"A Life Lived Twice is a compelling read because it bears witness to the struggles of disability and gender identity, as well as an incredible sense of celebration of being comfortable in one's skin in the face of society's prejudice and ignorance."
I interviewed Allyson in 2014 and this is what she shared with me: "I began my transition in 1998, but was trying to find support from 1996. I met several trans people over those years. CD Rom (now Agender) had started up in Wellington, but I was in the process of returning home to Auckland after studying at Victoria University, so was unable to attend. I found out about Hedesthia, which was a trans group in Auckland but discovered that was in the process of closing down. In 1997 I discovered the Pride Centre in Auckland which was in the very early stages of including trans people. I joined the board for 3 years.
