GA Injury Advocates - June 2022

GA Injury Advocates - June 2022

Auto Injury T R I B U N E

June 2022

Celebrating Oscar, Everyone’s Favorite Grouch

We all have our bad moods. When things aren’t going well, it’s hard to keep up a cheery disposition. Maybe when you were at your worst, someone has called you an Oscar the Grouch after the lovable curmudgeon on “Sesame Street.” He was always one of my favorite characters on the show. June 1 marks his 53rd birthday, so it seems like the perfect opportunity to celebrate the entertainment he has brought to millions of children. Along with other mainstays like Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster, and the inseparable Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch was one of the original Muppets on “Sesame Street” when it debuted in 1969. As he is today, he was known for his gruff demeanor, love of garbage, and enjoying his own misery. But the green scruff was initially envisioned in an entirely different color. The Muppets’ creator Jim Henson originally conceived Oscar as magenta, but the limitations of television at the time meant the hue would not translate as intended. So, Oscar became orange and stayed that way for the first season of “Sesame Street.” The character explained his changed appearance at the start of season two by sharing that he’d just been on vacation at Swamp Mushy Muddy. It was so slimy and moldy there, he changed color — and naturally, he refused to wash off the filth. Oscar was played by the legendary Carroll Spinney, who also became Big Bird. And while he received his name from a particularly rude waiter, Spinney modeled Oscar’s voice off a stereotypical New York taxi driver. When Big Bird and Oscar had scenes together, Spinney would pre-record his voice tracks for Oscar and hand the puppet off to another puppeteer. Spinney played Oscar until he retired in 2018; sadly, he died only a year later. The original Oscar puppet was unwieldy, so it got a slight redesign in Season 1. Oscar had improved puppeteering mechanisms, and his previously static eyebrows received movement for the first time. In

1970, he turned green but retained a smaller, rounder head. Finally, in late 1970, they got the design just right, with Oscar getting the wide face and broad smile we all love. That puppet today is held by the National Museum of American History. Over the years, Oscar has gone on many adventures while only rarely leaving his garbage can. From time to time, he has also displayed a softer side, particularly when it comes to his pet worm, Slimey. Since the show moved to HBO, Oscar has also become less firm on his pro-garbage stance, appearing in both recycling and compost bins. When they first conceived the character, the “Sesame Street” creators intended Oscar to teach tolerance of different personalities. But his character has also served as a reminder that we don’t always need to be happy. And when it matters most, he rises to the occasion. Despite his unsunny disposition, Oscar is kind to children and willing to help his friends. In the end, there is a bit of grouch in all of us. We may not always dislike company or behave disagreeably, but we all have moments where we’d prefer to be left alone to wallow in misery. Being like Oscar isn’t so bad, after all — as long as you use a different hygiene routine.

El Abogado Ramiro (El Abogado Amigo) y su equipo hablan español

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School’s Out! What Can You Do? 4 Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy

3 EASY COOKING HACKS FOR BETTER NUTRITION

Making a meal plan is a pain, but you still want to get all your necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein through everyday foods. Even if you’re not a cooking expert, you can employ a few very simple cooking hacks in the dishes you commonly prepare! You’ll be surprised how these little boosts can reap big, nutritious rewards. NO. 1: ADD QUINOA TO RECIPES. Want to add extra texture or color to your steamed white or brown rice? Mix it up with 1 cup of quinoa (any color) and another 2 cups of water or broth. Or, simply throw quinoa into any grain-friendly soup you’re preparing, like a simple chicken soup! Quinoa is rich in antioxidants and filled with fiber to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, reducing your risk of diabetes and heart disease. NO. 2: REPLACE CREAMWITH ALMOND, WALNUT, OR OAT MILK. Cream is a popular mainstay in any American kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be dairy cream. Plant-based milk and creamer (such as almond, walnut, or oat milk) are often extra rich in vitamins and minerals and low in fat. They contain no cholesterol and are easy on your digestive system. Because they all have slightly different flavor profiles, you can pick your favorite! Walnut milk works surprisingly well in a creamy pasta sauce. NO. 3: ADD FROZEN SPINACH TO ALMOST ANYTHING. Fresh spinach quickly loses its folate, powerful vitamins, and nutritional benefits over time, but spinach, frozen at its peak freshness, saves the day. That’s why frozen spinach is actually more nutritious than most fresh spinach at the supermarket! Whether it’s for pasta, pizza, scrambled eggs, cheese dip, a smoothie, or curry, frozen spinach is more versatile than you might think. Plus, studies show spinach may have amino acids that help reduce stress and depression! (BONUS) NO. 4: ADD CHIA SEEDS TO COLD DRINKS, YOGURT, BAKED DESSERTS, AND MORE! It’s easy to feel guilty for indulging your cravings for sweet tea, pudding, cookies, and cake. But if you add chia seeds, you might feel a little better about it! These small seeds are densely packed with antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and

