Marc Whitehead & Associates - December 2021/January 2022

Marc Whitehead & Associates - December 2021/January 2022

December/January 2021

DISABILITY DIGEST Our Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship Winner Is Committed to Disability Advocacy CHANGINGTHEWORLD

888-497-9061 DisabilityDenials.com Marc Whitehead & Associates Attorneys at Law, LLP

Elisa Shaholli was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when she was 11 years old. The diagnosis came as quite the shock to Elisa and her loved ones because she was the only person in her family to have such a diagnosis. However, her experiences growing up with diabetes and the current work she does with disability studies now motivate her to help others. Elisa is our 2021 Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship

“You are protected from discrimination with disability laws, and you know there are provisions out there, but … they’re are not as good as they can be,” Elisa says. As she continues her journey with disability advocacy and economics studies, Elisa hopes to study abroad to gain a greater understanding of the global scale in which the economy and disabilities are intertwined. With the help of our scholarship, Elisa says this dream becomes a closer reality. “Thank you to Marc Whitehead for

A NATIONAL DISABILITY LAW FIRM • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIMS

• LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIMS

• VETERANS DISABILITY BENEFITS

winner. She’s an economics major at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and

• ERISA & EMPLOYEE BENEFIT CLAIMS

this scholarship,” Elisa says. “It really makes a difference. I’m grateful to be picked because it’s a huge honor.”

• PHARMACEUTICAL & MEDICAL DEVICE LITIGATION

also studies English and global studies. Thanks to the support of a mentor at UConn, Elisa has been able to create an independent disabilities studies research project and hopes to catapult her knowledge into a career as an economist with a focus on disability issues. Throughout her research and in conversations she has with those who have disabilities, Elisa has discovered that one of the biggest challenges for those with other abilities is getting or keeping a job. They often fear disclosing their disability on an application, Elisa explains, despite laws that protect them from discrimination.

WHY PARTNER WITH US • NO OFFICE VISITS NECESSARY • WE DON’T GET PAID UNLESS YOU DO • WE BUILD THE STRONGEST CASE POSSIBLE FOR A FAVORABLE OUTCOME

When she isn’t focused on how she will change the world, Elisa likes to crochet and knit with her mom. (They have even discussed opening an Etsy shop!) She’s also a big young adult fiction reader, and she hopes to turn that passion into a book that intertwines diabetes into it. Elisa’s passion for helping others and using her platform to change the world is empowering to our team. We are honored to support her educational journey, and every year, we have the privilege of helping other

• WE’LL GATHER ALL EVIDENCE NEEDED

• WE SOLICIT THE OPINIONS OF MEDICAL & VOCATIONAL EXPERTS • WE’LL GIVE YOU A DEDICATED CASE MANAGER TO COORDINATE ALL THE ASPECTS OF YOUR CASE

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Bringing Back a Lost Art Your Guide to Writing a Thank-You Note A 2019 survey by Ask Your Target Market showed 80% of respondents appreciate receiving thank-you notes — but only 22% of respondents report regularly sending them. That’s a pretty big discrepancy. During the holiday season, you probably received several gifts and may have been hosted at a family member’s house, so now is the perfect time to revive the dying art of the thank-you note. If it’s been a while since you last wrote one, fear not. Here’s everything you need to know to get started. Know When a Note Is Needed . You should strongly consider sending a thank-you note any time you receive a gift, but they are particularly expected after big events like weddings or showers. It’s also good form to send a note whenever someone has done you a big favor or hosted you at their house. Professionally, thank-you notes should always be sent after job interviews. Notes should be sent as soon as possible, ideally within one month of the gift or event.

Called to Serve

Meet the Paralegal Who Has a Passion for Helping Born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas, Katy Berry always had a passion for helping animals. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in animal science. For 10 years, Katy worked with pets and their families as a vet tech in an intensive care unit and emergency room, helping families cope with traumatic injuries and tragic losses. Yet Katy always felt she had another calling: legal work.

Five years ago, Katy earned her paralegal certification from the University of Houston and, shortly after, began working with Marc Whitehead & Associates. Today, Katy drafts appeals for clients who have been denied long-term disability — "a world that may seem vastly different from a veterinary emergency room but actually isn’t," Katy explains.

