Jackie Blankenship, 40, from Michigan, was born with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS). Though she developed externally as female, she has XY chromosomes, no uterus or ovaries, and was born with internal testes. “I look female and was raised female, but I can’t carry children,” she explained.

Learning the truth at age nine left Jackie feeling “confused, alone, and less than other girls.” She hid her condition for years, underwent surgery at 15, and later completed vaginal dilation therapy. Puberty was especially hard — she never menstruated and couldn’t grow body hair.

Jackie feared being intersex would hurt her love life, but when she told her partner, “He was loving, kind, and completely unfazed.” Today, she is happily married and has a daughter via gestational carrier.

Now an advocate, Jackie uses her story to fight stigma. “Different doesn’t mean broken — and I’m living proof of that,” she said. She hopes sharing her journey will help others feel less alone and inspire more open