As a former college baseball player, Joshua Garcia initially attributed the painful rashes that were popping up on his body to normal, everyday chafing. He had no idea how serious his condition was or the nightmarish health journey that he was about to embark upon.

Watch as Joshua describes his experience of being diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa, a crippling skin condition that left him imprisoned in his apartment for months and unable to care for himself. The pain caused by Joshua’s condition made everyday activities like walking, bathing, and even lying down excruciating.

As fate would have it, Joshua’s mother, Paula, works as a financial professional specializing in Living Benefits life insurance. Paula had taken out several Living Benefits policies on Joshua as gifts, prior to him getting sick. The Chronic Illness Rider on Joshua’s Living Benefits policies provided crucial financial relief as he worked through treatment and recovery.