I'd like to introduce you to Bella and her story

My name is Bella Simpson; I am a 17 year old transgender girl who was born a boy. When I was little I never had many friends or was very confident, I used to collect dolls, and they used to be my only friends. They would live out the life I never could. After my parents separated a family friend helped us set up a dress up box full of old ball gowns and a wedding dress. These outfits were my life. I wore them everywhere, except school. Then my father decided to get me some real clothes, like female jeans and tops, which I wore even more then the gowns. 

My plan was I would wait until I got to high school then start high school as a girl. But of course like most young kids I got very impatient and decided when I was 11 that I wanted to start wearing girl’s clothes to school. Our family friend went straight into the principal’s office to let them know that it was ok and to offer support. 

When I was 12 I was put on blockers which blocked puberty so I had time to make sure that I could decide whether I was doing the right thing in my own time. Getting on the blockers wasn't a quick decision; I had to see a psychologist and a counsellor. When I was 15 I went to see a psychologist to be put on female hormones. The psychologist turned me down and told me I was too young. So I went back the next year and was given the all clear. 

At the moment I am on 2 mlg of estrogene a day and I still get the blockers injections every 3 months, this makes sure that the testosterone doesn't takeover. Over the last 6 years I have meet so many amazing people and done so many great things I wouldn’t have done if I hadn’t had the courage to come out 6 years ago. I don’t know what is going to happen in the future, but I am just lucky to have come out when I did.