Woman born with no vagina hopes to raise funds for life-changing surgery

'It makes me feel less of a woman because I can’t do what women are supposed to be able to do'

Olivia Petter
Tuesday 15 August 2017 06:44 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A woman was born with no vagina after being diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome - and is now trying to raise money for life-changing surgery.

After never having a period by the age of 18, Kaylee Moats visited a doctor who examined her and found that the young American did not in fact have a uterus, cervix, vagina or vaginal opening.

Moats and her family, who live in Gilbert, Arizona, were heartbroken, particularly given the news that she will be unable to have children.

The 22-year-old told Barcroft TV that she's sad that she can't have children, adding that it makes her feel "less of a woman" because she "can’t do what women are supposed to be able to do".

Moats is hoping to raise funds via a GoFundMe page to fund a reconstructive surgery that will create a vaginal opening for her.

Moats’ sister Amanda wrote on the page: “There was nothing worse than getting that phone call and knowing that my sister’s dreams for her life were changed so drastically in an instant, with nothing I or anyone else could do to make it better.”

The surgery costs a $15,000, which Moats revealed her health insurance won’t cover because they do not consider it to be a life-saving treatment.

So far, $3,500 has been raised to treat the condition, which affects just 1 in 5,000 women.

After hearing the news, the Northern Arizona University graduate was hesitant to tell her boyfriend Robbie, unsure of how he’d react.

However, he has been incredibly supportive thus far and is even planning on donating a portion of his salary to help fund her surgery.

“When she told me, I already had grown to love this person, so it’s not going to make me love her any less,” he explained in the clip. “I’ll be there every step of the way. I’m amazed that she hasn’t let this define her”, he added, “she inspires me everyday.”

Friends of the young woman have been quick to offer their support, as Moats explained that several of those closest to her have even offered to carry her child as a surrogate.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in