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May 2023
30m 14s

Overcoming Suffering: Dr. Maggie Kang's ...

Trista Guertin
About this episode

Introducing Dr. Maggie Kang, a physician, mother, coach, and rare disease advocate who turned a personal challenge into an opportunity for growth and inspiration. When her daughter was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, Dr. Kang found coaching as a way to cope with her stress and support her family.

Through this journey, she learned the importance of embracing pain and shifting perspectives to overcome adversity. With her powerful message of hope and resilience, Dr. Kang has become an inspiration to others facing similar challenges and has made a lasting impact on the lives of those she has touched.

Dr. Kang is a board-certified radiologist trained at Yale, mom of two kids, one with a rare disease.

She was the radiologist who was the first to see her nine-year-old daughter’s horrifying brain MRI in the ER. Her daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease, neuromyelitis optica.

The ordeal motivated Maggie to shift her focus from radiology to mental well-being.

Now a certified Life Coach, Maggie dedicates her time to supporting parents of kids in the rare and chronic disease communities. She also works with physician moms of kids with chronic needs one-on-one in her private coaching practice, MaggieKangMD LLC. 

Maggie told her story on the TEDx stage, sharing her powerful message that you can choose to accept pain or create suffering. 

Link to TEDx talk: The Truth About Pain and Suffering Will Change Your Life | Maggie Kang | TEDxCherryCreekWomen

Dr. Kang has transformed her family's life by embracing pain and shifting perspectives. After her daughter was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, Dr. Kang sought coaching to help manage her stress and support her family.

This journey led her to the realization that pain is an inevitable part of life, but suffering is a choice. By processing her pain and moving through it, Dr. Kang has become a source of strength and inspiration to her daughter and countless others facing similar challenges.

This is Dr. Maggie Kang's story:

Dr. Maggie Kang's life took a dramatic turn when her once-healthy daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease called neuromyelitis optica at just nine years old. Facing the darkest moments of their lives, they spent five weeks in the ICU, grappling with fear, grief, and uncertainty. As the pandemic unfolded, Maggie sought solace in coaching, which helped her understand that pain and suffering are distinct, and that the latter is a choice. Embracing this wisdom, she began processing her grief and discovered the transformative power of accepting pain.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Uncover the challenges of rare autoimmune diseases and discover valuable support from foundations.
  • Master the art of embracing pain for transformative shifting of perspectives.
  • Implement crucial self-care techniques for primary caregivers to avoid burnout and manage stress.
  • Harness the power of positivity to reframe negative narratives and elevate your life.
  • Conquer fear and uncover the secret to experiencing joy in all areas of life.

Community Support

The support of a community of people who understand and empathize with the challenges faced by those living with a rare or chronic disease cannot be underestimated. Building connections, sharing experiences, and providing emotional support can help individuals and families tremendously in managing their circumstances.

Dr. Maggie Kang's family found solace and camaraderie within the rare disease community they connected with through the NMO foundation. This sense of belonging and support significantly contributed to their ability to navigate their struggles and find comfort in knowing that they were not alone. Dr. Kang ultimately emphasizes the...

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