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Part 2
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It was a restless night. Ryan drifted in and out of sleep. So much was engulfing his thoughts. The results of the test meant either life as usual or a a dramatic, world-altering change. There is no way that this could happen to him. That kind of stuff happens to other people right?
Ryan saw the look on his mom and dad's faces as they sat in the waiting room of the clinic. The concern was visible. He was glad his brother and sister were not there. The whole idea of this was not only scary but also incredibly embarrassing.
"How are you doing today Ryan?" the doctor asked.
"I'm feeling alot better than yesterday doctor"
"Well that's good. So we received the results back from the GR-2 test and it's positive." the doctor clearly stated.
The oxygen seemed to get sucked out of the room and time stood still as that word left the doctor's mouth. POSITIVE. Ryan couldn't breath...his mind went blank...his body numb.
"It's not possible!" his dad shouted in disbelief, "how accurate is this test?!?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Conway, the results are 100% accurate. I know how much of a blow this must be for your family but..."
"Ryan is a star quarterback and is my boy! This cannot and will not happen!" His dad interrupted.
"Ted, please calm down" said Ryan's mom. She too did not know what to think. She knew this was a possibility but never did she think it happen to them.
"We have counselors here to help you all transition through this. This is going to be a very big change for not only you Ryan, but for all those around you. You are going to need a support group." The doctor explained, "I know how scared you must be, but you are not alone in this. There are thousands out there with your same condition who go on to lead very healthy and productive lives."
Ryan sat there motionless unable to comprehend what this all meant to him. His mom rose and wrapped him in a big hug. This could not be happening.
The next week was a whirlwind of counseling sessions for the family. Ryan found out what would happen to him over the next three months. Gr-2 was the medical term for a genetic condition which afflicted boys in their early to mid teens. For a still unknown reason, around 12% of the population of males began to see these changes 11 years ago. Although there has been a lot of light shed on the subject and acceptance has become commonplace, there is still little known of the cause of the change. What is known, however, is that a boy will undergo several periods of high fever and tiredness followed by feminizing physical changes. These changes vary from child to child but the end result is always a genetic female.
Ryan heard everything that had to be said but there was no way that these things could happen to him. He was strong, masculine and big-willed. If anyone could win this battle it would be him.
He met another boy in a later stage of the condition which was disturbing to say the least. The boy was so frail and thin and nothing like him. He never considered himself a homophobe, but this other boy was a plain sissy and the sight of him made Ryan angry. What really got to him was the way this other boy seemed to be fine with and even enjoyed the changes. His clothes were girl's clothes for the most part and he even had a girl's voice and mannerisms...freak!
Ryan's father continued to deny that his some was stricken. He would leave the room if the subject was even brought up.
Ryan's mom was the sensible one. She knew that her son would be going through a rough time soon and she would have to be the strength. The thought of losing her son was almost unbearable, but she tried to rationalize all the other things that are far worse than his condition. It seemed to work most of the time.
Jimmy, Ryan's 12 year old brother took every chance to tease his older brother. He didn't quite fanthom that it was real.
Kristen, Ryan's 16 year old older sister was worried about how people would treat them once the word got out that he was gr positive. Like any teenage girl, she was concerned about her social standing.
As for Ryan, he was determined to beat this. He felt fine now and he planned on keeping it that way. He chose not to tell his girlfriend or any of his friends.
Things were fine for three weeks...then the first fever hit.
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Comments
Why is it
ALISON
'that some fathers,(and mothers) want their children to be something that they never were themselves? Fortunately,in this case,
the mother realizes that she is the one who has to be the strength
of the family and be there for her son.A bit short,but a well done story.
ALISON
Stricken Pt 2
The familis responses are understandable if they were not taught to acccept the T.G. Community. Hopefully, they can accept the changes in Ryan.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Denial
"It's not just a river in Egypt," as the old pun/saw goes.
One must wonder, though... In a world where one out of eight young men is going to be unexpectedly afflicted by an involuntary gender change (and mind you, this has been going on for over a decade), why would such rampant disrespect for young men undergoing the transition develop? Fear? Male hyper-chauvinism? Mere hatred and homophobia wouldn't seem to cover the ground.
Real-world polling data has shown over time that the more people are exposed to the concept that gay people are among us, and are already people we know and respect, the greater the acceptance figures go up overall. And, I'm not sure there's good polling data out there on the subject of transexuality, but just looking at popular culture as represented in movies and television, it seems acceptance levels have been rising. And, here we're presented with a world where a very common anomaly, which can be measured with something that resembles a genetic assay test, and which may have been spread by a virus, causes spontaneous gender transition. (If by spontaneous we mean months of serious illness.)
It makes one wonder why the people of this fictional world could be so cruel? That's one subject I'd like to see addressed.
Oh another point that hsn't been covered. If this is something spread by a virus or other external vector, is it very specific only to males, or can females acquire it, or be carriers? Does it cause illness in females, too, only less obviously severe genetic changes?
___________________
If a picture is worth 1000 words, this is at least part of my story.
Cruelty
This story does seem to be very much Whateley/MORFS-inspired; rejection and abuse of the afflicted is very much a part of those universes. But, taken on its own, this story points out (as do those other two story universes) people’s intolerance of what is radically different, when it seems to upset the “settled order of nature.” To me, it is all allegory of the trans experience.
When Things are Normal
When things are normal and everything is fine
a change such as this is not acceptable to a guy
like Ryan. What is disturbing is the attitude
of some family members. Story continues to hold
my interest.
Kaptin Nibbles
When Things are Normal
When things are normal and everything is fine
a change such as this is not acceptable to a guy
like Ryan. What is disturbing is the attitude
of some family members. Story continues to hold
my interest.
Kaptin Nibbles
great start
You have me on the edge of my seat.