Sabrina is not afraid of change
LISA HONEYBONE -
Last updated 05:00 17/06/2010
Accept me or leave me alone. That's the message from Forrest Hill resident Sabrina Roi who has made the decision to change from a male to a female.
Choosing to identify as a woman, Sabrina says she has known since she was little that she was trapped in a male body.
She attended Forrest Hill Primary and Wairau Intermediate before going on to
"I rebelled a lot, I didn't want to be there."
She was a boy throughout high school but acted in a girl's manner, she says.
At age 18, Sabrina began cross-dressing and on her 21st birthday made it official to everyone that she was transgender.
She is now taking time out to focus on the transition.
Sabrina has regular therapy and says she is not confused.
"I no longer want to be a man."
When she has been given a final assessment by a therapist she will begin hormone treatment.
She will take the hormones for two years before travelling to
There are no surgeons in
The surgery is costing US$100,000. She is hoping to raise that amount over the next three years.
Sabrina says she's feeling great about the surgery.
"When I've had the operation I'll be able to live my life the way I've always wanted."
Sabrina's siblings and parents support her decision to have the operation.
She says people poke fun and tease her but they should know her before they judge her.
"Others need to accept that transgender people are part of life and part of society."
MIND SET: Sabrina Roi, 22, will need to raise $150,000 to
pay for a sex change operation in