BBC News
By Adam Clarkson
image captionEllie Lowther socially transitioned at the age of 45
Ellie Lowther has supported hundreds of people through transition as a trans awareness activist. Now, eight years after coming out, the Middlesbrough woman has undergone gender-reassignment surgery herself this week, which has prompted her to reflect on her life and identity. When you re given the date it all becomes real, she said. I think it s a standard thing for a lot of people that when you get the date, you go right back to the beginning. I ve questioned myself again from every angle, is this what I want? Is this the right thing?