Krystal's Story: Keep Fighting

My name is Krystal and I am 34 years old. I started using heroin and meth when I was 19. At first it was fun. I had no idea what I was getting into. Before I knew what was happening, I had lost my job, my apartment and was living in my car. Eventually, I lost my car and was living on the streets. I lived that life for a LONG time. I found out I was pregnant in 2018, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get clean. I was in a VERY abusive relationship but was too scared to leave. Every time I tried, I got beat up. CPS took my son from me when he 6 months old. I was still getting high. I walked out of two treatment centers because I wasn't ready. My CPS worker told me that she was going to terminate my rights, so I gave treatment another try. Something clicked because I stayed. I completed the program. I moved into an Oxford House and my son was returned home to me on 2/23/2021. November 5th will be two years that I have been clean and sober and it's the best thing I have ever done for myself and for my son. 

Today, I am going to school full time to become a drug and alcohol counselor, I have my own apartment and I own my car :) 

Life is hard, and sometimes it's easier to just give up and say fuck it, but giving up is not worth it. Keep fighting. Don't look back. Keep your head held high and don't ever be ashamed of who you are, who you used to be, or what you've gone through. It is ALL worth it. 

I LOVE Beautiful Disaster and everything that it stands for. I have one BD sweatshirt and I wear it with pride all of the time. I am proud to be an imperfectly imperfect, beautiful disaster :) 

I cannot wait until I can afford to order more BD gear. 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story.