Helix Mind

While this adage can inspire resilience, it's important to recognize that it doesn't hold true in every circumstance. Unprocessed and unhealed experiences can, in fact, leave lasting scars that hinder rather than empower us.

Consider a person who survived a near-fatal car accident. While they physically recovered, the emotional scars and anxiety from the trauma lingered. Without proper processing and healing, they continued to relive the terrifying incident in their mind, hindering their ability to move forward.

Similarly, someone who endured a toxic and abusive relationship may carry deep emotional wounds. If these scars aren't addressed, they can affect future relationships and their overall well-being, making them feel far from stronger.

The belief that surviving hardships invariably makes you stronger oversimplifies the complexities of human resilience and the importance of addressing and healing from traumatic experiences.

So, let’s refrain from treating the notion that "the more adversities you've been through, the stronger you'll become" as an absolute truth and instead embrace a more compassionate approach- acknowledging the pain, seeking support, and prioritizing healing, recognizing that true strength often lies in our ability to address and overcome our wounds.

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Dr. Shohreh

Quiz Time!!! 🤩

If you are a parent or a family member of a loved one with a rare disease or any forms of complex medical condition, answer and win a free 1-1 coaching session with me.

Give it a try! (Comment below or send a DM) 😉

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Dr. Shohreh

3 common mistakes parents of children with chronic health conditions make:

1. Neglect Self-Care

Parents usually sacrifice their own needs to be the best parent for their loved one. And this can put them at risk of burnout and many other health issues. Taking care of your needs is not selfish, it's self-love and will help you become a better, happier, and more resilient parent. It serves you, your loved one, and your family.

2. Feel Guilty

With a disabled child, no matter what their disability, parents are going to find themselves feeling the extra burdens of guilt. They feel guilty about their child's diagnosis, about taking breaks, about not doing enough, about the way they treat their spouse or partner, about needing help, and....

Ask yourself if you're not trying your best to provide the best care you can for your child? Or if you're intentionally doing something that harm your child or your family?
You are doing your best! Try not to get stuck in the feeling of guilt, as again, it prevents you from doing the best job you can for your child.

3. Not asking for help

Most of the time, parents of children with disabilities believe that they are the only one who can help their child and there is no limit to what they need to do. They feel like they should be able to do it all in order to be the best parent. But, remember, asking for help means you want to stay strong so that you'll be able to take care of your loved one better and longer.

In my Free guide "5 Powerful Tips to Handle Tough Times", I provide you with tools and strategies to get out of the vicious cycle of stress, worry, and overwhelm so that you get back control of your life, feel better, do better, and live a better life while being the best caregiver for your loved one.

Download the guide at www.helixmind.ca.

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Dr. Shohreh

Can you inherit cancer? And Who should consider genetic testing for cancer risk.
Most cancers are caused by genetic changes that happen mostly by chance and are not inherited. (Sporadic)
Of all cancer cases, only about 5% to 10% are caused by inheriting a certain gene mutation.
You inherit the mutated gene not the cancer.
People with inherited gene mutations have a higher risk of developing cancer, but it doesn’t mean they will develop cancer.
If you have inherited a damaged gene, the risk of developing cancer can be as high as 80% depending on the specific gene, your family history, and other risk factors.
People who are concerned about whether their family history puts them at risk for cancer should consult with a geneticist or a genetic counselor.
Genetic testing is often more informative if it can begin in a family member with a previous or current cancer diagnosis than in someone who has never had cancer.

Who should consider genetic testing for cancer risk?

The features of a person’s personal or family medical history that may suggest a hereditary cancer syndrome include:

1. Cancer was diagnosed at an unusually young age

2. Several different types of cancer occurred in the same person

3. Cancer in both organs in a set of paired organs, such as both kidneys or both breasts

4. Several first-degree relatives (the parents, siblings, or children of an individual) have the same type of cancer (for example, a mother, daughter, and sisters with breast cancer); family members with breast or ovarian cancer; family members with colon cancer and endometrial cancer

5. Unusual cases of a specific cancer type (for example, breast cancer in a man)

6. The presence of birth defects that are known to be associated with inherited cancer syndromes, such as certain noncancerous (benign) skin growths and skeletal abnormalities associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.

7. Being a member of a racial or ethnic group that is known to have an increased risk of having a certain inherited cancer susceptibility syndrome and having one or more of the above features as well

8. Several family members with cancer

Follow my IG account at .ag for more tips and support.

