User:Gelsbernd/Shining Star of Perseverance

The Shining Star of Perseverance is a national award presented annually by Assurant Employee Benefits’ WillReturn Council® to an individual(s) who has made a significant recent contribution toward demonstrating perseverance through disabling illness or injury.

History
The award was established in 2003 by Assurant Employee Benefits’ WillReturn Council in 2003. The Council also created the Perseverance Hall of Fame to honor the Perseverance Award winners. The award was first presented on July 23, 2003. The award recognizes recipients who have overcome obstacles in their personal and/or professional lives and have gone on to be inspirations to others.

Nominations
Assurant Employee Benefits employees nominate deserving individuals for consideration. The winner is selected by Assurant Employee Benefits’ WillReturn Council®.

Past Award Recipients
Aron Ralston – The first award recipient in 2003 was the mountaineer who made national and international headlines for amputating his arm in order to save his life.

Robert Dole - The 2004 recipient was former U.S. Senator, who overcame devastating battlefield injuries sustained during World War II.

Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Lourake - The 2005 award recipient was the first American military pilot to return to active flying duty after an above-the-knee amputation. Jeff Matovic - The 2006 award winner was a non-doctor who researched his own surgical cure for Tourette Syndrome and spent years searching for a doctor who would agree to perform the surgery.

Nordie’s at Noon - Winners of the 2007 were the authors of the Nordie’s at Noon book about coming together to reach the common goal of beating breast cancer.

Corporal J.R. Martinez, U.S. Army (Retired) - The 2008 award recipient was who suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation as the result of a Humvee accident and subsequent explosion that occurred while on active duty in Iraq.

Gilbert Tuhabonye - The 2009 award recipient survived Hutu/Tutsi warfare in his native Burundi, and went on to participate in college and international track, including participating in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The WillReturn Council
The WillReturn Council® recognizes the efforts of people who have filed disability claimants in returning to productive lives after disabling illnesses and injuries. The group also seeks to improve future Assurant Employee Benefits disability products and claims management processes through learning from successful disability situations.

In addition to the annual Shining Star of Perseverance award, the Council gives:


 * Perseverance Award - awarded to exceptional disability claimants of Assurant Employee Benefits


 * Partnership Award - awarded to policyholders who have demonstrated commitment to helping employees return to productive lives following disability.


 * Pacesetter Award - awarded to health care facilities or individuals working in the healthcare field who demonstrate exceptional leadership, dedication, skill and commitment to help disabled patients return to active, productive, healthy lives.