When life deals a harsh blow, Discovery is there.

A young father, husband and business owner from KwaZulul-Natal became inexplicably ill, experiencing shortness of breath and increasing stress.

“My business was under strain. I was stressed and this made me more ill. I saw so many doctors, who misdiagnosed me several times,” says the member.

“A month later, I woke up in the morning but I could not walk. I was admitted into hospital on a Sunday. I saw a neurologist who did tests and an MRI, which showed my cerebellum function was decreasing.”

The cerebellum, in the back of the brain, receives information from the sensory systems, including the spinal cord, to regulate motor movements. Actions like posture and balance, coordination and speech are controlled here.

The tests revealed that the member has Spinocerebellar Ataxia, a genetic disorder that causes the slow incoordination, particularly of gait, hand, speech and eye movement.

“My blood was sent to Cape Town for genetic testing, which confirmed the results. There is no cure or treatment for this disorder. It affects all aspects of my movement, speech and fine motor skills,” says he says.

Impaired functioning means he must see a speech therapist, an occupational therapist and a biokineticist for assistance. “However, this helps to a certain degree. The disease is slowly degenerative,” he says. 

The blow of a difficult diagnosis, softened by support from Discovery

“My Discovery Income Continuation, Severe Illness and Disability Benefits all paid out immediately once I was diagnosed. Discovery was very helpful and sympathetic to my needs,” he says.

“I have full faith in my Discovery products and will recommend them to anyone, but I also feel my financial adviser, Lennon Pillay, made the correct recommendations when I was signing up. The manner in which I was treated by my financial adviser most definitely made all the difference. The payment was effected accordingly, but he was very helpful and understanding of my needs. Everything about the process was handled professionally,” he says. 

The man’s adviser, says the claims process and that of other clients, renewed his faith in his products. “It is really an amazing accomplishment when we see policies come into effect. At the end of the day, we sell promises to clients, in the form of a product, which will protect them in any eventuality. The experience with Discovery has been exemplary and I can continue to advise clients with confidence that whatever unexpected events may arise in their lives, they are covered. It really encourages me to want to continue to do this for my clients.”

Discovery Life Limited. Registration number 1966/003901/06, is a registered long-term insurer, and an authorised financial services and registered credit provider, NCR registration number NCRCP3555. Product rules, terms and conditions apply.