“These families [at the veterinary hospital] ... it’s a bad time for them. There’s a lot of emotions involved,” Kay says. “I always enjoyed helping them, so that transition, that compassion for families, it’s sort of similar. Our clients need someone to listen to them and advocate for them.” Katy also believes she was fortunate enough to join a team that is “so passionate about helping our clients and about getting our clients justice.” Using her skills from the veterinary emergency room and combining them with coworkers who also want justice for clients has helped Katy find a passion for helping humans, too. “I enjoy listening to [clients],” Katy says. “I enjoy being someone who they can talk to. They just want to be heard.” Despite her new career, Katy still has a big heart for animals. She and her husband, Charles, own a small farm and have rescued horses together. Katy has ridden horses since she was a little girl, and while she admits she never intended to rescue them, she finds a lot of joy in watching her horses restore their health and build back their trust in humans. “It’s been a lifelong passion of mine,” Katy explains. For those of us lucky enough to work with Katy, we’re not surprised. She’s built her career on helping others — both animal and human — and every day, we see that passion Katy has for those she assists. Thank you for all you do, Katy!

PUZZLE TIME

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Use Paper. It may seem old- fashioned, but that’s exactly what makes it special. In fact, the Ask Your Target Market survey found that 72% of respondents thought handwritten notes were more meaningful than electronic ones. Even if your handwriting is messy, your recipients will appreciate the personal touch. Exceptions apply for thank-you notes sent after job interviews — due to time sensitivity, these are best sent via email. Be Specific. Especially when you’ve got a large stack to get through, it’s pretty tempting to write the same

young students like Elisa make their career dreams a reality through our scholarship programs. We cannot wait to help more students. And we’re happy to announce that will be happening soon! Our 2022–2023 scholarships are now open for applications. Every year, we award $5,000 to two students through the Frances & Earl Perry Memorial Veterans Scholarship and the Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship. Each scholarship honors the lives and sacrifices made by three very special people in Marc Whitehead’s life. The Frances & Earl Perry Memorial Veterans Scholarship is given to a veteran or college-bound child of a military veteran, honoring the lives of Marc’s late aunt and uncle, Frances and Earl Perry. The Perrys raised Marc while his mom was attending law school, and Earl was a military veteran who was released as a disabled veteran. It was his Uncle Earl’s struggles to obtain proper disability insurance that inspired Marc’s career and this firm.

note over and over again, changing only the salutation. Don’t give in! While it’s fine to have a template, recipients will recognize when the note you sent them is generic. Be sure to mention exactly what you’re thankful for (not just “the gift”) or how you plan to use the gift. Now, you’re ready to let people know how much you appreciate them in a way that’s both simple and classic. Your family, friends, and colleagues will be impressed, and who knows, you just might start a trend.

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

The Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship is awarded to students who have overcome the adversity of a disability and is a tribute to Marc’s mother-in-law, Flora Marie. She passed away when Marc’s wife, Tina, was just 18 years old, but her positive spirit and dedication to others was heavily felt by all who loved her. Our team has championed the traits of Frances and Earl Perry and Flora Marie Jenkins. It’s powerful to see the ways in which their legacies continue through the students we award their scholarships to. Thank you to those who have applied and those who continue to support our community endeavors. You can learn more about our scholarships and other resources online at MarcWhiteheadScholarships.com

ChickenWith Lemon Herb Sauce Healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland with this citrusy chicken! Ingredients

• 1/3 cup and 2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 4 boneless chicken breasts • 1 clove of garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup parsley, chopped • 1/3 cup mint, chopped • 1 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 lemon, for juice and zest

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil.

3. Season chicken with salt and pepper if desired and sear it in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side. Bake chicken until its internal temperature is 165 F. 4. In a blender, add 1/3 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, parsley, mint, pepper, and lemon zest and juice and blend ingredients until coarsely mixed. 5. Top chicken with sauce and serve!

–The Marc Whitehead & Associates Team

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403 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77007 888-497-9061 | DisabilityDenials.com A National Disability Law Firm

INSIDE

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Meet a Young Student Destined to Change the World! Paralegal Katy Berry’s Service Makes Us Proud! The Lost Art of the Thank-You Note Chicken With Lemon Herb Sauce Our Clients Say It Best

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ANATIONAL DISABILITY LAWFIRM

Social Security Disability Claims | Long-Term Disability Insurance Claims | Veterans Disability Benefits ERISA & Employee Benefit Claims |Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Litigation

Dee was very easy to work with, and the response time from when I reached out to them was very fast. I felt very nervous when I contacted the firm, not knowing what to expect, but I immediately was made to feel at ease and had a sense that they cared about me and my case. I cannot recommend highly enough. – John Schultz

WHY PARTNERWITHUS?

Office visits are not necessary.

We gather all evidence needed.

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We don’t get paid unless you do.

• We solicit the opinions of medical and vocational experts. • We give you a dedicated case manager to coordinate all the aspects of your case.

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We build the strongest case possible for a favorable outcome.

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