Krystina Pacheco is the epitome of resilience. The 32-year-old doctoral student and school psychologist from Pleasanton lost her hands and feet when she went into septic shock following childbirth in 2022.

Since then, she’s been on a mission to help people, recently earning a national award from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for her work.

“I’m still being a mom,” Pacheco said. “I’m playing my role as a wife, as a daughter, as a friend, and I am still living life.”

Pacheco is an advocate for those with limb loss and volunteers in her spare time.

“The lives that she touched, that she touches every day [it’s an inspiration],” said Dr. Chandra Ellis, reconstructive surgeon at Methodist Healthcare.

Pacheco shares many of her adventures on social media, with a special purpose.

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