Paralympian Favorite Teams with LIFE Foundation to Build Disability Insurance Awareness |
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Written by U.S. Insurance News
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Monday, 12 May 2008 |
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April Holmes, a paralympic athlete has become the spokesperson for the LIFE Foundation’s Disability Insurance Awareness Month (DIAM) campaign. Holmes, a track star, will be traveling to Beijing in September to compete in the Paralympic Games in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Here at home, however, she will be encouraging working Americans to make sure they are “on track” with regard to disability insurance.
Holmes learned about the benefits of disability insurance when she lost her left leg in a train accident in 2001. The former collegiate track and field star fortunately had group disability insurance through her employer which replaced a large part her income while she was recovering. "Like most people who are young and healthy, I never anticipated that something so unexpected would happen to me and have such a dramatic impact on my life," said Holmes. "I didn't fully understand or appreciate the disability insurance benefits I had through my employer until I needed it, but I was fortunate to have it in place so that I could focus on my recovery and eventually think about new pursuits as a disabled athlete.”
Holmes will be promoting her message through television, radio, newspapers and public appearances across the country. “April’s story is a sobering example of how life can change in an instant. The odds of experiencing an injury or illness that prevents someone from working are much greater then most people realize, yet disability insurance continues to be the most overlooked and misunderstood type of insurance today,” explained Marvin Feldman, LIFE”s CEO and president.
Founded in 1994, the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) responds to the public's need for information and education on life, health, disability and long-term care insurance. |
