Help cover some financial costs for 2Spirit Kara Louttit! 

Waciye friends, family & community ❤️🖤🏳️‍⚧️

• The Intro:
  Hey everyone, for those who don't know me, my name's Kara Louttit, I am Mushkegowuk-Eeyou Cree, and a trans non-binary 2Spirit living on unceded Algonquin territory here in Ottawa, ON. 
  
  From as early as I can possibly remember, I have always known I was different in my body. From the time I could verbalize my own wants and needs, I have always refused femme-presenting gendered clothes - dresses, skirts. I have never felt like a woman, and I do not feel like a man, either. 
  
  I did not know what non-binary meant until about a decade ago. Over the years exploring gender identity, facing internalized transphobia because I wasn't trans, right? But I am. Realizing not falling under the gender binary of man or woman can fall under the trans umbrella, and truly becoming proud of who I am has been an incredible journey over the past few years. I really just wanted to be someone I could have looked up to as a child myself.
  
  
  
• The Hard Stuff (ugh, vulnerability)
  I made the decision to get top surgery in September 2025 when I first asked my family doctor for a referral. 
  
  I was still married at the time of my decision. With all the love, care and support for each other, my ex-wife and I decided to end our marriage earlier this past summer. 
  
  I moved out on my own on September 10th. The same day I received the call from OHIP that my top surgery was approved. My top surgery is scheduled for November 24th.
  
  It was not a happy call. It threw me into a spin. I moved to Ottawa in 2016 for my ex-wife. Nearly everyone I knew here knew me in relation to her.
  
  What did this mean for my community of friends and supports? Who was even in my circle, my community, anymore? What was my recovery from surgery going to look like? I was looking ahead where I will be in my most vulnerable space and wondering who will even be part of this journey. It was really hard navigating all of these thoughts and feelings. 
  
  It's been a hard past couple months rebuilding a life I wanted to live. 
  
  But here I am, living a life I am looking forward to waking up to every day:  in a body that will soon match my own internal image of myself
  
  As the child, grandchild, and great-grandchild of multiple residential school survivors in my family, I learned how to cope through hyper-independence. A trauma response where I felt I couldn't depend on anyone growing up, and so I learned how to do everything myself without needing anyone for help. 
  
  That has been the toughest lesson for me to learn through the past several months: How to ask for help.
  
  And I have learned when I ask for help from my loved ones, that people will show up when you ask. 
  
  
  
• The Financial Ask
  While my double mastectomy itself is fully covered by OHIP, I still require some further gender-affirming care in the form of contouring, removing extra leftover skin to ensure my body looks and feels the way it should. 
  
  The financial costs comes up to $7,350 ($6,500 + HST). 
  
  I may have insurance coverage that could cover up to 80% of these costs: $5,880. 
  
  This leaves me with $1,470 to cover financially (as long as insurance covers the 80%). 
  
  My mom is coming to Ottawa for five days to assist me in my immediate recovery. I am also looking to cover her financial costs: flights, car rental, food, etcetera - approximately $1,500 
  
  In total, I am financially asking for help to cover my out of pocket expenses that would come out to approximately $3,000. 
  
  
  
• Post-Surgery
  I will be recovering for six weeks. I will be off work on medical leave for two weeks (November 24th - December 7th). 
  
  If you cannot financially assist me (and that is totally ok!!!!), I would appreciate everyone sharing and amplifying my fundraiser. 
  
  For my local friends and family here in Ottawa - I am also starting a Meal Train that I can share with those of you interested who would like to assist me in making sure I am eating properly. I won't be able to lift anything above 5lbs, or lift my arms above my shoulders for the first couple weeks. For anyone who wishes to help organize a meal, drop off food, or send gift cards, I can send you the link ❤️
  
  
  
• Chi-Meegwetch
  If you have made it this far - chi-meegwetch for reading. This was incredibly hard to write, and even harder to share 🖤
  
  I have been feeling all the love & care from those of you who have kindly asked how they can help me post-recovery. Whether you have the ability to help or not, I appreciate each and every one in my life who has been supporting me through this decision over the past 14 months. 
  
  With the entirety of my heart - meegwetch, thank you - for everyone who continues to support me. 
  
  

With love,
Kara
❤️🏳️‍⚧️

PS: No AI was used in writing this post 😅 All me, baby. I am a policy writer, after all.