Letters to the Editor

Dear Virginia,

My first recollection of dressing was at age nine or ten with my mothers dresses, high heels and stockings. While my parents found this amusing at first it soon became a source of irritation to my father, who after a half dozen such incidents, for- bade any further "nonsense". That first stern rep- rimand left a feeling of shame especially as I wanted to continue dressing as a girl. This feeling of shame grew in the years that followed until as a teen-ager I could not bear to see my reflection in mirrors or store windows. Afraid to make friends who might discover my terrible secret, I kept to my- self but still dressed in my sisters clothing at every opportunity, although despising myself for it.

At age 15 my parents found me semi conscious on the kitchen floor in great pain. From that time on for a period of over thirty years I suffered from migraine headaches, some so severe as to distorte my vision and because of a roaring sound in my head my hearing also grew dim or faded completely. Over the years I saw many doctors, had complete exami- nations, was x-rayed, given injections, short wave therapy, massage and drugs that kept me in a half awake and oftentimes indifferent attitude towards my surroundings. The severe attacks as described above were spaced at intervals of four or five per week, and lasted six to ten days. The lesser vari- ety (bad enough) allowed me to carry on everyday activities but always with a pounding in my head that made my disposition anything but sweet. As I

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