Despite undergoing more than a dozen surgeries, Krystina Pacheco returned to work as a school psychologist supporting students with disabilities.
SAN ANTONIO — A Pleasanton woman who became a quadruple amputee after a life-threatening medical emergency has been honored with a national award for her resilience and dedication to her community.
Krystina Pacheco was diagnosed with gallbladder inflammation shortly after giving birth to her second child. The condition escalated to septic shock, ultimately leading to the amputation of both her hands and feet.
“It’s not every day, especially in a small town like Pleasanton, that you see someone with all four amputations,” Pacheco said. “I feel like showing the diversity of someone with a disability to my students who also have disabilities shows them that they’re not alone.”
Despite undergoing more than a dozen surgeries, skin grafts and reconstructive procedures, Pacheco returned to work as a school psychologist supporting students with disabilities. Her determination and service earned her the “Patient of Courage” award from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
She says unity and the strength of others is what has kept her going.
“I want to show [my students] that despite my life taking a turn, I’m using this second chance at life to do something meaningful.”
Dr. Chandra Ellis, a Texas plastic surgeon who has worked with Pacheco since 2022, recalled first meeting the young mother and her family in the ICU.
“It’s really hard to recover from something like this when you’re all alone,” Ellis said.
Pacheco had her family, and she had a reason to fight. That reason, Pacheco says, was always her children.
“I tell everyone that what motivated me throughout that was my babies,” she said. “They’re 100% my motivation. They’re still my motivation every day.”
For Pacheco, the recognition is not just a personal milestone but a reminder of how far she’s come.
“I feel honored. I feel humbled,” she said. “I sometimes have to take a step back and be proud of myself as well. And that’s very hard to do — I think for most moms as well — we don’t often take the time to be proud of ourselves despite all the things that we’re doing.”