I am a non-binary transgender individual. Specifically, pangender. It has always been hard for me in school due to social isolation and misgendering from my peers; I tend to stay quiet most of the time, and I still do when I am perceived wrong. I've never felt connected to a single gender and constantly change my appearance without finding satisfaction. My dysphoria presents in conflicting ways, sometimes I love feeling feminine, but hate my feminine voice. Sometimes I feel more masculine yet wish to be perceived as androgenous. I never have it figured out, but it is hard to when you're shunned for trying different things. I never heard or considered the possibility of being transgender, because I was not educated on it. I only considered that there were two genders out there, and even though I supported transgender people at the time, I didn't know anything about their experiences. If I had learned of my "differences" sooner, I would have felt relief that I wasn't the odd one out. I wish I had learned it was never something wrong with me that I should be ashamed of, and that there is a beautiful, interesting, tragic, and long history of LGBTQ+ people out there. I had thought that everyone had felt uncomfortable in their own skin for a long time. I thought everyone was like me, and just too scared to show it. Then I thought I was alone in this, and no one was like me, there wasn't even a label for how I felt. I have volunteered at my local hospital numerous times, and it is heartbreaking to try and help people who are so ashamed of their own bodies, transgender or not, that they won't let themselves be seen by the people who are caring for them. They are ashamed of how they look, so they cover themselves up with blankets and refuse care. I've lived this so far and I feel it every day. This is exactly why I aim to help people feel comfortable in their own skin, as I have never felt comfortable in mine. I plan to pursue a career in plastic surgery after completing my education. With my role, I am able to perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, which includes expertise in performing transgender affirming surgery, such as "bottom", "top", and other sex change surgeries. I would be able to help people feel more masculine, feminine, or androgenous. The area of healthcare has always been my special interest, but I enjoy advocacy too, and this opportunity would be able to make my voice and advocating for transgender folk, heard. My own experiences would help further education on the subject, as well as help connect my experiences with my patients.