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Opinions of Sunday, 18 October 2009

Columnist: The Royal Enoch

A Ghanaian Woman Trapped In A Man's Body

Could it be that there are monsters born to human parents? Like for example, children born with abnormal features, abnormal gifts, or even super-natural abilities, which set them apart from the rest? Or let's say children, who seem to mature way faster than their own peers for no apparent reason? Most naturally, it's expected of a woman to deliver a healthy child into this world after her nine months pregnancy. However, since nature has a hand in the formation of a child, one could never know. One could only wish for the best, and hope that things do turn out alright. There is no guarantee that, a healthy parent would deliver a healthy child into this world. Nor the probability that, a gentle parent would deliver a gentle soul into this world either. Some have it that, the apple doesn't fall that far from the tree. At least it's not supposed to. However, it could fall from the tree and roll on, if the circumstances deem it so.

Normally, when a child is born to its parents, its genitalia is used to determine its gender. However, could it be that some children, even though endowed with a male body should've been born females? And could it also be true that, some children, even though endowed with a female body should've been born males? In essence, how does one define a man or even a woman? Does one define a woman based upon her genitalia, her physique, or her ability to give birth? What makes a man a man? we ask. Is his definition based upon his genitalia, his physique, or perhaps his mind? Anyway, the questions of life are many, their answers few, and I don't have eternity. Which brings me to this particular case of Steven Appiah.

See, Steve as he was called, was born a little different. He was someone whom most people considered a misfit. Whilst boys his age were playing with their toys, Steve would be caught playing with the girls. Acting like he was a girl. Of course, he got teased a lot for acting girlish. But the more he got teased, the more he kinda liked it. Indeed, Steve walked and talked like a girl. He also did sing in church choir. And I tell you, he had a very pretty falsetto voice. The neighbors not only talked about his pretty voice, but also his odd presentation of himself. His father being that manly a man as he is, would pull his son over sometimes, and thrash him severely. Each whip intended to loose his boy of all that girlishness. It didn't work. Steve was simply a girl trapped in a boy's body. Unfortunately, he would grow up with the feeling that, he is a woman trapped in a man's body.

As Steve matured and got older, he soon discovered a world which had no place for his kind. An intolerant world, which rejects anyone who doesn't quite fit the mold. A world which thrives on the notion of normalcy, whatever that means. And woe to anyone who would be found abnormal. Because for such an individual, melancholy, loneliness, and sorrow would be his/her fate. Steve had no friends. Not because, he was either cruel or mean to people, on the contrary.

Steve was not a plague, yet he was avoided like one. He gave love and got none in return. His only crime was to be born a boy, when he should've been born a girl. His only crime was to be born trapped in a body, which wasn't either connected to his mind or heart. So what did he do? Steve went for a complete sex change, which transformed him into a very beautiful lady. He felt free at last.

He also changed his name to Susannah, and started dating. Susannah came across this guy who simply fell in love with her, and did ask her for marriage. Susannah accepted this marriage proposal to the guy's delight. One day while both of them were alone, Susannah decided to tell her husband to be the truth. She told him about her previous life as a man, together with the sex change operation. Of course, this confession didn't go well with the guy. He called the whole marriage thing off. Moreover, he accused Susannah of both lies and deceit. "Why didn't you tell me that you're man when we first met?" he shockingly asked. "You didn't ask me" Susannah replied. "So what are you saying?" Are you saying that, nowadays, you need to ask a man if he is a real man, and a woman if she is a real woman before you decide to go on a date?" he asked. Susannah weepingly replied and said..................................