“Without the Public Defender’s Office and my determination, none of this would have happened. It’s a victory not just for me, but for the entire trans community.”
Assisted by the Ceará Public Defender’s Office (DPCE) since 2022, musician Tarcísio Brito, 27 years old, fulfilled a dream on May 23rd. After having several requests denied by Unimed to undergo a mastectomy (total removal of the breasts), he secured this right in court and finally had the surgery in a hospital in Fortaleza.
Tarcísio sought the procedure because he considered it essential for the formation of his identity. He is a trans man. However, Unimed argued that the intervention was aesthetic, contradicting guidelines from national and international health organizations, in addition to the plan’s own medical reports, which indicated the need for surgery.
To alleviate the impact on family income, he is awaiting the release of the compensation he is entitled to for the moral and psychological damages caused by the health plan denials. Unimed has already deposited the amount, which will be accessed by Tarcísio as soon as the Court authorizes it.
The young man explains the importance of money at this stage of the procedure: “I have a drain in the surgery area and, when I remove it, I will need to wear special vests until the end of July to protect the stitches and the operated area. I’m taking antibiotics and painkillers, but my diet is also changing and, soon, I’ll have to pay for physiotherapy, which probably won’t be covered by the plan. It’s a whole process until you return to normal life. And everything generates costs. Compensation will help with that.”
The Defender’s Office has been working to speed up the release of the amount. Meanwhile, Tarcísio counts on the help of family and close friends. “As we don’t know the reason for the delay in releasing the compensation or when this wait will end, I held a raffle and some people showed solidarity. With what I raised, I covered a third of the expenses: I bought one of the three vests I need to use, and that alone amounted to R$240, plus part of the medicine. Now we have to wait for the judge to release the money”, he points out.
Meanwhile, Tarcísio dreams about the future. With the day he can enter the sea. Reborn in the waters. “The first thing I asked the doctor was when I could go to the beach. I really want to take a swim in the sea and feel the water hitting my chest. It’s an achievement, you know? A freedom. On the day of surgery, he was nervous. But he did everything fine. And today, after the mastectomy, I can say that it is 100% me. I want to explore the world”, he says.
By Ezatamentchy
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.