Formula 1 presenter, Jennie Gow, has praised the "life changing" support she received from her income protection policy after suffering a stroke.
In August 2022, while being young, fit, and healthy, Gow was advised to take out income protection which would enable her to continue to help to provide for her husband and young daughter.
Months later, following what she thought was a common cold leaving her with a bad cough, Gow collapsed in her home.
It was later confirmed that she had suffered a stroke triggered by her coughing.
While recovering in hospital, Gow said her income protection from LV= was a “life changer” for her and her family as “I couldn’t speak, let alone work, and we didn’t know if I’d ever get back”.
The BBC News F1 correspondent added: “When my adviser contacted LV=, I don’t think there were any questions around whether they were going to pay or not, as it was just automatic that this happened.
“LV= said you need to react to this and we will have your back, and as a company, it was quite impressive to be honest.”
The income protection policy that Gow took out also included rehab support services to help with her recovery and specialist speech and language therapy sessions supported Gow to return to work.
LV= protection sales director, Mike Farrell, said: “We are pleased we were able to help Gow get back to work at her own pace, easing the pressure of either being unable to work full time or supporting her family financially."
Gow has since worked with Different Strokes, a charity that helps younger stroke survivors and their families in the UK to reclaim their lives through active peer support.
Different Strokes CEO, Austin Willet, said: “There’s a common misconception that strokes only happen to the elderly, but the truth is that one in four strokes affect people of working age.
“Raising awareness of this reality is crucial, especially since a stroke is a life-changing event that often comes without warning. By understanding that strokes can happen to anyone, we can better prepare and protect ourselves."
tom.dunstan@ft.com
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