
02/09/2006 21:04:56
For less than a visit to a unknown psychologist/psychiatrist you\\\'ll be able to start your path toward transition and or learn new things from some loving and helpful guides.
Beats the pants off los medicos typiques.
We\\\'re intersex. Insist on it. But found the process interesting and supportive.
Love Ms. G
28/08/2006 12:35:38
