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The Medl in News
AUGUST 2021
5 Tips to Achieve Better Sleep — EvenWith Chronic Pain And Reflections on Overcoming the ‘Mountain’
Aug. 1 is National Mountain Climbing Day, and even if you’re not a hiker or mountain climber, I think we all have “mountains” that seem insurmountable. Perhaps one of my biggest personal challenges, as a person with chronic pain, is having a peaceful night of sleep. I’ve mentioned in past newsletters that, when I was 23 years old, I received a gunshot wound in my back which resulted in a disability and, yes, chronic pain. I remember feeling a little helpless against my new inability to sleep. No amount of medication or pain killers could help me, and sleep became a constant uphill battle. Thankfully, over the years, I’ve learned many ways to deal with it. Perhaps it will surprise you (or won’t) that the things that helped me the most are the same things that help many others. First, I try to maintain as regular of a sleep schedule as possible. Getting to bed at the same time every night is definitely the first step to avoiding daytime naps. That can be challenging for a parent, but it’s still possible to set a good example. Also, it helps to ensure your child keeps to a consistent nighttime schedule and routine. Research even shows that parents and children who have good sleep habits will be more resilient toward stressors.
Second, avoid doing anything in your bed besides sleeping. By lying in bed, you help stimulate the part of your brain that puts your body to sleep. However, if you’re also busy in bed, focusing on reading, watching TV, shopping, or using your phone for any reason, your brain will struggle to transition toward sleep when you’re ready. Third, explore manyways to find relaxation from within. I’ve found that maintaining darkness and using ambient noises can help with lulling my mind into rest. Meditation can also be a huge help imbuing your brain with pleasant, relaxing thoughts. Fourth, be careful about what fluids you drink beforehand. Water is perfectly healthy, but coffee or alcohol can cause you to stay up longer or interrupt your sleep. Although alcohol might seem to help you fall asleep at first, you may wake up only a couple hours later with much more difficulty going back to sleep.
recover and rest from a busy day. Trying to stay healthy and active will help you have energy throughout the day. Bicycling is my personal favorite way of doing so — plus, it’s fun to explore trails. Overcoming our own “mountains” isn’t easy — but with the right preparation, we can achieve anything. For many of my clients, their biggest obstacle in life is their criminal case. Every client we represent is faced with an uphill battle as the government puts them at a disadvantage. The good news is that, with an excellent defense, we can equalize the playing field. Recently, we won a 0.33 DWI case — one of the highest DWI cases ever resulting in a verdict of “not guilty” — because we were able to prove that there were issues with the blood sample, and theymight’ve tested the wrong person’s blood. It was a mighty victory that could’ve had drastic impacts on our client’s life. No matterwhat obstacles you’re facing right now, I hope you’ll find the right tools and people to overcome them. And if you’re ever
Fifth (and lastly), regular exercise can be a big help in encouraging your body to finally
“Overcoming our own ‘mountains’ isn’t easy — but with the right preparation, we can achieve anything.
faced with criminal charges, don’t hesitate to give our firm a call.
– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Try This Underused Tool WANT TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR HEALTH CARE?
When you’re sitting in your doctor’s office feeling unwell — your pain compounded by anxiety from researching your symptoms — it’s easy to assume the worst. You may be worried about whether your insurance will cover necessary medications or procedures and wonder if there are any good options that will actually help. These worries are normal and under- standable, but there’s a rather simple way to ease your mind. To feel empowered to make the right health care decisions for yourself or your loved ones, you need to gather information, and that starts with asking good questions. What are the benefits and the risks? To make an educated decision about your health care, you need to know the good, the bad, and the ugly of treatment options your practitioner presents. Since you want
to get better, it’s easy to remember to ask how suggested procedures or medications will help. But don’t forget to ask about the downsides, risks, or potential complications. Pro tip: To humanize the situation and help you understand how to think through a given decision, ask your provider: “What would you tell your family member about the benefits and risks of this procedure if they were considering it?” Are there alternatives to consider? Sometimes, the most common treatment isn’t necessarily the best one for you. If you’re hesitant to take a new medication because of the side effects, for example, ask about alternative medications or therapies. Be prepared that some alternative treatment options may require a greater commitment to lifestyle changes to see results.
Follow-up question: Asking “Why do you recommend this procedure/medication over the other options?” will help you under- stand the factors your doctor has considered when making their recommendation to you. What results can I expect, and how long will it take? This is an often-overlooked question. Say you tell your doctor you have back pain, and they recommend physical therapy. You may be expecting to be pain-free ASAP, while they may think that a successful treatment will yield increased mobility and reduced pain over the course of a few months. It’s important to be on the same page about what to expect and how long it will take to see improvements. A healthy dose of curiosity may be all you need to get more from your health care and feel confident in your decisions.
What Is Expunction? Expunction is basically the deletion of a criminal record. If someone’s criminal record is eligible for expunction, and their request to have it expunged is approved, then for most intents and purposes, they now have a clean record when speaking to employers, educational services, or anyone else who asks. • •
A Legal Definition, What Records Qualify, and More
However, certain offenses will NOT qualify for expunction. These may include:
Violent felonies like murder Driving while intoxicated
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Sex-related crimes like prostitution
Found in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, expunction can be a confusing process. Importantly, not all records are eligible for expunction. Some common examples of charges and convictions that may be eligible for expunction include: • Certain alcohol-related offenses that occurred while the defendant was a minor • Certain misdemeanors that are not disqualified • Convictions that were later overturned by a Court of Appeals • Charges that resulted in the successful completion of a diversion program • Charges that resulted in a verdict of not guilty • Charges that have been dismissed Each of these has important qualifying factors that must be met in order for expunction to be an option. An expunction lawyer in Fort Worth could further explain the law as it might apply to an individual’s criminal record and circumstances.
