TVES 5th-grader lucky to be alive

By Kathryn Reed

Crystal Ann Aguilar is no ordinary 11-year-old.

She was born with a crushed aortic valve and three holes in her heart. Two were repaired within days of her birth. She has spent months at a time in the hospital. For an entire year she was on a feeding tube. Doctors said she would be considered terminal until age 12, at which time the thought was medical advancements would have improved to help her live longer.

She was in a stable period medically until last month.

Crystal almost died on the playground at Tahoe Valley Elementary School in South Lake Tahoe.

“Crystal is not to do any running. Her teacher ran her on the track with other students,” Todd Aguilar, Crystal’s father told Lake Tahoe News. “She complained her chest was hurting. The teacher said keep running. She collapsed with a heart attack.” This was halfway through the first lap.

Crystal Aguilar

Aguilar says everyone at the school is aware of Crystal’s medical condition and her limitations. She usually is allowed to walk while the other kids run.

While she is in the fifth-grade, her skill level is that of a second-grader, her dad said. One of her handicaps is the inability to speak well. Her parents understand her, but not everyone else can.

“She is now back fighting; again trying to stay alive,” Aguilar said. “She is back in the same situation as a couple years ago.

“We are going to hold the school accountable for what happened.”

The Aguilars have an attorney.

“In terms of privacy and so forth we can’t make a comment,” Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent Jim Tarwater told Lake Tahoe News.

Crystal was able to return to school May 14.