When life doesn't go as planned, how do you keep going — and still find joy along the way?

In this moving conversation, pediatrician, rare disease advocate, and author Dr. Tasha Faruki joins me to share her extraordinary journey as a mother navigating her daughter's complex medical needs. From the first whispers that something was different, to the raw reality of "failure to thrive," to redefining joy through Make-A-Wish surfboards in Hawaii, Dr. Tasha's story is one of grit, surrender, and radical love.

We talk about:

• Trusting your instincts when everyone says "don't worry"

• Letting go of the plan you thought your life would follow

• Siblings, family repair, and the unspoken challenges behind the scenes

• The power of asking "Why not?" instead of "Why me?"

• Living by the family motto: Suck the joy out of life

Some quotes from the episode:

• "Our children carry the medicine we need."

• "I had to stop waiting for joy to fall into my lap and start intentionally finding it."

• "It's incredibly brutal and it's incredibly beautiful — and both can be true."

📖 Pre-order Dr. Tasha's memoir Keep Your Head Up — proceeds benefit children's organizations.

📌 Follow Dr. Tasha's work and connect through the links below.

Whether you're a parent, a caregiver, or simply someone learning to make space for big feelings, this episode will meet you in the messy middle — where it's incredibly brutal and incredibly beautiful, often at the same time.

Pre-order her book here: https://a.co/d/cDtfa8i

Dr. Tasha Faruqui: https://www.tashafaruqui.com/about

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DANIELLE IRELAND, LCSW

I greatly appreciate your support and engagement as part of the Don't Cut Your Own Bangs community. Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or anything you'd like to share. You can connect with me at any of the links below.

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00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:08 Introducing Dr. Tasha Fari

04:22 Dr. Tasha's Journey Begins

05:24 Early Signs and Medical Challenges

07:21 Navigating Medical Advice and Doubts

09:36 The Breaking Point and Advocacy

12:05 Diagnosis and Urgency

14:36 Facing the Unknown and Seeking Answers

16:12 The Emotional Toll and Medical System Challenges

18:44 A Mother's Intuition and Medical Advocacy

20:21 The Long Road Ahead

20:52 Military Life and Medical Support

23:23 Preparing for the Next Steps

36:36 Emotional Appointment and Medical Decisions

38:22 Surrendering to Uncertainty

41:44 The Role of Joy and Acceptance

44:14 Make-A-Wish and Family Transformation

46:24 Balancing Family and Medical Challenges

50:32 Parenting and Personal Growth

55:06 The Decision to Have a Third Child

01:00:26 Repairing Relationships with Children

01:05:34 Final Reflections and Lessons Learned

01:10:58 Don't Cut Your Own Bangs Moment