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The Disability DIGEST
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August 2021
get SSI. We don’t need to give SSI to billionaires. However, the limits have become so low over time that it is nearly impossible to improve your quality of life. For one, if you live on SSI, you’re living 33% below the U.S. poverty line, and any efforts at getting a job will end up immediately costing you. If you make more than $68 a week, your SSI compensation starts going down dramatically. Why so low? The amount hasn’t changed since 1977. If you count inflation, this amount should be $380. Also, if you rely on SSI, you can never accumulate assets; the limit is $2,000 before you lose your SSI and Medicaid. Asset limits are fine, but $2,000 is unbelievably low. Now, let’s say you work for a very small amount of money, but your family is willing to give you free housing. Believe it or not, the government can still reduce your SSI. This makes it very difficult for anyone to help loved ones in a tight spot. Changing these aspects of SSI will not only make these people’s lives a little bit better, but it’ll also motivate them and their families to improve their quality of living. Additionally, if you’re on SSDI, improving SSI benefits will likely improve yours as well. That’s why it’s so important to call your senators right now to support the bipartisan SSI Restoration Bill, which will make changes to raise the earning limit for SSI users and remove penalties for those who find free housing with loved ones and increase asset limits from $2,000 to $10,000. I know this is a great opportunity to change SSI for the better. Thanks for reading, everyone, and I’ll catch you next month. Why SSI Needs to Change, and How You Can Make It Happen
Often, when people lose Supplemental Security Income, they lose their Medicaid. Especially for those who rely on insulin, this means they also lose their means of surviving. A judge recently asked me to give an educational presentation at Rockdale County Drug Court about the complex ways that earnings can affect SSI, so judges who send people back to work as part the drug court program understand how to do so without actually jeopardizing their financial and physical well-being. Preparing for this presentation reignited the passion that I have for this problem — and what we can do to fix it. Let’s start with the good things about SSI and why it was designed. To qualify for SSI, you are either 65-plus, blind, or disabled and a U.S. citizen or in certain categories of aliens. Unlike Social Security Disability Income, it doesn’t require you to have a history of working. SSI essentially acts as a catch-all for people who do not qualify for SSDI. Maybe they were injured while young and couldn’t qualify for SSDI because they didn’t reach a working age. Maybe the disabled person never finished high school and struggled to find work. SSI is there for these people so they have a little bit of money to live off of instead of nothing. Because you do not pay into SSI, it makes sense that there are restrictions on how much money you can have and still
“If you live on SSI, you’re living 33% below the U.S. poverty line, and any efforts at getting a job will end up immediately costing you.”
–Joel Thrift
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Have Celebrity Divorces Always Been Crazy?
That was certainly the case with O.J. Simpson’s breakup with his wife, which didn’t get half the headlines her murder would (and the “trial of the century” that followed) two years later. You could argue, though, that we’re getting better. When we look at the roots of the “celebrity divorce” phenomenon, it goes back in time to the realm of myth. The gods of Greece and Rome were always leaving each other and getting back together, a clear indication of the drama that interested our ancestors. But the most famous celebrity divorce of the pre-19th century (and perhaps of all time) was Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. It had all the hallmarks of modern public breakups: People took one side or the other, with other parties still “shipping” Henry and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Henry and Catherine’s divorce led to the trauma of war across England and Europe. Like today’s celebrity cases, it didn’t last long. Anne was executed a few short years later when someone new caught the king’s eye. Henry VIII was the archetype of the modern Hollywood actor with the wandering gaze, and Catherine and Anne typified the women willing to give him “one more chance.” Seeing how that ended, perhaps we should be grateful that things today are aired out in the media — instead of on the battlefield!
What is it about celebrity marriages — and their subsequent endings — that fascinates society? Depending on how you measure, telling the stories of makeups and breakups is a multibillion-dollar industry for media organizations online, in print, and on TV. Are we really that hungry for nasty headlines? Or is something deeper going on in the human psyche?
In the last 12 months, we’ve seen some of the worst marriage breakups in Hollywood history, but Amber Heard and Johnny
Depp’s libel suit took center stage. As usual, “Whom do you believe?” was the question of the day, but it became obvious that both parties needed a therapist to work though serious emotional problems but tried unsuccessfully to do it on their own, instead. Perhaps the most disturbing element in the Heard/Depp trial was the violence that seemed to pervade their daily lives. But that’s nothing new; in fact, the violent behavior of both partners is likely what drew so much attention in the first place.
Are you excited to explore the world again? Or maybe you’ve just gotten back from your latest vacation! In either case, the economic challenges of the pandemic might require travelers to plan their trips a little smarter. Here are five tricks to do just that. 1. Consider your budget while choosing your destination. Any destination heavily impacted by tourists is going to be more expensive to visit. So, consider taking a tour through various French countryside towns instead of Paris! Not only could it be more culturally immersing, but it may even be more relaxing and less stressful than visiting a dense area. 5 Tips for Your Next Affordable Getaway 2. Sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights. One of the most important parts of booking an affordable vacation is booking it at the right time. Scott’s Cheap Flights will track all the cheapest flights at an airport of your choice — you’ll get over 50%–75% savings on highly rated airlines. This will get you stress-free travel for a much lower price! 3. Travel in a group. If you travel with friends, your expenses become a lot more manageable. Let’s say you and a partner travel with two other couples — renting a swanky cabin at $200 a night will only cost around $33 per person. Plus, you will create some amazing memories together!
