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Thanya de Carvalho, Marketing Lead at Momentum Financial Planning, shares how a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in 2012 upended her life and insurance status. She reflects on the lessons it taught about financial resilience, preparation, and support networks.
What Happened
Thanya’s health changed unexpectedly, starting with minor symptoms that escalated into a MS diagnosis. The news shook her independence and disrupted daily routines.
“It felt as though the floor opened beneath me. Suddenly, the life I had built felt uncertain,” she recalls.
Her diagnosis also affected her financial security. Two weeks before her diagnosis, she had considered increasing her insurance cover but delayed. Once the MS diagnosis was official, insurers deemed her uninsurable for related benefits.
“That was one of the most devastating financial lessons of my life,” she says.
Official Response
Thanya highlights the role of financial advisers in protecting future stability. Professional guidance can help clients anticipate risks before illness strikes and maintain access to insurance coverage.
“A financial adviser safeguards your future self, not just your present,” she explains.
She also emphasises trusting medical professionals. Neurologists and specialists provided guidance that helped her manage uncertainty, avoid panic decisions, and stabilise her health journey.
Community Impact
Her story underscores the importance of preparation and support. MS forced reliance on family, friends, and colleagues, teaching her that independence often depends on a strong network. Home adaptations and accessibility changes brought unexpected financial pressures, illustrating how chronic illness affects both health and finances.
“Good health is the most important asset a person can have,” she notes.
Thanya urges young people to start financial planning early, review coverage regularly, and build resilience for life’s unexpected challenges. She frames financial preparation as empowerment rather than fear, ensuring that people retain choices, dignity, and control even in crisis.
