HOUSTON — Many people claim to have a “type,” but this Houston woman’s dating preferences are all based around one thing: free healthcare. Living alone with functional neurological disorder, 26-year-old Destiny Flores spends a non-negligible amount of time wrestling with insurance and creating contingency plans in case of any medical emergencies. After one particularly bad flare-up this summer, Flores decided to start taking matters into her own hands … and her own bedroom?
“I was on my phone working out some medical bills, when I got a pop-up ad for Tinder. That’s when it hit me — I already had my local fire station on speed dial, so why not go on some dates and see if I can find an emergency medical professional of my own? When you think about it, it’s really an accommodation.”
While annual surveys in the US have continuously rated firefighting as “America’s sexiest profession,” Flores insists that her preference for dating men and women in uniform is purely medical. Her last three partners have all been certified firefighters and EMTs with specialized training in CPR, evacuation route planning and, of course, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The local fire department has noticed Flores’ interest, but they say it’s nothing out of the norm. Fire chief Bill Branton told us, “We see this all the time. Our medics have great benefits, strong muscles and good bedside manner … it makes sense that disabled women are starting to take notice.”
“Joke about it all you want, but after years of getting burned in the dating world, I’m finally starting to find my spark!” says Flores. “Besides, have you seen the cost of a 10-minute ambulance ride?”