Bondage of Self

Born breached, alcoholic, drug addicted, and transgendered, the first steps out of my mother’s womb were the beginning of a world full of guilt, shame, anxiety, anger, fear, and pride, all of which had to be overcome in order to live a life of serenity. It took fifty-three years to approach these challenges as each step was very painful. However, on the other side of the pain came joy, peace, and happiness. It’s a never-ending process but one of great fulfillment. I could have chosen the easy way out and continued with my alcohol and drug use, never disclosing that I was born female living in the body of a man, living life as a lie. But the painstaking steps have allowed the misery to slowly release as I became willing to speak the truths buried so deeply within.

Born breached, alcoholic, drug addicted, and transgendered, the first steps out of my mother’s womb were the beginning of a world full of guilt, shame, anxiety, anger, fear, and pride, all of which had to be overcome in order to live a life of serenity. It took fifty-three years to approach these challenges as each step was very painful. However, on the other side of the pain came joy, peace, and happiness. It’s a never-ending process but one of great fulfillment. I could have chosen the easy way out and continued with my alcohol and drug use, never disclosing that I was born female living in the body of a man, living life as a lie. But the painstaking steps have allowed the misery to slowly release as I became willing to speak the truths buried so deeply within.

Kaitlin Sine Riordan has an MBA from Pfeiffer University in North Carolina and a Bachelors of Art Degree in Economics from the University of Richmond in Virginia. She worked in Operations Management for 25 years with a large southern tobacco manufacturing company and was promoted through the years to Principal Supervisor of Continuous Improvement, a high profile job within the organization. She transitioned on the job from male to female. Kaitlin organized, named, and founded with others, the James River Transgender Society, a support group in Richmond, Virginia. Her lifetime struggle with Gender Identity, lead to alcohol and drug abuse which took her to Palm Springs, California for rehabilitation before having gender reassignment surgery. Kaitlin is the Father (now Mother) of three beautiful children and two step-children and was married twice. Zebedee a Black Labrador Retriever of 11 years has been by her side through the pain, healing, and recovery.