Marc Whitehead - August/September 2020

Marc Whitehead - August/September 2020

DISABILITY DIGEST

August/September 2020

888-497-9061 |DisabilityDenials.com

ABLE TO THRIVE Introducing our 2020 Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship Winners

cancer numerous times and had a kidney tumor when he was in his early 20s. Still, he rarely lets his medical history get him down. “You want to try to live your life as happy as you can, so I just try to be optimistic and upbeat,” Evan says, adding that he often jokes about his cancer journey to keep his his family’s spirits up. Evan adds that his mom, who was a nurse, and his dad, “who was smart enough to listen to a nurse,” have also continued to support him, and his eight siblings share in his humoristic outlook on life with him. Evan also believes that his faith through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has also been a major support system for him as he battled numerous diagnoses and conditions. Evan is a senior who currently studies psychology at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah and is considering graduate schools. He hopes to work in a pediatric hospital so he can offer empathy to patients facing the same road he has had to travel.

For all three of our 2020 Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship winners, it was never a matter of if they would persevere; it was merely how . This month, Marc Whitehead & Associates is honored to feature these three students for their commitment to their studies and the way they have used their disabilities to fuel their many abilities. Making Hospitals a Better Place: Evan Hancock

the botox injections and braces she had to wear to school embarrassed Addison, but as she grew, she decided to turn that pain into determination. “It became a time when I just had to learn how to work hard,” Addison says. That grit led to a high school career in volleyball and golf, the latter of which she continues to do to this day when she can. Addison is a sophomore at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where she studies biomedical engineering on the pre-medical track. She’s also a member of the prosthetics club at Mercer, where she helped create prosthetic devices for those who sustained specific injuries while serving in Vietnam.

Evan Hancock has had many experiences throughout his numerous hospital stays and appointments, but that’s exactly why he wants to become a hospital administrator — so he can make the experience better for kids just like him. When he was just 2 years old, a cancer diagnosis led to weakness along the left side of his body. As a result, Evan has limited use of his left arm and leg. Since then, Evan has battled

Called to Help: Addison Young

Addison Young was born three months premature at a tiny 2 pounds and 2.8 ounces. Her early entrance into this world meant her leg muscles couldn’t fully form, and as a result, Addison was diagnosed with a mild form of cerebral palsy. At first,

Continued on Page 2 ...

888-497-9061 |DisabilityDenials.com

1

... continued from Cover

“It was really cool knowing that something you can make physically with your hands is used to help someone in need, and they can have a new life with this device you just made,” Addison says. Her desire to help others continues to blossom, as she plans to attend medical school after earning her undergraduate degree to become a neurologist. When she was younger, Addison’s father passed away from a brain tumor. She hopes to pair her biomedical engineering background with her neurology studies to develop a minimally invasive way to remove brain tumors. “I think one thing that came out of my dad passing away is that he definitely motivated me throughout high school and college to do everything in his memory. I thought about him while applying for this scholarship; I think about him while taking my classes,” Addison says. “I just want to be a neurologist and help kids and families in the way my dad’s neurologist helped us.”

A Different Perspective: Bryce Williams

... continued

his parents created to try making his treatment fun and the countless movies he watched to distract himself. Today, Bryce’s reliance on movies has transcended into a passion and his studies. Bryce is earning a bachelor’s degree in global film art from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Bryce studies at Emerson in the summer and studies in Paris during the school year. As he transitions from his sophomore year to junior year, Bryce is motivated by a desire to make movies that obscure traditional points of view. “I’m interested in fringe societies … I really like pushing the normal away from western-centric perspectives of what the body is supposed to look like,” Bryce says. “It’s a time to oversaturate the world with as many perspectives as possible.” As an amputee, Bryce explains that this scholarship will help him continue to develop his craft while studying in an old city that wasn’t built for people with disabilities. “I know it’s a small population, but the point is that the population still matters,” Bryce explains. “This helps me do it, so I can exist there, and I can show people in Paris that there is a way to thrive while being disabled.” Congratulations to our 2020 Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship winners! We know you’ll make us proud. -Marc Whitehead

Just two days before Christmas 2008, Bryce Williams was diagnosed with osteosarcoma bone cancer in his left leg. After a year of 99 chemotherapy appointments and a leg amputation, Bryce’s cancer went into remission, where it continues to be to this day. Bryce doesn’t remember much about this time other than the games

888-497-9061 |DisabilityDenials.com 2

FOR THE LOVE OF PEOPLE Case Manager Courtney Martin Thrives on Helping Others Solve Problems

For Courtney Martin, there’s nothing more satisfying than helping someone solve a problem. “I like talking to people. I’m a people person,” Courtney says. “I like solving problems, too. If there’s an issue, and I can solve it, or if there’s a way I can make the process easier for veterans, I love to do that.” At Marc Whitehead & Associates, Courtney is a case manager in the Veterans’ Disability department. She’s been with our team for the past year, and prior to joining us, Courtney worked with children and older adults at a psychiatric clinic. Her knowledge of medicine and the complex paperwork involved with

insurance and health care have given her special insight into our clients’ most pressing needs. For Courtney, hearing veterans’ stories is one of the most powerful aspects of the job. She gets to know them throughout the course of their case and is always grateful when Veterans Affairs (VA) responds appropriately to a veteran’s pain. As she continues her tenure with Marc Whitehead & Associates, Courtney is looking forward to learning how she can help others in the legal field. More specifically, she would like to continue building her knowledge base in regard to the VA, all while further collaborating with her team on such endeavors.

“I feel lucky and blessed here,” Courtney says. “Everyone has been very kind to me, from the attorneys to my coworkers. Pretty much everyone is very accommodating … It’s a family-type of environment.” When she isn’t diligently helping our veterans, Courtney can be found at a local park. Prior to the pandemic, Courtney also enjoyed eating out at local restaurants. If you’re in need of a recommendation for a park or Friday night takeout, Courtney has you covered! We’re proud to work alongside Courtney, who continuously ensures that our clients’ needs are met.

PUZZLE TIME!

PEACH AND ARUGULA PASTA SALAD

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

Ingredients

•

8 oz penne or fusilli pasta

•

2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes • 1/2 tsp sea salt • Pepper, to taste • 2 tbsp lemon juice •

• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced • 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 cup corn • 6 cups arugula, packed

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese. 3. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

888-497-9061 |DisabilityDenials.com 3

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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

Find Our E-books at DisabilityDenials.com

INSIDE

1.

Announcing Our 2020 Disability Scholarship Recipients

3.

Meet VA Case Manager, Courtney Martin!

Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad

4.

Our Clients Say It Best

ANATIONAL DISABILITY LAWFIRM

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

Marc Whitehead & Associates went above and beyond to win my appeal. The associates, I felt, were very accommodating and prompt in responding. I would highly recommend them. My case was a difficult one, and they came through for me. – P Miller on Facebook

WHY PARTNERWITHUS?

888-497-9061 |DisabilityDenials.com 4 • Office visits are not necessary. • We don’t get paid unless you do. • We build the strongest case possible for a favorable outcome.

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