Marc Whitehead - June/July 2021

Marc Whitehead - June/July 2021

DISABILITY DIGEST

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June/July 2021

HAPPY EMPLOYEES, HAPPY CLIENTS Why We Value Wellness and Mental Health at the Firm

Finally, we like to make this core value a little fun. Every month, we have a competition to see which employees can work out the most. We all log our workout minutes, and at the end of the month, the person with the most minutes wins a gift certificate to a local spa. Each workout has to be a minimum of 30 minutes for it to count, and employees are eligible to win every 90 days, so the winner rotates. I love seeing the fun competition this sparks! Employees who are contemplating if they want to work out or not will often check our spreadsheet and see that their coworkers have outpaced them. Desperate to win that relaxing coupon — which can also benefit their mental health — they will lace up their shoes for a walk or jog. I’m honored to offer these incentives and encouragement to my staff, and I’m proud that by doing so, they are then better, more reassuring resources for our clients. Everything we do at this firm is done with our clients’ needs in mind. Beautifully, this melds together the needs of our employees with the needs of our clients. Everyone wins when our employees are healthy and happy. To your health and happiness,

compassion, dedication, and empathy we filter into our work wouldn’t exist. Simply put: There’s no way we could serve our clients without happy, healthy employees. That’s why I’ve made happiness and healthiness a core value at Marc Whitehead & Associates. I want to provide my employees with a supported outlet for the stress that comes with the job and help them foster a better, stronger mentality. To support this, we have a number of programs and features for our employees at the firm. For starters, we were lucky enough to find office space in Houston that is located by biking, running, and walking trails. I regularly encourage my employees to hit the trail before, during, and after work. And if they work up a sweat, they don’t have to worry about a smell — we have on-site showers, too. If employees opt to work out at a local gym or purchase equipment for home, I also reimburse them for a portion of the cost. I know that affordability can sometimes play a big role in the wellness of individuals. (We see this every day. It’s why we fight so hard for compensation!) This reimbursement takes the sting out of a monthly gym membership or purchasing new running shoes.

I subscribe to the belief that happy employees make for satisfied clients. It makes sense when you think about it. If the people I hire to work with my clients are happy, healthy, and actually want to do this work every day, that will translate into better, more well-rounded service for our clients. Studies support this belief, too. A Gallup poll found that businesses that had engaged employees have a 20% increase in sales over their competitors, while a 2016 Tempkin Group study found that where customer experience is high, customer service is high, too. The facts don’t lie, and neither does my personal experience with fostering an engaging, positive work environment. The work we do at this law firm is not easy. We hear the frustrations of clients who just want to live normal lives and be properly compensated for their ailments or needs. We experience the raw emotions that come with cutting through red tape while trying to heal from an injury or coping with a disability. And then there’s the minutiae of the legal work we do every day. Most attorneys, paralegals, and law clerks go to school to help people, not to write motions all day. Without a focus on happiness and our health, our office would be full of zombies. There would be bodies here, but that

-Marc Whitehead, Esq.

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June 21 is International Yoga Day, which makes it a great time of year to talk about the unique benefits of yoga — the “superfood” of fitness. As a mixture of exercise and mindfulness, yoga is not only challenging but also has myriad health benefits. Many people assume yoga is mainly useful for increasing your flexibility. However, it’s also excellent for further developing your strength, mobility, and balance. These can be key benefits for living a healthier lifestyle, whether you’re an athlete or concerned about aging. Kaitlyn Hochart, a yoga instructor from San Diego, California, writes on Healthline, “During yoga, your body goes through a full range and variety of motion that can counteract aches and pains associated with tension or poor postural habits.” Yoga can help you become more aware of these habits, “[allowing] you to fix these imbalances and improve overall athleticism.” Many forms of exercise are useful against depression and cardiovascular disease, but in yoga’s case, you don’t have to break a sweat to start benefiting from its stress-relieving properties. “The breathing exercises you practice during yoga can help lower your heart rate and shift your nervous system into a more relaxed state. It also promotes better sleep and increased focus,” Hochart writes. Multiple studies agree: Yoga can significantly decrease the secretion of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. In one study, 64 women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) participated in a 10-week program, performing yoga at least once a week. By the end of the 10 weeks, 52% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD at all. As with starting any new hobby or regular exercise, it may help to set clear goals for yourself. By doing yoga regularly, there are several physical improvements you can look forward to, such as: • Improved range of motion or ease of movement • A reduction in pain, discomfort, or other symptoms • An increase in physical strength and endurance • Less weight fluctuation • Changes in the way your clothes fit • Better-quality sleeping habits and increased or stabilized energy levels One of the best qualities of yoga is that you can be of any age or fitness level. So, pull up a YouTube video, find a soft surface, and give it a try! THE SUPER BENEFITS OF YOGA

Our Director of Marketing & Intake Earns Her MBA! CONGRATULATIONS, NATALIE!

