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Life Happens first met Mike Sizemore in 2015<\/a>, three years after a drunk driver hit him while he was crossing the street and his life changed forever. We captured his story as part of our Real Life Stories<\/a> program\u2014at the time, he was still recovering from the accident following countless surgeries. Fortunately, he had disability insurance when he needed it most and could continue paying his bills and rent while he was unable to return to work.<\/p>\n We recently had the opportunity to follow up on Mike\u2019s story and see how he\u2019s doing now, more than a decade after the accident.<\/p>\n Mike Sizemore: <\/strong>A decade ago, when I was 27, I was hit by a drunk driver while I was walking across an intersection. I was so badly injured\u2014fractured skull, separated shoulder, shattered legs\u2014that doctors weren\u2019t sure I\u2019d live.<\/p>\n Mike: <\/strong>The accident changed my whole outlook on life. I was in critical care for months and then spent another year and a half learning how to walk, talk and function all over again. I was at the start of my career, which looked so promising, and suddenly I was unable to work.<\/p>\n Mike: <\/strong>It\u2019s been a financial lifesaver. It replaced a significant portion of my income when I couldn\u2019t work at all. And with my traumatic brain injury, I\u2019m still not able to work full-time. So, it supplements my income, allowing me to live a full life. My fianc\u00e9e and I just bought a house, and I\u2019m able to give my son the childhood he deserves.<\/p>\n Mike:<\/strong> Don\u2019t think that it can\u2019t happen to you. It comes down to the simple fact that if you work and rely on your income, you need disability insurance.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Life Happens: What\u2019s one moment that changed your life?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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LH: How was your life different?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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LH: How did disability insurance help?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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LH: What\u2019s your advice to others?<\/strong><\/h3>\n