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Dr. Shohreh

It's The Rare Month of February! 🤩🤩

Let's celebrate , month, Congenital Heart Disease awareness week (Feb. 7-14), (Feb. 4), AND the (Feb. 28).

DM your health condition to receive my Guide "5 Powerful Tips to Handle Tough Times", created for chronic medical conditions families.

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Dr. Shohreh

Are you experiencing a challenge in your life?

Instead of putting all your focus and efforts on things that are not in your control, focus on what you HAVE control over.

Shift your focus from unchangable to waht you CAN change.

Most of your suffering and pain is not because of your experience, but because of what you have focused on in that experience.

If you are a special needs parent, feeling stuck, and don't know how to move forward, download my Free guide, "5 Powerful Tips to Handle Tough Times" at www.helixmind.ca

to learn how to get through your tough journey with more ease, calm, and confidence.

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Dr. Shohreh

Change is hard, but nothing is as hard as living the same life where you constantly feel stressed, stuck, and overwhelmed.

There is no question that raising a child with a rare genetic disorder or any other forms of special needs is hard. It’s really hard.

Talking about the hard is needed to raise awareness about a disabling health condition and to create bonding between families,

but without any attempt to change what is hard, you just create a life where you are destined to constantly feel stressed, frustrated, worried, and overwhelmed.

You need to not just say it’s hard, you also need to look for the options and resources to change the hard. You need to change the conversation to reduce the stress and hardship and create some joy, calm, and happiness.

You may not be able to change your loved one’s health condition, but you can change how to live with that condition.

At the end, it's up to you to survive or to thrive… And whichever you choose, you will accept and choose all that’ll come with it.

If you don’t know how to change the hard, speak up and ask for help.

Go and find communities where there are people who inspire you and help you change things up, not just the miserable people who wallow in self-pity with you.

Read inspiring books, listen to podcasts, follow inspiring people on social media.

Take care of your needs. Put yourself a priority.

Get therapy if you need it.

Work with a coach. Coaches help you get out of your mind, take control of your thoughts and emotions so that you can make better decisions and create your desired life.

As a medical geneticist (MD) and a professional life coach, I've helped so many families better navigate their special needs journey with more ease, joy, and fulfillment.

I would love to help you do the same.

DM me or follow me on IG .ag, for more tips, free coaching, and future programs.

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Today, October 15th, is Idic 15 World Awareness Day.

Isodicentric chromosome 15 (Idic 15) syndrome is a chromosome abnormality that affects many different parts of the body.

Incidence at birth is estimated at 1 in 30,000 with s*x ratio of almost 1:1.

Common signs and symptoms include poor muscle tone (hypotonia), developmental delay, intellectual disability, delayed or absent speech, seizures, and autistic behavior.

Diagnosis is achieved by clinical features and cytogenetic testing.

Save and Share this post to raise awareness and to help families who may have a child with this condition.

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You don't need other people's approval for loving yourself.

Self care is not selfish, it's self love.

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Some genetic disorders are apparent at birth while others are diagnosed later throughout childhood, and sometimes into adulthood. You don't need to be an expert in genetics to be supportive.

Read these 9 ways to support families and individuals with genetic conditions.

1) Don’t make assumptions

2) Be understanding

3) Don’t underestimate someone with a genetic disorder

4) Use sensitive language

5) Be on-hand to help

6) Remember – not all disorders are visible

7) Respect their choices

8) Think of the whole family

9) Focus on achievements

What are the other ways to support people with genetic conditions and their families? Comment ⬇️⬇️

"Nine year old Lacey, turned a school poetry assignment into a beautiful dedication to her sister Mila-Belle,

and to raise awareness for the rare disease Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome."

https://youtu.be/wC3B1UqXOZA

Awesome, Lacey! ❤️

You are a wonderful sister! 😍

You, your sisters, and your family are not alone. We are here for you. ❤️

Like and share this post to support lovely Lacey, her sister Mila-Belle, and everyone else in the world with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome. 💚🦋

Life happens all the time, but taking care of a loved one with a rare genetic condition, can feel really hard.

Do not expect to be perfect.

Do not beat yourself up for not feeling okay some days.

Be open to feel your emotions, whatever they are.

It's absolutely okay to put yourself first and take care of yourself.

Ask for help.

Talk to a friend or a family member or anyone who can be a support.

Talk about your feelings and thoughts, your fears, your concerns.

DM me if you need help. 💚

I am here for you and love to support you through your journey.

You are not alone. 😍

The world is a better place because of you! 💜

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season. May this joyful season greet you with health and happiness. 💚