Mark Boucher, still doing great things

When cricket legend Mark Boucher had his illustrious career cut short by injury, it was not only traumatic and painful, but also life-changing.

For the Proteas’ fans, Boucher had become a reassuring face in the team since his Test debut in 2007. He holds many records, including that of taking the most Test dismissals, and was respected as one of the team’s most strategic minds.

But life can change in an instant and on 9 July it did for Boucher when a wicket bail spun up and struck him in the eye, effectively ending his playing career. And while plaudits and messages of goodwill flowed in from around the cricketing world, Boucher’s injury changed his life.

Fortunately, Boucher’s income protection plan has allowed him the freedom to recover and adjust to his new circumstances.

“I continue to learn new ways of doing thing with the help of my eye specialist and other support,” he says. “I’m slowing adapting to my new life.”

Boucher has since set up, in conjunction with SAB, the SAB–Boucher Conservation NPC and is following his passion to save another South African icon, the critically endangered rhino. His participation in the “Our Rhino In Safe Hands” campaign couldn’t come at a more critical time, with more than 420 rhino killed by poachers so far in 2012.

Mark Boucher will cycle 50km in Cape Town and Joburg to raise funds for the Quad Para Association, supported by the Old Mutual Foundation, and the “Our Rhino in Safe Hands” campaign, which is supported by the SAB-Boucher Conservation NPC.

Ferdi Booysen, Greenlight product manager at Old Mutual says, “Mark remains one of the cricketing world’s most respected sportsmen and it’s great to see the progress he has made since his injury in July. Research proves that stress slows down recovery from injury and illness, so the fact that he’s recovered enough to cycle 100km in a few days shows he’s doing really well and is positive about life.”

Booysen adds: “Your ability to earn an income is one of the most valuable assets you’ll have during your working career. Many of us never really consider what would happen to us if we suddenly lost our ability to earn that income and as a result were unable to provide for our families.”

“Even an unexpected illness can prevent you from working, and depending on your occupation, you and your family may be left with a reduced income, or worse, no income at all.”

While disability cover will provide an income when you are no longer able to earn a salary, life cover will take care of your loved ones when you are no longer there to provide for them, he adds.

Did you know?

• Men have a 43% chance of becoming seriously disabled during their working years

• Most illness and disability claims arise between the ages of 41 and 60

• The average age at death is 55; for disability the average age is 44 and suffering from a severe illness is 49.

These statistics can seem scary, but they highlight how important it is to get advice about affordable cover as early as possible. Doing this will empower you, your family and your business partners to do great things, wherever life’s path takes you.