Hartwig Law Firm - May/June 2021

Hartwig Law Firm - May/June 2021

THE ADVISOR

At the time of writing, baseball season has just begun, and unlike last year, the MLB gets to play a full season. When I was a kid, baseball season was always how I knew that winter was finally over and spring was here. Spring and baseball were synonymous in my mind, and baseball is the first sport that I remember just loving to play and watch — and I still do today. I grew up the grandson of a retired major league baseball player. My grandfather played for the Philadelphia Athletics during the Great Depression until he caught pneumonia, ending his major league career. He found regular work after that, but he did still play in what’s known as a barnstorming league. He traveled around with a baseball team to a lot of small towns to play exhibition games until he married my grandma and had kids, marking the end of his baseball career for good. HOW BASEBALL BECAME MY FIRST LOVE WHY THE 2021 BASEBALL SEASON GIVES ME HOPE

MAY/JUNE

2021

uniform always seemed to be dirty when he played because he played with grit. He was never the fastest or the toughest guy on the field, but he played with an intensity that was just really fun to watch.

Since I’ve lived in the Boston area for the past 18 years, I’ve of course spent countless evenings at Fenway Park watching the Red Sox play. I mean,

“WHEN I WAS A KID, BASEBALL SEASON WAS ALWAYS HOW I KNEW THAT WINTER WAS FINALLY OVER AND SPRING WAS HERE.”

Even though he stopped playing baseball long before I was born, his love of the game passed down through the generations. I was one of the youngest cousins on that side of the family, and all of my older cousins and siblings played baseball. I remember attending a lot of their games, even before I started playing myself. When I was just six

even if the Red Sox aren’t your favorite team to begin with, what baseball fan isn’t going to catch a game at Fenway any chance they get? In the coming years, after all of this craziness with the pandemic is behind us, I hope I’ll get to watch the Sox play a lot more games there. In a way, weathering the pandemic for this past year or so has felt like one long winter. But, just like the start of baseball season always alerted me that spring was coming when I was a kid, I think the MLB’s full season this year is a sign that we’re on our way out of the pandemic. And if that does turn out to be the case, well, then I say, “Play ball!”

years old, I watched the Kansas City Royals, who were then (and still are) my favorite team, win the world series against the St. Louis Cardinals. If, up until that point, I had only a casual interest in baseball, after watching that game, I was in love with it. I still have that world series on a VHS tape somewhere. Steadily, I grew into the baseball super fan I am today. In the 1980s, I had a collection of 10,000 baseball cards. My favorite player (and my favorite athlete of all time, period) was George Brett, a third baseman for the Royals. He embodied everything a ballplayer should be. You could tell he just loved the game, and he wasn’t in it for the money. It wasn’t just a job for him. His

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IN DEFENSE OF RELAXATION WHY YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR VACATION DAYS

If you’re one of the 50% of Americans who would prefer a higher salary over paid vacation days, then the thought of relaxing by the pool probably makes your skin crawl. According to a 2019 Allianz Global Assistance survey, most Americans would only give up their vacation days for a 48% raise, but as Forbes reports, about 1 in 5 workers would only need a 24% raise to willingly fork over their vacation days. The rise of what experts are calling “performative workaholism” is evident in the hustle-and-grind culture of working long hours, skipping lunches, working throughout the weekend, and taking very few breaks. But medical and psychological experts caution that addiction to the hustle comes at a price. Recent evidence suggests that working long hours over extended periods of time actually makes you a worse employee. As exhaustion creeps in, your ability to complete even the most mundane or simple task decreases. In those moments, it’s important to take a short break, but it’s also vital to recognize when your body needs an extended refresher. This could make you better at your job. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Norway have some of the world’s most

productive workers. Coincidentally, they also provide many vacation days.

So, what’s great about taking a vacation? Experts at a Midwestern hospital system, Allina Health, report that stepping away from work for a short period of time can decrease your risk of heart disease, improve your quality of sleep, create a better mood, and boost your relationships. Researchers in the Netherlands even found that simply planning for and anticipating a vacation can improve your happiness level! If you can’t stand the thought of taking time off, you’re not alone. More than 40% of respondents in a 2016 survey said they felt they couldn’t take a vacation because there wasn’t anyone to cover them. Communicate your concerns with your employer to find a compromise. Start slow, too. Schedule a long weekend and pack your days with activities, like getting a massage, hiking, or traveling to a local destination. Look to travel sites like Expedia, Airbnb, and Travelocity for local deals and tips on the best vacation methods. Soon, you’ll be the biggest advocate for taking time off.

MEET PRECIOUS THE CAT NAP ENTHUSIAST, TOY COLLECTOR, AND STAR WARS FANATIC

Many of us have pets. We love the joy, comfort, loyalty, and, on occasion, pure entertainment they bring us. They’re family, and they can teach us a lot about ourselves.

