Thanks for sharing this. One thing in particular struck me as I read what you wrote. You said your lifestyle was normal for you because you didn't know anything else.

One of the issues I grew up with, many years ago, was gender identity dysphoria. (This was way back in the 1950's & 60's.) My GID caused me to do all sorts of strange things to myself in secret over the years. (And over the years, I became quite good at secrets.)

Anyway... somehow it never occurred to me, that I can recall, that what I was doing was weird or that it suggested I needed help. (Not that there would have been any back then anyway.) But I think it was because it all started so early in my life that it seemed normal for me. I'd never known anything else. I'm glad you found a place where you fit in. And that you were able to find your way back & function.