15 Jan Michael Sizemore Disability Insurance Case Study
Michael Sizemore: Long Road Back
At 26, Michael Sizemore was living two of his dreams. Ever the athlete, he was training to participate in his first marathon. And he was enjoying his new position advocating for the unemployed and disadvantaged in his community through the nonprofit organization where he worked. After years of study and earning his masters degree in public administration, he felt prepared to start his life’s mission of helping others.
Both those dreams came crashing down around him one night while he was out with friends. As they were walking across the street, a drunk driver ran a red light at high speed and hit Michael.
His injuries were so severe, including major head trauma, that doctors were unsure if he would survive. He was placed Did you know that 1 in 4 of today’s 20 year-olds will become disabled at some point in their career?1 That’s why it’s so important to understand what disability insurance is and ensure you have adequate coverage. Learn more at www.lifehappens.org/DI. ttit 1 U.S. Social Security Administration. Fact Sheet Feb. 7, 2013 in an induced coma and his parents rushed to his side. There were countless surgeries to treat his head injuries, repair his shattered legs and address the multitude of other injuries he suffered.
Through strength, determination and a lot of rehabilitation, Michael is improving every day, including being able to walk again. But during the three years it has taken, he has been unable to return to work. Instead, he has relied on the long-term disability insurance he had through work, which replaces a percentage of his salary. With it, he’s been able to pay his rent and utilities, and afford to keep his truck.
While his life will never be as it was before, Michael is hopeful that he’ll be able to work again soon. And he credits his disability insurance with helping him get there. “I’m still rebuilding my life and myself,” he says. “My disability insurance has been key. I wouldn’t be where I am without it.”
Did you know that 1 in 4 of today’s 20 year-olds will become disabled at some point in their career?1 That’s why it’s so important to understand what disability insurance is and ensure you have adequate coverage. Contact QQIS today and learn how you can protect your family with our comprehensive Disability Insurance products.
(1) U.S. Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet Feb 7, 2013
Michael Sizemore Disability Insurance Case Study – Video Transcription
Michael: At the age of twenty-seven, I was training for my first marathon. I was living my dream and I always wanted to serve those who had the least and I got the opportunity to do that with a trade association. I was policy and implementation associate.
James (Insurance Professional): This was Mike’s first job right out of college and the employer paid for the disability insurance, they paid for the life insurance and they paid for the health insurance and also contributed for him on the retirement and he could add money and contribute as well.
Susan (mother): Michael was in Washington, DC and was crossing the street when he was hit by a drunk driver. He was rushed to a trauma center in DC. When we got to see Michael, he was of course unconscious, they put him in a medically induced coma. They were dealing with multiple fractures in his leg, a separated shoulder, a fractured cheek, a skull fracture, and a traumatic brain injury. Michael’s hospital bills were almost two million dollars. No normal person could have been prepared to handle that on their own.
Michael: I underwent a year and a half of therapy, physical, occupational, speech. It’s been a hard fight but it’s one that I took on. I’m still recovering and I’m yet to go back to work. A big hindrance is the fact that I am prone to seizures and I have one every few months. Disability insurance gives me my freedom, I can pay the bills, I can go about doing my life as I please.
James: Mike’s individual disability policy pays for not only giving him a income, but it also pays quite a bit for rehabilitation expenses, because these policies were individual policies and not group. Knowing Mike is still disabled I worked directly with him and don’t work with the employer.
Michael: No one plans for a tragedy but when you have one, having disability insurance will give you your freedom back.