Meet Crystal Flores

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Flores.

Hi Crystal, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had a complicated beginning at birth. I was born with multiple congenital heart defects which led me to have seven heart surgeries throughout my life.

My mom didn’t know I was born with the world’s #1 birth defect (Congenital Heart Disease). She found out something was wrong with my heart months later when my skin started to get a bluish tint due to the cyanosis (inadequate oxygen levels).

At three months old, I was finally diagnosed with a combo of heart defects known as “Hypoplastic right heart syndrome” which basically means that the right side of my heart is completely underdeveloped. Some people call it “half a heart”.

As a child, I didn’t understand what I was going through. All I knew was that I was sick because I noticed that I went to visit the hospital and drs most of the time.

When I was a teenager, I had a hard time accepting that my illness put certain limitations on my body. I wanted to be normal and able to do everything like everyone else.

I struggled with depression for years because I couldn’t look past the pain of being/looking different than everyone around me. It hurt to know that I was never going to be able to physically keep up with my heart-healthy peers. The scars on my chest from my heart surgeries reminded every day that I was never going to be “normal”.

It wasn’t until I reached adulthood when I was 26 years old that I finally met another heart patient who had scars and physical limitations like me that my perception changed. Meeting another heart patient made feel like I wasn’t alone. Looking at her scars made me feel like I wasn’t so out of place in this world. I had finally found somewhere I belong.

After meeting her in 2014, We decided to create a page on instagram to find and connect with more heart patients.

I started gaining confidence in myself and my testimony when I started seeing so many other heart patients with scars who were sharing their struggles on Instagram.

I’m happy to share that after eight years of sharing my testimony on Instagram. I have found a whole community of heart patients standing beside me. Having this community as a support system changed my life because I feel like I don’t have to hide who I am anymore.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been challenging due to the fact that I’m not able to keep up physically. I have limited energy levels and almost always short of breath. This limits my daily activities. I’ve had multiple jobs in the past that I had to quit from because I ended up sick in the hospital from overworking my heart. Once I realized I couldn’t perform at the same physical level as healthy people, I decided to make a career out of my experiences living with heart disease.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I designed a heart-shaped compression pillow to help my fellow heart patients recover from open heart surgery. These pillows give an extra layer of support to the sternum and help reduce chest pain after heart surgery. I hand sew them individually and stuff them with memory foam so it can retain its shape and never go flat.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Living with heart disease has taught me a lot about life and myself that I probably wouldn’t have learned without it. It has taught me to appreciate each day a little more. It shaped me to be a fearless courageous woman who doesn’t give up no matter what challenges life throws at me. It teaches me every day how to be compassionate and kind to others. At the end of the day, I have a newfound appreciation for life in general.

Pricing:

• $40 each heart pillow

Contact Info:

• Website: http://beacons.page/chd_hearts
• Instagram: @chd_hearts