The Weight of Healing: Crystal’s Beautiful Disaster

What Makes You a Beautiful Disaster?
My strength—overcoming all that’s been thrown at me.

Why Do You Identify with the Beautiful Disaster Brand?
Because I have overcome things no one should ever have to—especially at the age it all began. But I rose from the ashes.

Tell Us Your Beautiful Disaster Story:
I am now 36 years old, but my pain began at the age of 2. My mom was an addict who chose a man that was very abusive—not only to her but to me as well. He held a knife to my toes when I was just 2 years old and told me he’d “give me something to cry about.” He threatened to cut my toes off one by one and shoved a soured bottle in my mouth.

Luckily, I had an amazing grandma who took me in at age 4 and raised me like I was her own.

At age 16, I was raped by my best friend’s brother and ended up dropping out of high school. In 2006, I was 24 weeks pregnant and lost my beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, to a stillbirth.

All of that was horrible—but what happened four years ago is what truly broke me and led me to become a Beautiful Disaster.

I got into a relationship with someone who was a hardcore addict—something I didn’t know or see at the time. He lied, cheated, and used me. And then he became abusive. He dragged me out into the woods and hit me so hard in the mouth that he knocked out two of my front teeth. He belittled me so much that I started to believe every word he said.

I became so depressed I shut everyone and everything out—including my job. It took me over a year to realize that I wasn’t the problem. That I am not all the things he made me believe. I realized that I am beautiful. I am strong. I am worthy—because I am me, and that’s how God made me.

I’m now the happiest and healthiest I’ve been in years. I’ve gone from 71 lbs to 120 lbs because I finally started putting myself first. Beautiful Disaster has helped me through the pain and played a part in helping me find myself again.

Beautiful Disaster isn’t just a clothing company—it’s an inspiration for all women who have been through hell and are still standing strong.

What Happened for You to Turn It Around?
I began to learn to love myself and all my flaws—and to ignore the negativity.

Name 3 Things You’ve Done to Move Closer to Happiness:

1. Put myself and my family above everything.

2. Focused on my job as a CNA.

3. Learned to let go of the pain, anger, and all the negativity.

What Is Your Favorite Beautiful Disaster Collection and Why?
The Phoenix Collection—because I have risen from the ashes time and time again.