What If?: Would You Change Your Sex If it Meant a Better, Healthier Life?

Magena Fawn asked the question on Facebook about what everyone's name would be if they were born the opposite sex? A simple and fun question to ponder, right? Well, it led me a totally different direction in the form of one of my "what if?" hypothetical questions.

I read that post on another friend's wall on Facebook and I just had to send a friend request to Magena so that I could write a short comment about it. It turned into a hold other topic after I thought about it for a few minutes.

It led me to another subject relating to the opposite sex that I am pretty sure most of us have not thought of. The general question is what would have happened, what kind of person would you have been had you been born the opposite sex, besides the obvious anatomical differences?

With that being said, I want you to read what I am going to write text and think about what you would do, if you were me, and comment if you can.

I have a form of muscular dystrophy called Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The tricky part about the genetics involved with Duchenne is that it can only be passed on to males and not females. Females can only be carriers but not be afflicted themselves.

For more information about the actual genetics, read Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy - A Case Study and Clinical Synopsis and for an actual account of much of my life, read Growing Up with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy.

This means that, if I were born a girl, I would not have been born with and contracted my disability. This raises a question that is both simple on the outset but very complicated if you think deeper: what would I choose, if I had the choice to be born a male with my disability or female and able-bodied?

The simple and fun question of our names led to my genetics realization and it raised a very complicated question I have never thought of before. Sure I knew the genetics behind my disability but I never thought of having a choice of sex and what it would mean to my life and disability.

I'm not really sure I have an answer to that question. It would take a lot of thought and there are lots of dependent factors involved.

I suppose the main factor would be whether or not I would have memory of being a male in my new life as a female? I have to admit that it would be very freaky and disturbing if I made the switch and maintained my memory of being a male! I would be like "oh my God, where did it go?! How do I pee? Oh God, the pain, the cramps!" I think it would be very traumatizing indeed! I would probably get used to it after several months maybe but it would definitely be a change of life (excuse the pun) for me, or anyone for that matter. Going from female to male would be very traumatic as well due to the new frontal appendage and all of the dangers that we encounter with our weapons of mass destruction.

Another factor would be when the switch could be made. Would it be to be made at birth, as a kid or the present age? I think I would prefer it to be at birth, so I would be used to it from the start and not be shocked by the addition or subtraction of anatomical organs and emotions.

Think of all of the differences in our emotions we would go through with such a change.

Could we give up what we currently have with our sex? Could men give up sports, their competitiveness, their beer, their strengths and everything else that goes along with being a guy? Could women give up their sensitivity, lack of competitiveness (some women at least), their emphasis on beauty and fashion, etc.? (I'm sure I will be labeled a sexist again!)

So, I leave you this question to ponder. If you had a disability or other ailment that would fail to exist if you were born a different sex or changed sexes now, would you be able to give up your life as a man or woman to switch sexes at any point in your life?