These home modifications will help me live better with Cushing’s

Moving is always challenging, and getting used to a new neighborhood or city can be a little overwhelming.

I’m writing this column while sprawled out in bed two weeks after I moved from New York to Michigan. Due to Cushing’s disease, my use of mobility aids, and the cost of living in New York, my husband and I realized that I simply wasn’t thriving there. After much debate, we packed up and moved across country.

So far, things are going well. We managed to paint our bedroom and get a bed set up so we can at least relax. With a new house, I’ve decided to be as honest as possible with myself. I tend to do things based on what I hope to be instead of who I actually am. For example, I set a goal of walking 10,000 steps a day, even though I’m an ambulatory wheelchair user with bone and muscle issues. A much more obvious strategy would be to work my way up to that number of steps slowly and safely.

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Given all of this, for the house, we’re basing our styling options on who I am right now, not who I might be one day. Here are a few examples:

• Although our main bedroom is on the second floor, we have another bedroom on the first floor with a bathroom for days when stairs are too overwhelming for me.
• Instead of a regular dining table, we’re getting one with benches to allow me to lift my legs, which is a lot less painful.
• We’re adding a second railing to the staircase to assist with my balance.
• We’re putting a refrigerator on the second floor with water and snacks in case I’m unable to descend the stairs.
• We’re setting up multiple shady spots in the backyard, as heat tends to overwhelm my system.
• Every room, including the bathroom and kitchen, will have some type of area where I can sit down.
• We’re adding floor seating, which is more comfortable for me.
• We have a fan in each room so I don’t overheat. Each one has a remote control so I don’t have to get out of bed or off the floor if I’m not feeling up to it.

I’m trying to plan the design of our house to suit my needs, rather than adjusting my needs to the home. Of course, getting all of this together is a slow and steady process, but we’re doing our best. For now, I relish in the fact that I can step outside and onto the porch, which I couldn’t do in New York. The fresh air and sunshine have made a big difference in my mental health. I hope to create a home that will support both the management of my illness and my mental health.

I look forward to sharing more updates in future columns. If you have tips to make a home safer for those of us with chronic conditions, please share in the comments below.

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.