Stephanie Bench:  

I used to be that big fat, shy kid... 1F, 2A, 3A, 4B. Got out of gym class because of a "bad back". (Now you see why I couldn't really "do" gym). Science. AP math. Aced chemistry. Ham radio operator, I was K3PYS. (I'm now AA6AP). On graduation went to Carnegie Institute of Technology (now CMU) along with Dave Blair, Tom Deet, and several others from our class. Graduated there as an Electrical Engineer. Worked 10 years for Motorola in Chicago area, then moved to the west coast. I'm still out here near San Diego, although moved up and down the west coast with Ericsson, Fujitsu, Verilink, DTS, ADA, and now Seektech. Always stayed with Electrical Engineering for a profession. I hold 10 patents. (I think one of my pending ones has gone through recently, so that would make 11). I was married and have one son who recently graduated from LMU in Los Angeles. My partner died from cancer. That was rough. We were married for 19 years, and stayed together through some pretty rocky times. About 2 1/2 years ago, I was dying; given only a few months to live. Bad heart. Then I discovered something very, very important about myself that was the root cause of my health, weight, social awkwardness and other issues. Turns out I am a girl. After a LOT of prayer (yes, I am a still a practicing Catholic and closer to Christ than ever before) and soul searching, I transitioned to my present female form. My health and happiness skyrocketted! I am n...Expand for more