• Charges for which the offending person is still completing a diversion program or other probationary requirement
This is not an exhaustive list, and a Fort Worth expunction lawyer can help explore whether a criminal record is eligible for expunction or other alternatives.
Whether you think you qualify for an expunction or not, the best way to get started is to retrieve your criminal history from the Department of Public Safety to see what’s in it. Then, give us a call so we can consult you on the best next step.
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1: He climbed the same route many times over the years with ropes to practice. Many people have praised Honnold for his incredible mental control — he’s put in a huge amount of dedication and time to continue his passion for free solo climbing. But he didn’t do it alone. He followed the same route multiple times, often with friends. 2: He lives in a camping bus. Since the start of his career, Honnold has lived in a camping bus. When you’re traveling from climbing area to climbing area, it helps to have a transportable home to remain independent! At first, he drove his family’s old bus, but now, he owns a bus that’s a bit more comfortable, including an integrated strength-training station. 3: He started a nonprofit organization at 27 years old. Helping others can be a hugemotivation for success. In 2012, Honnold founded the Honnold Foundation, which supports small social and environmental organizations with tangible and sustainable project goals. Honnold is said to have donated a third of his income to charity. 4: He started climbing to overcome low self-esteem. Climbing is a way to build self-esteem and overcome shyness. Honnold’s parents saw that and encouraged him by driving him to climbing areas. At first, he never had the confidence to ask others to climb with him, but now, that’s changed, according to ISPO. We loved his inspirational story and thought it was fitting to share this month. Thanks for reading, and we wish you luck on the biggest mountains ahead of you. With determination and confidence, we know you can conquer them!
How Did Alex Honnold Climb El Capitan?
A Feat for Mankind – Climbing 3,000 Feet With No Ropes
If you asked people five years ago whether they thought anyone could climb El Capitan — a massive 3,000-foot rock formation in Yosemite — without ropes, even avid climbers would say it’s impossible. However, if you’ve heard or watched the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo,” then you’d know that isn’t true. In 2017, the feat was accomplished by a very inspirational free solo climber named Alex Honnold. What is “free solo,” you ask? It means climbing without any assistance (or safety reassurance) from ropes. Here’s a few fun facts about Honnold’s story.
Tomato and Watermelon Salad (Yes, Really!) Bon Appétit magazine calls tomato and watermelon “soul mates,” and they’re right! This surprising gourmet salad will be a hit at your next barbecue.
PUZZLE TIME
Ingredients
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1 tsp peppercorns, coarsely crushed
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4 cups seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 8 oz feta cheese, cut into 1/2- inch cubes
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1 tsp coriander seeds, coarsely crushed
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1/2 tsp cumin seeds
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1/2 tsp turmeric
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1/4 cup coconut oil
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Sea salt, to taste
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, sauté spices and herbs in the coconut oil for 3 minutes over medium heat to create turmeric oil. Take the pan off of the heat, then let it cool. 2. Combine the watermelon, tomatoes, and feta on a large platter or in a bowl. Drizzle with cooled turmeric oil. Now, simply sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy!
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Inspired by BonAppetit.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. 5 Tips to Achieve Better Sleep — EvenWith Chronic Pain
2.
How to Get the Most FromYour Health Care
What Records Qualify for Expunction?
3.
Climbing 3,000 Feet With No Ropes
Tomato andWatermelon Salad (Yes, Really!)
4.
Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog
could. Unfortunately, their flock of goats wouldn’t fit in the getaway vehicle — and their goat-herding dog, Odin, refused to abandon them. Great Pyrenees are prized livestock guardian dogs that will do anything to protect their charges, and Odin lived up to his breed.
Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog
“I said, ‘Okay, Odin, take care of the goats. You’ll be fine,’” Roland Hendel told ABC News.
This Great Pyrenees Guided His Goats Through a Wildfire
Both Hendels were sure theywere seeing their dog for the last time. Their hearts sank even further when they heard their home had burned down completely. But on a trip back to examine the ashes, something amazing happened.
“In the distance, I saw Odin’s tail,” Roland told ABC. “Sure enough, there was Odin coming at the head of all his goats.”
Not only did Odin survive the fire and run right up to the Hendels for belly rubs, but he also kept every single one of his goats safe! A few wild deer even joined the goats, and he shepherded them through unscathed. The incredible storymade the news, and Odin became a local legend. Unfortunately, even legends don’t live forever. This April, Odin passed away after a long life of tail-wagging, treat-eating, and goat-saving. In his honor, Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri gifted the Hendels two new Great Pyrenees pups: Buddy and Snowflake. They’re following in Odin’s pawsteps, protecting the goats he loved so much.
In October 2017, California was in flames. One of those blazes was the Tubbs Fire, which charred its way through 36,800 miles of forests and vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma County. More than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, and 22 people were killed. But when the flames finally died, a four-legged hero emerged from the ashes: Odin, the Great Pyrenees dog. Odin belonged to Ariel and Roland Hendel, two farmers in Sonoma County. When the Tubbs Fire threatened to char their home, they packed up as many of their animals and precious items as they
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