Chasity’s Story: Strength Through Support
Chasity taught in Kentucky for 18 years, primarily focusing on 5th-grade reading. She enjoyed spending time with her colleagues, but her favorite thing about teaching was being with her students.
Chasity signed up for Disability Income Insurance while her first child was young, knowing that she may need some extra protection. She also added a Limited Benefit Cancer Insurance policy because her husband’s side of the family had a history of cancer. As the years went by, she used her disability coverage for her additional two pregnancies and for a few other incidents. It wasn’t until a few short years later that she really put her policies to the test.
A Shocking Diagnosis
One day while in her school’s library, Chasity felt a sharp pain in her back. She phoned her husband thinking she might be having a heart attack. She went home and made an appointment to see her doctor the following day. After a CT scan, they initially thought she had pneumonia, but soon discovered it was something far worse. “When I was first told that I had lung cancer, the first thing I thought about was my kids,” Chasity said. “How was this possible? I don’t smoke. I had stage 4 lung cancer at the age of 40.”
Focus on Surviving
Chasity was able to use her cancer insurance benefits to get second opinions and pay the differences in bills that her major medical plan didn’t cover. It also helped with transportation costs since she needed treatments two hours from home.
“When I was diagnosed, I wasn’t thinking about how I was going to pay for anything or insurance. I was thinking about living. American Fidelity took the pressure of paying for treatments and travelling off the plate. I could focus on surviving, beating this cancer. My cancer benefits really paid for my treatments. Every treatment I had; I’d get money back. Just my daily chemotherapy pill cost me $15,000 a month. Through American Fidelity and my major medical insurance, I have not been out any money. None. And I’ve been fighting cancer for four years now.“
Long Road to Recovery
Chasity was able to use her disability and cancer policies throughout her treatment. Although her diagnosis meant she had to stop teaching, she was able to keep her coverage and is looking forward to getting back to other things she loves, like running. She is also a big advocate for lung cancer awareness and participates with several of her local non-profits.
Chasity’s diagnosis was a surprise, but her policies helped her be prepared. “Do yourself a favor and take out that cancer and disability policy. The monthly cost doesn’t even compare to the costs you’ll face if you receive a diagnosis like mine. I don’t know where I’d be without American Fidelity, financially or mentally. I’ve had tons of treatments and four surgeries and we’re still ahead of our bills. My policies have taken care of me.”
Watch Chasity's Story
This blog is up to date as of January 2023 and has not been updated for changes in the law, administration or current events.