It’s summertime, which means your kids are out of school and at home during their break. This is an exciting time because you get to spend more time with your children, but it can also be stressful. Since your kids are not engaged in school every day with their peers, you may have to find ways to keep them entertained during the summer. Luckily, there are a few activities your children can do to stay busy and active while they’re on summer break. VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. Make a habit of visiting your local library once a week for your children to pick out books they can read. You can challenge them to see how many books they can complete over the summer. Although your child may read educational books for school, now is their time to pick out something they want to read just for fun. Some libraries offer summer reading programs and activities that your child can participate in. By going to the library over the summer, your child’s mind will stay engaged, and their love for reading can increase. GO TO LOCAL ATTRACTIONS. In most states, there are history and science museums, art galleries, and zoos that you and your children can visit. If these attractions are state-funded, they often have free admission for visitors. These activities are great if your child is a visual learner. They can touch and interact with exhibits and learn more about history or science. Who said learning couldn’t be both fun and educational? CREATE A CRAFT STATION. Do you have creative children? Then a craft station is a perfect activity to get their creative minds turning! You can either go to your big-box store and pick up some arts and crafts supplies, or you can use items from around your home, such as used printer paper, toilet paper rolls, old colored pencils or crayons, and items from nature. If you need inspiration on what to make, you can look online for different crafts your child can create. VISIT PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS. Summer camps can be expensive; luckily, some parks and recreation centers host day camps that are much cheaper than private camps. Sometimes they will have daily activities that your child can participate in to burn off some energy. If you’re looking for a place where your children can play outside and stay active, going to your local parks is a great resource. If they aren’t hosting day camps, you and your children can play outside by throwing a Frisbee, having a picnic, or going on a nature walk.

omega-3 fatty acids, all of which may promote heart health, support strong bones, and improve blood sugar management. We hope these tips help make your favorite dishes a little more fun and guilt-free! Enjoy!

Summer is an exciting time, and with these activities, you and your child can spend some quality time together!

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How PTSD Can Affect Accident Victims

SUDOKU No one wants to repeatedly relive the worst thing that ever happened to them, but that’s exactly what happens to many people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). June is National PTSD Awareness Month, and the condition is often misunderstood by people who have never experienced it. For example, PTSD is commonly associated with soldiers returning home from war or victims of violent assault, but any traumatic incident can spark the condition — including an accident or injury. We all experience bad events, but we usually find a way to cope and carry on. For people suffering from PTSD, it’s not that simple. Many emotions are healthy after an accident — shock, fear, anger, guilt, and sadness. But PTSD is something more. These feelings don’t dissipate with time, and they might even worsen, often to the point where it’s difficult to live normally.

Symptoms of PTSD vary from person to person, but they often include mood changes, depression, anxiety, and irritability. Some people experience intrusive thoughts they can’t stop or experience flashbacks of the traumatic event. PTSD can also affect sleep, energy, and the ability to concentrate. Sufferers often try to avoid things and places that remind them of the incident, and they may refuse to get in a car or visit certain locations. Some accidents are more likely to cause PTSD than others. The worse the accident was — or the worse the victim perceived it — the higher the risk. Serious injury to yourself or others involved also increases the odds of developing PTSD. Those who previously suffered from mental health issues like depression or anxiety may be more likely to develop the condition.

Though PTSD can be debilitating, many people suffer in silence, afraid to tell others what they’re experiencing. It can be difficult to share when you’re struggling with your mental health, but treatments for PTSD are available, including exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication. A trained therapist can help you get through this and feel more like your normal self. Accidents change lives. But while things may get hard, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you’re experiencing any symptoms of PTSD after your accident, please don’t wait to contact your doctor. They’ll put you in touch with an expert who can help you find peace and move forward.

BROCCOLI AND GRAPE SALAD

RECIPE:

A healthier version of broccoli salad? Yes, please!

Ingredients

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3 1/2 cups small broccoli florets

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1/2 cup red onion, chopped

Directions

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1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

1. In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Add broccoli and onion, cooking until the broccoli is tender. 2. Once broccoli is cooked, drain water and add the vegetables to a bowl filled with ice water. After 2 minutes, drain water and pat vegetables dry. 3. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. 4. Fold in the broccoli mixture, grapes, and almonds. Serve immediately.

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3 tbsp mayonnaise

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1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

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1 1/2 tbsp honey

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Salt and pepper, to taste

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1 cup seedless grapes, halved

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1/4 cup sliced almonds

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Inside

What Oscar the Grouch Teaches Us

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Kid-Friendly Summer Activities!

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3 Cooking Hacks to Eat Better

Why Accident Victims Can Develop PTSD

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Broccoli and Grape Salad

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What Is Juneteenth?

As conversations about racial justice have become more prominent in America over the past few years, so have celebrations of Juneteenth. The holiday has been long- marked by many Black Americans, but it is still a relatively unfamiliar tradition to others. So, what does this holiday mean, and why do people observe it? At its heart, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation freed all enslaved people on Jan. 1, 1863 — but it did not take effect in all areas at the same time. After all, the Civil War did not end until 1865. Slave-hold states that stayed in the Union were exempt from the order, and those in the Confederacy did not obey American law. Further, news traveled more slowly in the 19th century, and most enslaved people were not allowed to keep up with current events.

So when soldiers entered Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and read the Emancipation Proclamation aloud, it was a big deal. It presented the opportunity for 250,000 enslaved people in Texas to learn of their freedom for the first time. Not all people experienced liberty immediately, and some slaveholders would only free those they held in bondage with physical force. But that day was a momentous start and a symbolic victory, memorialized by combining the words “June” and “nineteenth” to form the name Juneteenth. The first Juneteenth was observed on June 19, 1866, to celebrate the previous year’s events. Newly-freed Black Texans marked the occasion with food, song, and prayer. Before long, the holiday spread to other Southern states where Black Americans had been enslaved. Many observances included reading the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th

Amendment to those gathered, but others took on a more party-like atmosphere. Though it took more than a century, Texas enshrined Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980, and it finally became a federal holiday in 2021. Juneteenth is typically celebrated similarly to Independence Day, with barbecues, fireworks, parades, and social gatherings. Activists also use the date to highlight ongoing racial injustice in the United States. The holiday continues to be most commonly observed by Black people in the southern U.S., but the end of our nation’s most oppressive chapter is something all Americans can celebrate.

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