The origins of the project began when I wrote down a list projects I’d like to cover in the upcoming year in 2008. I always make lists. Lists that contain ideas to educate the community. Lists to educate myself. I usually try to choose topics that intrigue me, not necessarily topics that stir controversy. They are usually issues I would like to know more about so I can formulate my own opinion. Issues to bridge the confusion gap among the masses. I remember seeing an episode of Oprah or one of those daytime talk shows that featured a male to female doctor in Maine. I contacted her and she referred me to Boston Medical. I got in touch with a doctor there but no good leads. I shared my idea with writer Karen Lovett, I knew the second she heard about it she was in love. I was enthusiastic too, but she ran with it. Within about two or three weeks of hunting Karen found the perfect individual, Cynthia.

I have to admit, a story like this only comes by once in a lifetime. And Cynthia, is a once in a lifetime person. Yes, there is no hiding it, the more I came to discover Cynthia as a person and her ordeal, the more I sympathized with her and grew fond of her. She was a once shy man now a confiednt woman. However, she had one last step to make.

I wasn’t sure what to expect it to be like in Montreal. I had a few shoots with Cynthia before leaving for Canada and knew we would get along throughout her story, her process. The Mod Chick Mafia was very boisterous to say the least. They definatley were the original Get-along-gang. Karen and I drove up there in about four to five hours and we checked into our hotel. We ate dinner that night, gathered and asked questions. I had a few equipment malfunctions but made due with what I had. I will never forget the look of Cynthia’s face the last day she was with her crew because she knew she’d come a man and leave a woman.

Karen arranged for us to have access weeks before arriving but as always, life is never as you plan. Dr. Brassard at first said, “No,” to us being there for the actual operation but after showing him the newspaper and telling him exactly the intent of us being there he graciously let us into his operating room. I don’t blame him, he has experienced bad press in the past but I think he knew we had a different purpose.

Watching the eyes of Cynthia that morning was nerve-wracking. I almost thought she’d either be sick or get cold feet. But oh no, she lived up to the hype. After her last few goodbyes, she was in the room and on the operating table. They attacked her from all sides, as she described, a NASCAR pit crew. They injected her from her nose to her fingertips.

The ambiance was unlike I’d expect. It was relaxed, laid back and nothing like television. Each incision was clean and precise. It was not bloody or gory. It was more like Discovery Channel, informational. The sounds of French music, rag time and jitterbug music came soothly over the sound system. The workers were fast, efficient and dilligent. It was like clockwork. Next thing you know it’s over. I remember them taking the tubes out of Cynthia, her first words were, “Where’s Corey? Where’s Karen?” Her voice was a bit distorted from the tubing being in her throat but I made out the words.

The coming weeks were for needed recovery. We both wanted to continue her story from a personal persoective but Cynthia decided not to let her mother into the picture. You see, Cynthia lives with her mom and felt it would not be a good idea to let her know the media was telling her story to the world. I could tell she wanted us to continue to document but that wouldn’t happen in her personal space, her home. We both understood.

The results of this work gained recognition on YouTube, got Cynthia an interview with Canada’s press wire service and a few speaking engagements. It also informed the public. It also got some subscriptions cancelled. It also got some mean comments posted to the internet.

Okay, for the record, I belong to a pretty conservative church. However, on a personal level, I’m pretty middle of the road. I have my conservative elements as well as my liberal. The glass is neaither half empty or half full, it’s just half So, the comments made and subscriptions cancelled just baffled me. I was suprised at the negative feedback telling us this was not news. I think to the people who said those things or cancelled their papers, need to digest this story the most. I won’t go too much further but it’s just sad to see people defaulting to ignorance. Coexistance is always the best policy even if you disagree.

I think the thing I’m most proud of is I’ve made an unexpected lifelong friend. I’m also proud of the message and knowledge we’ve spread and will continue to spread. I think I grew from this assignment the most this year. The greatest lesson learned? Transgendered individuals are people,  just like you and me.

Enjoy the selection of pictures you may have seen and some that never made it to press.

Cynthia receives a complimentary shot of hairspray from Cindy Poulin at Spider Bite salon in Manchester. Since 2006, Cynthia has lived full time as a woman. She has come out to her friends, family and co-workers. However, she still needs that one operation to make it offical.

Known as John Jay Tebbets growing up in Manchester, John would buy women’s clothing, dress up in secret, then realized something was different, he didn’t want to be a boy anymore. Almost 40, he spiraled into a depression pushing him to the brink of suicide. That scare forced him to throw a light on a secret he’d been keeping even from himself: in order to live, and to be happy, John Jay would need to change.

After a few years of saving the $20,000 necessary for the surgery, Cynthia’s change would come.

Cynthia gathers belongings from her car at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie in Montreal. A sticker reading NOBODY KNOWS I’M A LESBIAN, is Cynthia’s way of being humerous about her situation. Even though she is now living full-time as a woman, she is still attracted to females. Thus, making her to be a self-made lesbian.

