Hartwig Law Firm - November/December 2021

Hartwig Law Firm - November/December 2021

THE ADVISOR

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The Family Keeps Growing OUR NEWEST ADDITION

The pandemic has created many changes in the everyday lives of Americans. Plenty of people began working from home, masks and other health safety precautions became the norm, and certain household objects became more difficult to find. While many negatives came out of the pandemic, there was a positive trend that gripped households across the country. Many people stayed in their homes whether they worked there or just wanted to be cautious with their health. Feeling isolated while spending the majority of their time at their houses, some people made a big decision and decided to rush to the nearest animal shelter to adopt a new pet. Adoption rates at these shelters soared during the pandemic, and it seemed like everyone was adding a new member to their family. My family has always been extremely busy. We have three kids, and between their activities, work, and the usual day-to-day craziness, we

were on the move all the time. The pandemic drastically changed that for us. Our kids were home learning remotely, and my wife has been working from home since the early days of lockdowns. Our previous lives never presented an opportunity for us to bring an animal into the fold, but the pandemic changed that for us. Once we realized that the pandemic would last longer than originally planned, we decided to go ahead and rescue a dog. The kids had been begging for a pet for years, and this was the perfect opportunity. We started looking after the pandemic hit, but it took some time because dogs were in such short supply. We continued to search adoption clinics from all over because we were set on adopting instead of shopping from a breeder. In March 2021, we finally found the perfect pup at the Brockton Animal Shelter in Massachusetts. He was some type of black Lab mix and was one of a litter of five (only about 3–4 months old at the time). The shelter chose us for the dog because we had young children, and he had a docile nature. We named him Bruce after Bruce Springsteen, and the kids were overjoyed with the new family addition. The dog has become an essential part of our family over the last few months. Bruce and I actually share a birthday, and one of the running jokes in our family is “Who has the next birthday?” I always say it’s me but am quickly

corrected by the kids, who state that Bruce’s birthday is also on Nov. 13. The joy that Bruce brings to the kids and my wife has been a great help through this challenging time. Whether you’re having a tough time for health reasons, financial reasons, or any other personal reasons, it’s always nice to find something in your life that is comforting or rewarding. Our family found that with Bruce. He’s been a great addition to our household and makes everyone happy, even if we’re just taking him for a walk. We look forward to many more years of taking Bruce to the beach, walking him around the neighborhood, and cuddling up with him during a movie.

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Determination Through the Recovery Process Physical Therapy Helped Quarterback Alex Smith

Earlier this year, Alex Smith retired from the NFL after helping the Washington Football Team achieve an NFC East title last year — but that’s not what most people will remember him for. Rather, they will remember Smith for fighting through one of the worst injuries ever sustained by a player in the history of the game. For anyone who might be unfamiliar with his story, here are a few of the basics: On Nov. 18, 2018, Smith sustained a spiral and compound fracture in his tibia and fibula in his right leg after getting sacked by Kareem Jackson. He was rushed to surgery immediately, but that was just the beginning. A serious infection in Smith’s blood led to a series of medical complications and 17 more surgeries. All of this should have meant Smith was done with professional football for good. After all, he nearly lost his leg! But thanks to his determination, and help from a qualified physical therapist, he was able to steadily recover.

Intrepid, a rehab center normally reserved for combat veterans. However, Smith’s injuries were severe enough that they actually mirrored a lot of what the doctors at the facility were used to working with. The Washington Team’s physician, Dr. Robin West, made the visit possible after she contacted her friend Johnny Owens, a physical therapist who used to work at the Center for the Intrepid. He got Smith connected with the team of physical therapists at the facility. Then, he got to work. According to Smith’s wife, he was doing physical therapy five, sometimes six times a week. He seemed determined to recover, and in the end, it paid off. Against all odds, Smith returned to the field for his final season with the NFL, almost completely recovered from his injury.

In many ways, Smith represents what can happen when someone fully dedicates themselves to their recovery — a new life, where he could do things that no one thought would be possible for him again.

In February 2019, Smith was cleared by the office of the secretary of defense to receive a medical consultation from the military at the Center for the

Jen’s Thanksgiving Traditions

Recipe for Fassoulia — Armenian String Beans

Every family has different holiday traditions. My family traditions have changed a little

Then, we have the desserts: pies, Armenian cookies called kourabia, and a birthday cake for my nephews and me since our birthdays happen the week before Thanksgiving. This is when we tell stories — lots of stories — often about my parents when they were younger or stories about my grandparents and great-grandparents. The picture is of me at 6 days old with the turkey. Don’t worry — I wasn’t on the menu. When my nephews were born, their pictures were also taken with the turkey.

