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 Faruqui 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
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.
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.
Watch the full episode on YouTube.
Listen to the Full Episode:
DANIELLE IRELAND, LCSW
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00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:08 Introducing Dr. Tasha Faruqui
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