Cynthia reacts after receiving a letter from Anne Boedecker, a transgender therapist, at Boedecker’s office in Bow. The letter, which declares, Boedecker’s support for Tebbetts’ sexual reassignment surgery, is required for all seeking to transition from one gender to the next. Cynthia said it was one of the happiest moments in her male to female progression.

Cynthia checks out her freshly painted nails while they dry at Spider Bite in Manchester. She loves dressing as a woman and plays the part well having her nails done once or twice a month. Her favorite colors are pink and lavender.

Like most women, Cynthia enjoys a nice full-body massage. Here, she is seen at Seredipity day spa in Pembroke. Cynthia was their with her group of girlfriends known as the Mod Chick Mafia. They were at the spa treating themselves to a relaxing afternoon of female bonding before Cynthia’s surgery in Montreal.

Members of the Mod Chick Mafia, from left, Carrie Kelly, Linda Kimel, Gail Doolittle, Michelle Lavigne and Cynthia Tebbetts, toast to what would be known as Cynthia’s last supper at Boston Pizza in Lamar, QC. The group of women knew each other after being involved in some form or another, with motorsports in New Hampshire. The group became better acquainted on a message board via the internet and have formed their clique.

From left, Cynthia Tebbetts, Gail Doolittle and Linda Kimel pick up last minute items at a local drugstore in Montreal, QC. Items like maxi pads will be used prevent bloodspread from surgery.

Cynthia Tebbetts hugs Gail Doolittle as she says her last goodbyes to the “Mod Chick Mafia” from left, Michelle Lavigne wipes a tear and Carrie Kelly and Linda Kimel look on at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie de Plastique’s convelescent home in Montreal, QC. This would be the last time she see her friends and social support group before surgery and a week after.

Cynthia Tebbetts adjusts herself while getting ready at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie de Plastique’s convalescent home in Montreal, QC. Tebbetts spend the day shopping with the “Mod Chick Mafia,” in downtown Montreal, a day before her surgery.

Cynthia makes last-minute phone calls to friends and family before her gender reassignment surgery at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie de Plastique’s in Montreal, QC.

Cynthia takes a moment to gain her bearing before heading to surgery at the Center Metropolitain de Chirurgie Plastique in Montreal, QC. This event maked her last day as a genetic male.

While situated by stirrups, Cynthia Tebbetts is operated on by Dr. Pierre Brassard while, Dr. Thomas Wong and Helene Champagne assist at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie de Plastique in Montreal, QC. The male to female gender reassignment surgery lasted about three hours. The process involves removing the genitals and inverting the penis. The head of the penis is used as the clitoris allowing her to be orgasmic in the future.

A stint is made by packing gauze and sealing it with up the remains of Cynthia’s scrotal sac at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie de Plastique’s  in Montreal, QC.

Tape is placed over Cynthia’s eyes to keep them shut during the three-hour surgery.

Dr. Pierre Brassard, center, performs surgery and Dr. Thomas Wong assists at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie de Plastique in Montreal, QC. Brassard is a highly sought-after world-renowned cosmetic surgeon known especially for his gender reassignment practices.

Cynthia Tebbetts of Goffstown is helped into the recovery room by Rita de Senneville after her three-hour male to female gender reassignment surgery at the Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie in Montreal. The event marked her first full step into womanhood. “Cynthia, you are in the recovery room, you can open your eyes,” Senneville said.

Cynthia receives a hug from co-worker Amy Breeyer while Jeff Plourde looks on during a visit to her part-time job at Newbury Comics in Manchester. This was the first time they saw her after her surgery.

Cynthia experiences the soreness of recovering from gender reassignment surgery while shopping February, 14  in Bedford. Simple tasks like bending down, driving and standing too frequently has been a challenege, Cynthia claims. Full recovery is a year-long process.

Cynthia Tebbetts of Goffstown looks on as Mike Douglas of Manchester measures tires at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee. Cynthia has been involved in auto racing for the past 20 years normally working in the tower/communications area and overseeing the entire track for about half of that time. When she almost left racing she thought her decision to leave John and become Cynthia would be not well received in a “male dominated environment.” However, her co-workers graciously accepted her decision and was told by a director, “It doesn’t matter who you come back as, just to come back,” Cynthia said.

Two unidentified openly gay girlfriends listen as Cynthia lectures at Plymouth State University while speaking to the Gay Straight Alliance April 19 in Plymouth. Cynthia spoke for about an hour about her gender reassignment as well as her history of how and why she made the change. Cynthia has been asked to speak at schools since her operation and has vowed to become an advocate and educator of transgender issues in New Hampshire and beyond.

Cynthia leaves the Hillsborough County Court House in Manchester. Cynthia oficially changed all her records over from male to female. “It was euphoria but frustration also,” Cynthia said. “Frustration from all the government red tape. You know, finding the right judge; hoops and ladders to jump through.”

Cynthia laughs with Michelle Lavigne as they sip wine at Seredipity Day Spa in Pembroke. Days can now be spent as Cynthia feels she should have been, as a woman.