Stories can change the world and FMI aspires to share those stories

Brad Toerien the chief executive officer of FMI Income Protector, hosted a proud day on 16 August, in honour of 21 years of service.

The company started #21Lives to share the stories of the lives of people they have encountered and touched across 21 years.

The company split into 21 teams and started looking into the lives of their clients. They travelled from place to place in Gus Bus (a vintage Volkswagen) to find inspiring stories.

FMI shared those stories with the public on their website and at the event. The people were touched by the inspiring stories of people who fell ill and whose lives were turned upside down by unplanned events.

Warren Bonn saw 73 different medical specialists and was told that he had a hemangioma, which diagnosis then changed to an arteriovenous malformation and doctors wanted to surgically remove his tongue.

This would mean that he would not be able to speak properly and he would have to eat soft pureed foods for the rest of his life. He decided that he wanted to speak normally and he wanted to enjoy eating solid foods. He sought a second medical opinion.

Through medical second opinion companies they came across doctor Alejandro Berenstein. After his medical insurance turned him down he started his own funding and was able to go for the first part of his surgery which cost US$50 000. He is now doing a lot better and encourages people to get a medical second opinion if something doesn’t feel right.

Daniela Leigh is one of the other FMI customers who shared her story.

She is a passionate real estate agent and loves her job; she especially enjoys working with people but she experiences a lot of pain daily, which started in 2007. After a series of blood tests and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), which went very wrong, finally, in 2010, doctors diagnosed Leigh with lupus disease. In her video, she explains that she can still work but at least with FMI she can take the necessary time off work without constant worry, because of FMI income protection. She explained that she wakes up with pain most days and feels fatigue, which are both typical symptoms for lupus disease.

Bongani Bingwa, the well-known Carte Blanche journalist was the key speaker and spoke beautifully about the art of storytelling. The event took place at Langhams and the guests were treated to scrumptious food and beverages.

To watch the inspiring stories, log on to www.fmi.co.za

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