From The Straits Times    |
Live Life Your Way

Life is full of twists and turns – some are expected, but many are not. Our health, living situation and job circumstances can change for the worst at the drop of a hat. And if we’re not prepared for the upheaval these changes can bring, we may find ourselves stuck, not just emotionally but also financially.

Women today are empowered with more options to deal with setbacks compared to the past. Having the right insurance and protection can provide essential support while we cope with the challenges. Be inspired by these two women as they chart their own path.

Melissa Yambao

Melissa Yambao, 34
Finance executive/breast cancer survivor

When Melissa found out she had breast cancer, she was devastated. She knew she had to undergo hormone therapy, but she did not think about freezing her eggs – until her doctor suggested it. Since she planned to have children in the future, and was aware that hormone therapy may decrease her fertility, she decided to freeze her eggs to protect them from the damaging effects of the treatment.

“It’s a form of insurance – to have the option of starting a family,” says Melissa. “And I feel blessed to have the flexibility to choose my doctor and treatment. If every woman has that, it would be awesome. Insurance should not just help you deal with the financial stress and find the appropriate treatment, but support your dreams and aspirations, too.”

She feels she has emerged more resilient after this curve ball. She advises other women to do the same – never stop asking questions, evaluate your options, and have the resilience to continue to fight for who you are. “I’m very happy there’s finally an insurance policy out there that provides a payout for egg freezing, and I’m sure a lot of women will benefit from it,” she says.

 

Farzana Abdul Razak

Farzana Abdul Razak, 35
Stay-at-home mum of three/plane crash survivor

Surviving a plane crash is a distressing, life-changing event, and it was exactly this that turned Farzana’s world upside-down. She was only 18 years old, and four months into her job as an air stewardess, when the plane she was on crashed. Farzana suffered severe burns and experienced depression as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The accident left a deep, emotional impact on her, and she sought help through psychological counselling and psychiatric treatments. The process was long and slow, but therapy has helped overcome the trauma. “I realised that it is helpful to have someone to talk to and who listens to whatever worries you have. I would encourage people to get help if you feel upset or depressed, even if you have not suffered any accident,” she says. It has taught her to be more adaptable, and to see the best in whatever situation she faces, even if it is not positive.

Reflecting on modern women of today, she believes that they now have more choices and freedom to live the life they want. “It’s quite liberating but you have to live with the consequences.” She feels lucky to have insurance when she did, and to her, the benefits of having an insurance policy from a young age are clear. “You never know when an accident will happen or when your health will be affected. So it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

 

Specially for women
An insurance policy is one way to protect your changing needs and responsibilities. Income has designed Lady 360^, a regular premium protection plan tailored
specifically for women and their needs. It provides comprehensive coverage for specific female illnesses and surgeries, post-diagnosis support, as well as death, giving you peace of mind as you tackle life’s challenges. The plan also offers:

 

Oocyte cryopreservation benefit (egg freezing before chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat cancer).
 Molecular gene expression profiling test for treatment guidance benefit due to breast cancer.
Outpatient psychiatric benefit, which provides support for major depressive disorder or anxiety disorder due to traumatic life events.
Complimentary health screening tailored to your needs every two years.
Waiver of premium for the next 24 months upon diagnosis of a specified female illness (or until the policy ends, whichever is earlier).

To learn more, speak to your Income adviser or chat online with an Income adviser at www.income.com.sg/AdviserConnect.

 

^This is only for general information. This plan is underwritten and issued by Income. You can find the usual terms and conditions of this plan at www.income.com.sg/lady-360-policy-conditions.pdf. All our products are developed to benefit our customers, but not all may be suitable for your specific needs. If you are unsure if this plan is suitable for you, we strongly encourage you to speak to a qualified insurance adviser. Otherwise you may end up buying a plan that does not meet your expectations or needs. As a result, you may not be able to afford the premiums or get the insurance protection you want. This plan does not have any cash value. Information is correct as of Sep 4, 2017.