Mum Gets Daughter's Brain Scan Inked On Her Chest To Raise Awareness Of Rare Muscle Condition
'Hopefully people will ask me what the tattoo is and I can explain all about it.'
SWNS
A mum whose daughter suffers from a rare muscle condition has decided to get a tattoo on her chest of her daughter's brain.
Zara Gabriel, 36, said the permanent ink was to honour her daughter's bravery after she was born with a genetic mutation.
Her daughter Eleanor, 14, suffers with muscular dystrophy, cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) and dystonia (uncontrollable muscle spasms), which all affect her ability to control body movement.
"I wanted to raise awareness of dystonia but couldn't think of anything appropriate until I saw a brain x-ray Eleanor had done showing her stimulator and electrodes," Gabriel said.
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KMG/SWNS.com
Gabriel continued: "I love gothic things - I am a big horror fan and always wanted to get a skull tattoo but didn't want something everyone else has.
"So I decided to get Eleanor's brain x-ray tattooed onto my chest as a tribute to her bravery and to raise awareness of dystonia and DBS."
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Zara Gabriel/ SWNS.com
Eleanor recovering in hospital after a brain operation aged eight
Gabriel said her daughter has been through a lot at such a young age.
When Eleanor was eight, she underwent a brain operation called 'deep brain stimulation' (DBS).
It involved placing a stimulator on her chest and doctors drilling into her brain in an attempt to help her control her muscle movements.
But the mum said she found it hard that no one really knew much about her daughter's condition.
"The tattoo came about because a woman messaged me on Facebook who had a daughter going through a similar sort of thing but couldn't find any information online," she said.
"It made me think that poor woman was so worried and there was no support or information.
"Hopefully people will ask me what the tattoo is and I can explain all about it and the conditions and what she's been through."
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Zara Gabriel/ SWNS.com
Zara Gabriel and her daughter Eleanor
The family are now trying to raise money to build a hydrotherapy spa pool in their garden, as Gabriel said it's the only way for Eleanor to relieve the pain and exercise.
10 Tips For Keeping Your Brain Healthy
1. Challenge Yourself(01 of10)
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It’s all too easy to remain in your comfort zone, but learning a new skill, language or musical instrument will not only stimulate the little grey cells but enrich your life too. (credit:Vstock LLC/Sarah M. Golonka via Getty Images)
2. Do Something Different(02 of10)
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Everyday routines drain our brains, so change things about.
From the routes you take to the shops or work, to what you cook for dinner, the changes you make can be big or small, but encourage yourself to step away from the norm. (credit:Lynn Koenig via Getty Images)
3. Learn To Relax(03 of10)
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Although it is important to challenge yourself, you must also take time to refresh and unwind.
Our brains require time to process information deeply in order to learn from our daily experiences.
It may sound obvious, but relaxing reduces stress and the over-production of brain chemicals and hormones, such as cortisol, which in large quantities can negatively affect parts of the brain. (credit:Tom Merton via Getty Images)
4. Turn On And Turn It Up!(04 of10)
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Watching too much TV can dull brain programming.
Instead, put on your favourite music playlist, turn the volume up and really listen to it rather than just have it as background sound.
Research shows that music can lower stress hormones which impede memory and increase feelings of well-being. (credit:Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)
5. Reorganise Your Environment(05 of10)
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More mess leads to more stress! Revamp your home or workplace by de-cluttering and provide mental space for creativity and renewal. (credit:bopav via Getty Images)
6. Enjoy A Lie-In(06 of10)
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Research shows that when you’re persistently sleep-deprived, your body doesn’t have the time to build proteins, which can damage your brain.
So go to bed early and, once a week, give yourself a treat and stay in bed for an extra hour or so. (credit:Troels Graugaard via Getty Images)
7. Use Your Weaker Hand(07 of10)
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When was the last time you tried to write, draw or even stir your tea with your weaker hand?
Doing day-to-day activities with your "other" hand can drive your brain to make positive changes, as it requires the brain to pay close attention to a normally unconscious behaviour. (credit:FogStock/Alin Dragulin via Getty Images)
8. Keep Active(08 of10)
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Exercise can improve our energy levels and immune system, as well as our sense of wellbeing, sleep, and brain health.
Again, variety can be key, and taking up a new activity – be it yoga, swimming, Nordic walking or kick boxing – is invigorating and pushes us to learn new disciplines.
Nervous about something new? Take a friend along to encourage you and so you can both make changes in your life. (credit:Assembly via Getty Images)
9. Ditch The Caffeine, Switch To Water(09 of10)
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Although coffee or tea will give you an immediate boost, too many cups can be harmful for your brain.
Sipping water can be remarkably helpful when your energy levels are ebbing or your concentration is starting to dip. (credit:Indeed via Getty Images)
10. Have Fun(10 of10)
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Finally, just in case this has all sounded a bit serious so far, the tenth tip is to simply: “have fun”.
Socialising and spending happy time with friends and family enables the sharing of experiences, challenges, emotions, trust, and understanding.
Research shows that people with five or more regular social ties halved their risk of cognitive decline compared to those with no social ties. (credit:kristian sekulic via Getty Images)