A TRANSGENDER woman has spoken of her joy at becoming the oldest person in Britain to have surgery.
Ruth Rose, 85, had a reassignment op four years ago after her doctor told her she could be considered for the full procedure.
Ruth Rose, 85, became the oldest person in Britain to have a reassignment op four years ago
She has defended the £4,000 cost of the surgery by sitting on an NHS advisory board and volunteering for charities that support old people.
Ruth told the BBC: “It is only in the past 15 years that this has become acceptable. Before that people thought it was just for freaks.”
Ruth had the surgery after living as a woman for several years.
She had been known as James Rose, an ex-RAF navigator, mechanical engineer and financial consultant.
Ruth Rose, formerly James Rose pictured in 1956 aged 23 while in the RAF Rose married and kept her gender identity secret -
Rose married and kept her gender identity secret - pictured in 1992 Ruth Rose, formerly James Rose, pictured on a yacht in the same year
Ruth Rose, formerly James Rose, pictured on a yacht in the same year Play Video
It was not until 1973 that Ruth's then-wife found pictures of her dressed as a woman
Ruth had the surgery after living as a woman for several years
She married but kept her secret until 1973 when her wife found pictures of her dressed as a woman. They finally divorced in 2003.
Ruth waited until retirement to come out as a woman but first realised she wanted to be female aged nine.
Poster Comment:
There is always one country crazier than ours.