4. Plan your meal budget ahead of time. Looking forward to eating certain dishes? Find local menus and prices to ensure you don’t spend more than you planned. If you want an authentic and homestyle culinary experience, consider signing up for a peer-to-peer dining experience through Traveling Spoon or Bon Appetour, which is tax-free as well! 5. Consider volunteering for vacation. Want to go on a self-discovery trip? Why not cut your expenses in half by volunteering? For example, Habitat for Humanity offers a nine-day Mexico trip for $1,200 with lodging, food, and activities included. You’ll get to build structures and create something permanent for the local community.
Traveling on a dime is no sweat with the right tools. Best of luck, traveler!
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TAKE A BREAK
Earlier this year, Russia announced it would abandon its missions to the International Space Station in favor of a new, Russia-only station orbiting Earth. At the same time, China has begun working in earnest on its own permanent space installation, raining construction debris down on coastal Africa and other places. With private American interests gaining traction in orbit (and the confidence of our government), things are getting awfully crowded up there — and not by actors that typically play well together. ARE WE HEADED FOR THE FIRST WAR IN SPACE? ‘SPACE LAW’
All of which begs the question: Will the 21st century see the first violent conflict in space?
TOMATO AND WATERMELON SALAD (YES, REALLY!)
We have to delve into “space law” (yes, it’s really called that) to understand this question. It started in the 1940s and ‘50s, when the USSR launch of Sputnik signaled a new ground for scientific competition in the Cold War, as well as fears of more direct, armed conflict. The landmark “Outer Space Treaty’’ of 1967 was the response, and nations continued to deal with space concerns until the end of the century. The general principles were those of cooperation and goodwill, and that made sense in the 20th century, when it was unlikely any power would be able to seriously colonize stations in orbit or the moon itself, never mind other planets. But in the past 20 years, many countries have been unwilling to seriously commit to more specific agreements or laws. When you see the rapidly increasing presence many countries are seeking in orbit, you start to understand why. Nobody wants to hamstring themselves and compromise their interests when the resources of our solar system are made available through technology. Even though this may be a new arena, the problem is an old one. International Law — of which “space law” is a subset — is not typically enforceable and never has been. Private ventures, like those of Elon Musk, may face crackdown by their governments or the international community. But nations themselves will take what they want, when they want it — and right now, that could make peace on the final frontier a long shot in the 21st century.
Inspired by BonAppetit.com
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.
Ingredients
• 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 • Sea salt, to taste
• 1 tsp peppercorns, coarsely crushed • 1 tsp coriander seeds, coarsely crushed • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds • 1/2 tsp turmeric • 1/4 cup coconut oil
Directions
2. Combine the watermelon,
1. In a small saucepan, sauté spices and herbs in the coconut oil for 3 minutes
tomatoes, and feta on a large platter or in a bowl. Drizzle with cooled turmeric oil. Now, simply sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy!
over medium heat to create turmeric oil. Take the pan off of the heat, then let it cool.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How You Can Change SSI for the Better
1
Have Celebrity Divorces Always Been Crazy? Want to Save on Your Next Vacation?
2
Tomato and Watermelon Salad (Yes, Really!) Are We Headed for the First War in Space?
3
Fight SAD Early!
4
Fight SAD Early! Start Taking Vitamin D Now, Before the Sun Goes Away
There are a few ways to combat wintertime SAD. Establishing a regular sleep schedule is important, as is an exercise routine and healthy diet. As mentioned, it’s hard to find vitamin D in foods, but milk and other food products are often intentionally enriched with it during processing. The most common solution, however, is taking a vitamin D supplement, which can be purchased over the counter at drugstores and grocery stores. It is commonly recommended for people living in places with harsher winters,
Do you get SAD? We’re talking about seasonal affective disorder, which affects 1%–10% of the population depending on the state you live in. Symptoms of SAD are similar to symptoms of depression, but unlike chronic depression, which can occur at any time, people with SAD only experience symptoms during a certain time of year, usually winter.
SAD has been strongly linked with shorter days and less sun — although summertime SAD can result from long days that
make sleep difficult, resulting in irritability and mood swings. In most cases, however, winter is the problem season, likely due to a link between less sun and a vitamin D deficiency.
and although there are negative side effects if taken in excess, a regular daily dose of vitamin D is a healthy way to ensure you have the right levels in your system. This month is the perfect time to begin that process. Vitamin D can take several months to build up to effective levels in our bodies. It may be the hottest time of the year in many places, but it’s also the ideal time to start fighting SAD early!
Depression is one common symptom of vitamin D deficiency, especially in patients who aren’t prone to depression due to other circumstances. Unfortunately, very few foods are good sources of vitamin D. The best source is sunlight itself.
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