No family should be alone in their darkest hour

Our lives – all the things we know and love – can change in an instant. That’s always been true, but COVID-19 has brought that fact into focus.

Worrying about the unknown can have an impact on our overall well-being, which leads me to a simple truth: Americans’ future emotional, physical and financial health are all shaped by decisions that they make today. 

As an example of this, I want to share a story about the Lashley family from Louisiana– a thriving family with young children who faced significant challenges in 2020:

It was April 19, 2020 when Dr. Grant Lashley, a Northwestern Mutual client, began to develop strange symptoms including coughing and shortness of breath. Knowing that he was frequently exposed to COVID-19 at work, and knowing how his patients had fared with the virus, he went to the hospital to get himself checked out. His doctors grew concerned about his severely descendent oxygen saturation levels and make the decision to intubate him. In fact, that medical guidance was the last thing Dr. Lashley would remember for 39 days. He was unconscious and on a ventilator for more than a month, as doctors worked tirelessly to help him recover.

I can’t imagine how scary that time must have been for Grant and his wife Melisa, as well as for their young children. With no visitors allowed, the Lashley family sought reassurance and support from their immediate family, close friends, their team of doctors. They also turned to Tyson Cromwell, their Northwestern Mutual financial advisor.

Because of their partnership with Tyson, this family was never alone in the fight. Tyson knew that they had taken steps to be prepared financially. Because of the planning they had done together, Grant advised Melisa to focus on their family rather than worrying about money, so Melisa could be a proactive advocate for her husband, keep the household functioning, and take care of her own mental health.

Stories like this one are why I’m so genuinely passionate about the work we do at Northwestern Mutual and the financial strength, security and results we deliver. Our advisors help people to live their lives today, build wealth to reach tomorrow’s dreams, and overcome the challenges we can’t possibly anticipate.

It’s not surprising that the pandemic has created new interest in disability insurance – as Americans witnessed thousands of their colleagues unable to promptly return to work due to prolonged illnesses and hospitalizations. Beyond COVID, studies prove that more than one in four of today’s 20-year-olds can expect to be out of work for at least a year because of an injury, illness or complication before they reach the normal retirement age. On average, every year, one in eighteen working Americans will experience a short-term disability (six months or less) due to life events like illnesses and injuries every year. While Dr. Lashley’s story is remarkable, aspects of it are more common than you’d think.

I am beyond grateful that we have advisors like Tyson across the country, and that Dr. Lashley is generously sharing his family’s story with us. Without a doubt, the best part is that the Lashley’s story will go on. They can begin their next normal and continue to pursue their dreams – for themselves and their children.

No matter what happens now or in the future, I feel hopeful knowing that our company is built to last, and that our advisors will be there with clients, side-by-side, to help them navigate the road ahead – especially to take steps today that help them prepare financially for the unexpected in the years ahead, just like the Lashleys.