The Lads

[u/FTMhelpingyoutodiy]

I want to talk about the people.

The story's about me, but the truth is I'd never have made it without them.

I was twenty-five, living in a flat in Galway with nobody to talk these feelings out with.

And then one night I typed something into a forum and a stranger in Limerick replied. "Welcome. You're not mad, and you're not alone."

After that I was on every night. There was a lad in Cork who'd been through it all the year before me, and he'd text me how's the head today? There was a woman in Waterford who talked me down at four in the morning when I was sure I waa going to lose all my friends and family. There was a fella over in Glasgow who sent me a photo of his first proper shave, grinning like he'd won the Sam Maguire. I sent him mine a few months later, and we became good friends.

They taught me about thing's nobody else could, They supported me from cutting my hair to changing my wardrobe and helping me find a good supplier for T.

They were the first people to call me Darragh, Even before my own family.

A few years in, five of us met up in a pub in Athlone, We sat in the pub for hours, and not one of us had to explain a thing. I drove home that night like I was floating.

But...

It wasn't the easy road, and I'd tell anyone starting diy now to get a doctor involved as soon as possible if they possibly can.

But I'll say this plainly:

I'm happier now than I ever thought I'd be. I wake up as myself. I live my life as myself and I've found people I couldn't imagine life without now and

I couldn't be happier.

[u/CazConnolly]

I really like this shows how communities will always come together to show support and strength, and strangers are only friends we haven't met yet