For the past two years, Natalie Hightower, Marc Whitehead & Associates’ Director of Marketing & Intake, tirelessly helped our firm, gave birth to her second child, helped raise two small children, and went back to school! This spring, Natalie graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign with her Master of

Business Administration. She has already incorporated what she learned into our firm, helping us improve our internal processes and better target the clients who need us the most. “I couldn’t have done it without my husband,” Natalie says. “We have a 4-year-old and an 18-month-old, so having to work late on papers and going to class at night when it’s their bedtime — I couldn’t have done it without him.” Through it all, our team has been honored to support Natalie in her educational endeavors. We could not be more proud of all she has accomplished, and we cannot wait to see how her knowledge and experience continue to help our firm grow. Congratulations, Natalie!

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HONORING OUR INTERN Cristo Rey Senior Kylie Morales Leaves Her Mark on Our Firm

Kylie Morales has worked at Marc Whitehead & Associates as an intern for the past three years — and she’s only in high school. Kylie is a senior at Cristo Rey Jesuit, a college preparatory high school that provides rigorous educational opportunities to students from underserved communities, setting them up for higher learning and successful careers. Our local Cristo Rey Jesuit is part of a national network of 35 schools that offer this level of programming. We have hosted numerous students like Kylie through the school’s Corporate Work Study Program, during which students work at various local businesses to gain real-world experience and cover 50% of their tuition costs. Students like Kylie remind us just how valuable hosting an intern is for our firm and for their futures. Kylie works in our intake department, often filling out and organizing spreadsheets that help us better serve new or potential clients in need of service. She only joins our staff once or twice each week, committing the rest of her week to her studies, but the work she does allows us to better target our clients' needs.

Through it all, Kylie says she is learning a lot about the structure of the legal system and an office. “I didn’t know there were so many things going on behind the scenes,” Kylie says. “I like being able to connect with others and trying to understand how an office works. [It provides a] better understanding of what you want to do in your future.” As for her future, Kylie will graduate from Cristo Rey this year and plans to attend a local college to complete her general education requirements. Afterward, Kylie hopes to attend a university’s nursing program and fulfill a lifelong dream of working in the medical field. Right now, she hopes to be a neonatal nurse, but someday, she says, she might return to law. For now, Kylie is grateful for the opportunity to work at our firm and with the staff. “They’re all very friendly and nice,” Kylie says. We will be sad to see Kylie go, but we are honored to have played a minor part in her education. We know she’s going to do well wherever life takes her. Congratulations, Kylie!

PUZZLE TIME!

GRILLED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com

Ingredients

• •

2 tbsp ground cumin 2 tbsp ground coriander

• 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger

Directions

1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.

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INSIDE

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Why Wellness and Mental Health Matter for Our Employees The Super Benefits of Yoga Celebrating a Special Achievement Meet Our Intern, Kylie Morales! Grilled Chicken Shawarma 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

I have been incredibly pleased with the LTD services provided by Marc Whitehead. I have been impressed by the professionalism, knowledge, timely communications, and compassion exhibited by the staff. Melanie, in particular, was a guiding light. She provided ongoing support and prudent insights throughout the lengthy process that eventually resulted in claim approval. She was with me every step of the way, and she was sensitive to my unique needs. Madison provided excellent legal advocacy and worked diligently, empathetically, and collaboratively to write my appeals. Melissa provided timely and professional support, as well. I was immensely impressed with how all of these individuals responded to my questions and concerns. Their conscientiousness, patience, and understanding were greatly appreciated. I highly recommend the LTD team at Marc Whitehead. – Anonymous

WHY PARTNERWITHUS?

• Office visits are not necessary.

• We gather all evidence needed.

• We don’t get paid unless you do.

• We solicit the opinions of medical and vocational experts.

• We build the strongest case possible for a favorable outcome.

• We give you a dedicated case manager to coordinate all the aspects of your case.

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