Finding fulfillment after Cushing’s forced me to change careers
Remember, there's no shame in pivoting
Getting diagnosed with Cushing’s disease in 2020 changed my life — and my career path. I’d been out of college for only a year when I became sick and had to quit my job. I could barely get out of bed, let alone work or study. It was impossible to push through my symptoms.
I studied acting in college and participated in some great projects. But memorizing lines became overwhelming due to the brain fog that accompanies Cushing’s disease. Filming self-tapes made me exhausted, and I worried about how I’d function on a set. What if I had to film during a flare-up? What if I needed my mobility aids?
That’s how I found myself unemployed and living in my parents’ basement in my early 20s. I often locked myself in the bathroom, wondering who I was. I felt like I was stuck on a moving train that I hadn’t bought a ticket for. I grieved the life I thought I’d be living.
Sometimes a change in careers is for the best
I spent a long time unemployed before I found the perfect balance in my career. I now work at Bionews, the parent company of this website, as a writer and in other capacities. It brings me so much joy to help people with Cushing’s disease and to elevate the voices of those with chronic and rare illnesses. Community is so important, and working here makes me very proud.
I’m also writing a novel and will pursue this passion until I get a book published. In many ways, I’m grateful for my illness. I’m not sure I would’ve embraced writing so fiercely without it. Penning my first novel has brought me peace and immense healing. It also never feels like work. Whether I’m writing columns, articles, or my book, it feels exciting, like it’s what I’m supposed to be doing.
People have always told me that if I don’t love what I’m doing, I should find another job. I’ve realized that I love writing; in fact, it’s one of the greatest loves of my life.
It’s so hard to have a plan interrupted. I was devastated when I got sick because I felt like I was deviating from what I was meant to be — an actor. But at the end of the day, I’m more fulfilled now than I’ve ever been. I love my book, and I’ll love anything I write in the future. I’m proud of my work at Bionews and of the person I’ve become.
Today, I’m married, I live in an adorable apartment, and my choices allow me to feel free. Of course, wanting to publish books brings on a new set of struggles, but these challenges are much more manageable than my health.
If you feel the way I felt years ago — when I trapped myself in the bathroom and thought the world was ending — please know that change isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, it leads you to find your true happiness. So let yourself ride that train — you never know where you might end up.
You can also follow my journey on TikTok and YouTube.
Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s.
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