Nothing is certain, except uncertainty. You really never know when you or someone you love might experience a life-changing event or diagnosis.
My guest on the most recent Lean Out Podcast is Dr. Sara Whittingham. Sara is an anesthesiologist, an Air Force veteran who served in Afghanistan, an endurance athlete, a wife, and a mom. Sara was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2020, which shook her world and also prompted her to become a fierce advocate for both Parkinson’s patients and veterans.
While we don’t want to hold back and live our lives in fear, one important thing to do is be prepared financially for something like this to happen. Sara was diagnosed with Parkinson’s right after she started a job at a new hospital, and luckily they had an excellent disability policy she’s been able to take advantage of.
I was diagnosed with a cancer during my residency when it wasn’t really on my radar to seek out own-occupation disability insurance, and after that diagnosis, I couldn’t qualify for it. Lots of professionals are the predominant earners in their families, so this kind of thing might be very important for you. I’ve known Sara and a decent number of other physicians who needed to tap into their policies, either in the short-term or long term. Reasons for making claims include a hand injury and a diagnosis of leukemia with the need for a bone marrow transplant!
(If own-occupation disability insurance is something you haven’t explored at this point, then you should definitely take a look at what’s out there. I recommend a service like Pattern, which searches for you and matches you with policies.)
Sara is an example of not wallowing in the negative but taking action and living out her dreams of doing big, long races now, while she can. You could be the example for someone who thinks their life is over after a big change. In this episode, Sara shares her journey as a physician and a patient, navigating life events – both positive and negative – that she never would have imagined. We discuss her recent transition out of clinical medicine and her pivot to more advocacy work, in addition to how she takes care of her own physical, mental, and financial health. You won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation!
What is one thing you’ve been wanting to do or try, but you’ve been holding back? Maybe the time is now. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Design Your Life