Ingredients •

over the years but largely have stayed the same. The main thing about Thanksgiving for us is that it’s a time to get together, have a great meal, and reminisce. When we were younger, Thanksgiving morning would involve watching the Macy’s Day Parade on TV. Every year, I still try to watch at least some of the parade. Once we were in middle and high school, Thanksgiving started off with the high school football game. The Thanksgiving meal was always the big event. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, fassoulia (a julienned string bean and tomato stew), and cranberry sauce made up the feast. When I was younger, my mom would cook the turkey and the entire house would smell delicious. Now, my dad grills it outside over charcoal, and it’s amazing.

3 lbs green beans, julienned the long way so beans are thin 2 large onions, sliced very thin 1/4 cup olive oil or more to taste (provides flavor)

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16 oz tomato sauce

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions 1. In a large skillet, sautée green beans and sliced onions in olive oil. Add tomato sauce. 2. Add salt and pepper to taste. 3. Simmer until vegetables are tender.

*Recipe can be adjusted for the amount of string beans used.

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Hartwig Law Firm | (508) 732-8989

Roasted Turkey

The Social Security disability system is not fair, and it is not logical. Even if you think you’re an obvious choice to receive benefits, the system can still reject your claim and leave you wondering what to do next. There are many rules and regulations that determine who will be eligible for disability benefits. Just because you’ve worked hard and paid into the system does not mean you will be eligible. 2 MAJOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY MISCONCEPTIONS

Impress your Thanksgiving guests with this perfectly roasted — and easy — turkey! (Baby not included!)

INGREDIENTS

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1 whole turkey, thawed

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 450 F. 2. Remove packaging and giblets from inside of the turkey. 3. Place the turkey in a broiling pan breast-side up and rub it with salt and pepper. Pour the broth around the turkey. 4. Place the pan in the oven and turn the temperature down to 350 F. Turkey should cook for 12–15 minutes per pound, typically 3–4 hours. 5. Remove the turkey from the oven every 45 minutes and baste it with the broth. 6. Once finished, let the turkey rest for 15–20 minutes before carving and serving.

Here are two misconceptions people have about Social Security disability benefits.

1. My doctor says I’m disabled, so I should be eligible to receive disability benefits. While Social Security will definitely consider your doctor’s advice, they will not necessarily agree with it. Social Security has its own team of doctors called medical examiners who form their own opinion about your condition without ever meeting you. Medical examiners will give their own advice on how long you can sit and stand and if you have the ability to perform simple, skilled, or semi-skilled work. In some instances, they may send you to see a doctor that they paid for called a consultative examiner. If the medical and consultative examiner’s opinions differ from your doctor’s, you will be out of luck. 2. I no longer have the ability to work, so Social Security will have to declare me disabled. For most people, especially those under the age of 50, Social Security will look at your previous jobs from the past 15 years and determine if your impairment prevents you from working them. They will also look and see if you could perform any type of work. This includes simple, sit-down jobs that Social Security assumes anybody can get. Social Security does not provide a willing employer in your area. If the job simply exists, they can deny your claim, stating that you could work there, regardless of how realistic it actually is. These misconceptions are why it is essential to hire an experienced Social Security attorney. We know how to navigate these tricky situations and help get you through the necessary hoops to receive benefits. If you need help getting your benefits approved, give our office a call.

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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The Family Keeps Growing

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 [email protected], and you could be featured in our next newsletter!

Physical Therapy Helped Quarterback Alex Smith

Jen’s Thanksgiving Traditions

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2 Misconceptions About Social Security Disability

Roasted Turkey

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November Is Secretly the Best Time to Camp

STARGAZING, BIRD-WATCHING, AND MORE November Is Secretly the Best Time to Camp

Stargazing Less rain means fewer clouds, which means clearer nights. Combine that with fewer leaves on the trees, and you have an unobscured view that’s better than any other time of the year. November is also one of the few months when you can see meteor showers. If you’ve ever been entranced by the night sky, November provides the perfect opportunity to stargaze. Bird-Watching At this point in the season, many birds have already begun to migrate south. Some birds have stopover locations they stay at for a few days, so you might see birds unique to the area due to their migration. States in the north might see their local birds flying against beautiful backdrops as they make their journey to warmer areas. Regardless of your camping expertise, November is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a new family adventure or just want some personal quiet time to reflect, look no further than fall camping.

Camping is most often associated with summer, but the humid, hot weather combined with the numerous bugs can create a frustrating experience. Most don’t realize that fall — specifically November — is the perfect time to take the family for an outdoor adventure. Here are some of the best reasons to pitch your tent in November. Scenery and Weather Camping in spring usually brings the risk of rain, while summer temperatures can make it unbearable. Fall weather, however, provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy camping to its fullest. It’s usually dry, and most states do not hit colder temperatures until the end of November. The leaves also change color in preparation for winter, which creates some truly awe-inspiring scenery — and a natural playground for children. Just watch for hidden dangers lurking beneath the fallen leaves that could injure your child. You shouldn’t have to worry about bugs, though; November has significantly fewer bugs than the summer or spring months.

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