26.

FROM PATIENT TO DOCTOR

A Transvestic History by CHARLOTTE

Editor's Introductory Note: This history was submitted by a doctor friend of the subject who vouches for its authenticity. The story itself is so long that it must carry over into Issue #10 In addition Sue will be Cover Girl in that issue.

My parents were both highly educated and did not marry until they were comparitively old, then it was seven years be- fore I, their only child was born. There was never any real intimacy between father and I--he was too old and dignified. Put I did respect him immensely. He was, and still is, a con- stant inspiration and his success a goal for me. Mother was far more affectionate-loving us both-and never did I feel any- thing but the closest bond with her. She was ever friend and companion as well as Mother.

When I was 11, Father was suddenly and horribly killed in the course of his work The shock nearly killed Mother too. I can honestly say that it was principally due to my ef orts that Mother didn't go completely to pieces. As soon as things were settled Mother and I moved to another town, Mother wish- ing as much as possible to remove herself from old associations We settled down in the new town living for the first few months a very quiet life. Our move was made soon after the first of the year and as I was already advanced in school Mother decided that I should skip school until the next fall She and I, always close, grew even closer--we had little con- tact with others. Too, our house was in a sparsely settled area. There was only one other house in the block, and this belonged to the E---8. then, late in the Winter when I was just 12, I became ill with rheumatic fever. It is a partic- ularly vicious childhood disease, running it's course for mon- ths and carrying with it an almost certainly damaged heart. The treatment consists of utter quiet in bed- for endless weeks. As I lay in bed for month after month I almost went crazy. One doesn't feel hadly with the disease so the enforced quiet