Why Thinking “This Will Never Happen to Me”
is the Wrong Way to Plan for Your Future 

Rebecca Bliss
Nov. 27, 2017

The summer I turned 28, I was interning at a nonprofit organization to fulfill a requirement of my graduate studies. I had developed a close relationship with the director of the organization, so when she lost someone close to her in an accident, it really rattled me. We had many upsets in our community over the last few years, and of course these were always disheartening, but this time I felt different. I started thinking about death from a practical standpoint. Yes, it upset me to think about how my family would feel if I died, but I also thought about the financial burden; apparently funerals are expensive. I became aware of the importance of a Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy. Suddenly, I felt the need to put my house in order. I realized that anything could happen to me, and I wanted to be ready.  So at the age of 28, I took out a life insurance policy.

If you do not have a life insurance policy, let me explain a little about the process. Your premium is basically based on your age and health. You are asked several questions about your health, your blood pressure is taken, and your blood is tested for any concerning conditions. Basically, the insurance company wants to know how likely it is you are going to die tomorrow, or, within a short period of time anyway.  I was considered young and in very good health. I was a nonsmoker, exercised regularly, ate healthy foods, watched my weight, etc. Therefore, I had a very reasonable premium.

Let’s fast forward three years. It is 2015 and I am 31 years old. I am happy, really happy, and in the best shape of my life. I feel like I can conquer the world. And then, one of those things that everyone believes will never happen to them, happens to me. I get diagnosed with a rare head and neck cancer called Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. It is so rare most doctors have never even heard of it (I will save this story for another time). So, at the age of 31, I put my career on hold and moved home with my parents.

Remembering the importance of having a Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy, I signed, what at the time felt like my independence, over to my dad. I understand why people wait to do this, or never do it at all.  You may think you have plenty of time to do these things. You may also not want to think about dying or giving someone else power over your financial and health decisions, but let me tell you, after going through this myself, this is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself.

After I had surgery to remove my tumor, part of the reconstruction failed—leaving it extremely tiring to speak, and my speech difficult to understand. So, when my health insurance kept denying coverage of the treatment I needed, with Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney, my dad could help me fight it. He helped me call the insurance company almost every other day to check on the status of my appeals. He ordered medications and health supplies when I was too sick to do it myself. He spoke to doctors when I was too tired. My dad was my voice when I couldn’t be. But that is not all.

Because my dad was my Power of Attorney, when I was too sick to go to the bank, he did it for me. When my mom took me to Philadelphia for 6 weeks for treatment, and I did not have access to my mail to pay my bills, or when I was too sick to care about them, my dad signed his name to my checks and paid them. When there were issues with a medical bill, my dad called and spoke to the hospital on my behalf. My dad eliminated many of my worries so that I could focus on getting better.

Because I named my dad as my Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy, he could be my advocate when I couldn’t. And, remember that life insurance policy I took out? It was good that I did it when I did. Since I was in great health at the time I enrolled, my premium continues to remain low. If I tried to take out life insurance now, I probably would either be denied or unable to afford it. 

Unfortunately, we cannot live our lives thinking "this will never happen to me". 

The truth is, we cannot control our future or what happens to us, but we can be prepared.