Precious can remain amazingly focused. She is persistent and concentrates on her goal, whether it is moving with the sunspot for a continuously warm nap, attempting to swipe a piece of chicken from my plate, or just trying to get me to pet her. If she wants something, she shows incredible patience and a willingness to wait and keep on trying. Precious is very focused on her health. She grooms herself daily. She knows how important sleep is and gets a good 16 hours a day. She also checks on me every morning at 3 a.m. to make sure I’m sleeping as well. Precious also knows the importance of physical fitness. She makes sure we get our daily exercise in by chasing me down the hallway. I think that’s also how she practices her hunting abilities, since she’s an indoor cat and doesn’t get a lot of opportunities to actually hunt. She is always prepared — you never know when there will be an invasion of Storm Trooper mice she’ll have to dispatch! Enjoy your pets, maybe spoil them a little through National Pet Week. And, since May 4 is Star Wars Day, if you or your pet are Star Wars fans like me and Precious, “May the Fourth Be With You!”

National Pet Week is May 2–8 this year, so I’d like to share a little about my cat. I’m owned by a 17-year- old tuxedo cat named Precious, whom I adopted when she was just 8 weeks old. She was born in a garage to a feral mom and was the runt of the litter.

Precious enjoys the little things in life: sunspots on the floor, a piece of plastic from a gallon water jug, comfy blankies, food, and a warm lap to rest on. She has no need for a fancy cat bed or lots of toys — but she has them. Precious has a 10-year-old Darth Vader on a string that she still carries around the house. His cape is gone, and he’s a little beat up, but he is her favorite toy.

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EASY & HEALTHY GREEN RICE

INGREDIENTS

Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

• 1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves • 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed • 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock • 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk • 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced • 1/2 cup green peppers, diced • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 cup long-grain white rice

You apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and your request gets denied. Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) denying claims, at least initially, is an all too common first obstacle that many people face when trying to access Social Security to pay for their medical care and other expenses. So, what do you do next? Well, you can make a request for SSDI Reconsideration. When you request an SSDI Reconsideration, you’re basically just asking the SSA to take a second look at your case. Maybe since you initially applied, you’ve undergone additional medical treatment that you believe could improve your chances of receiving benefits. Whatever the reason, get ready to wait a while. The average time it takes to hear back from the SSA about the status of your appeal is 2–6 months! That doesn’t sound super encouraging, does it? It’s unfortunately all too common that your file will get stuck collecting dust on a desk somewhere. I mean, we are talking about the speed of government work here! What did you really expect? With that, let me give you a bit of advice on how to help the process along. If you don’t get a response from the SSA in the six months after requesting a reconsideration review, call them and check on the status of your claim. On this call, if possible, you should also let the SSA know of any new medical developments in your case, including hospitalizations or changes in medications, that have happened since you initially filed your claim. Once the SSA comes to a decision, they will notify you in writing whether your request for a reconsideration review has been accepted or denied. Keep in mind that even at this stage, very few cases get approved. We’ll talk a little bit about the next steps you can take in the next edition of this newsletter. At Hartwig Law, we can help you contact the SSA and determine if any additional records will help get your case approved more quickly. Give us a call at (508) 732-8989, email Patrick at Patrick@ HartwigLawFirm.com, or contact us through our website today! MY INITIAL CLAIM FOR SSDI HAS BEEN DENIED — NOW WHAT? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT FILING FOR RECONSIDERATION

DIRECTIONS

1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Answer on Page 4

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385 Court St., Suite 210 Plymouth, MA 02360 (508) 732-8989 www.HartwigLawFirm.com

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SHARE YOUR STORY! Do you want to share a story about your disability claim, experience with Hartwig Law Firm, or just a funny story in general? Contact Andrea at (508) 732-8989 or via email at Patrick@HartwigLawFirm. com, and you could be featured in our next newsletter!

WHY THE 2021 BASEBALL SEASON GIVES ME HOPE

THE BENEFIT OF USING YOUR VACATION DAYS

MEET PRECIOUS THE CAT

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MY INITIAL CLAIM FOR SSDI HAS BEEN DENIED — NOW WHAT?

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SPACE WITH THESE MAY FLOWERS!

BRING SPRING INDOORS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAY FLOWERS FOR YOUR HOME OR OFFICE The April showers came and went, so now we get to enjoy May flowers! You might not buy flowers for yourself often, but it’s totally worth treating yourself and your visitors, all while supporting your local florist! Carnations are also fantastic flowers to display in May. Some people may see carnations as a cheap flower, but, when used en masse, they can have a truly breathtaking effect in a room. Try using natural-colored carnations to create a fresh, contemporary space.

To start off, anemones are the most mythological May plant around because of two famous Greek myths surrounding these jewel-toned flowers. Anemones are said to have sprung from blood shed by the death of Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. The ancient Greeks also believed

You can also freshen up the room with sweet peas , which have a wonderfully mild perfume. They come with an enormous range of colors — one of the biggest ranges in the flora kingdom, in fact! Delicate, ruffled, and feminine, sweet peas are sure to delight anyone who sees them. Lastly, although tulips or orchids would be classic choices for your arrangement, consider surprising your visitors with lilies of the valley . These beautiful, peaceful little blooms only grow in white, which is often seen as the color of renewal and innocence, and they wear it well! Their adorable little bell-like flowers will be sure to put a smile on your face. We hope you will consider these gorgeous flowers for your space this year. A small purchase at your local small businesses can make a big difference, just like how a few flowers can make a big difference in your home!

that the god of the west wind favored anemones — hence their second name, the windflower. Attach them as pops of color to any bouquet for a classic, romantic, or modern arrangement, or mix them with roses and trailing greenery for a more boho look.

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