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Strength for the Fight Ahead Persistence Makes All the Difference August 2025 720 Goodlette Rd. N, Suite 304, Naples, FL 34102 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com
At our firm, we see firsthand what it takes for people to persevere through some of the hardest moments of their lives. An injury can turn everything upside down. Clients face not only the physical pain but also the weight of medical bills, lost work, and the emotional fatigue of waiting. The process of healing and seeking justice can feel endless. As we recognize Never Give Up Day on Aug. 18 this month, I wanted to share a few stories and lessons that remind me why it is worth staying the course. Progress may not always be visible, but that does not mean it is not happening. Personal injury cases rarely move quickly — there are delays at every turn. Insurance companies stall. Medical providers take time to release records. Legal filings must follow the right steps. I understand how discouraging it can feel when weeks go by without an apparent breakthrough. But every week allows new information to come in, a clearer picture of your long- term needs develops, and our legal strategy to sharpen. Clients who give up too soon may settle for far less than they deserve. Even when it is hard, those who stay the course often see that persistence rewarded.
I often think about a story from a few years ago when my wife and daughter had the chance to meet Bethany Hamilton during a trip to Hawaii. Many people know Bethany’s story. At age 13, she lost her arm in a shark attack while surfing. Most assumed her surfing days were over. But Bethany refused to give up. Just a month later, she was back on the water. Over time, she became a champion surfer and an inspiration to people worldwide. Her story is a reminder that resilience matters. Another lesson that has stuck with me came from a mentor I had years ago. He asked me to choose a charity that meant something to me. As a parent of a child with autism, I chose an organization that supports children with that diagnosis. Then my mentor gave me a challenge. He told me to pledge a meaningful donation to that charity, but only if I reached a personal goal I had set. His reasoning was simple. People are quick to give up on themselves but much less willing to let others down. That lesson reshaped how I think about perseverance. Today, I see it in the work I do with clients. When I take on a case, it’s not just about me or my firm. It’s about the people trusting me to fight for them when they are injured and facing real hardship. Giving up is not an option. I share this because I know many of our clients are in the middle of a fight that feels long and exhausting. That may be where you find yourself today. If so, please remember this: You are stronger than you think. Progress is not always easy to see, but it is happening. Your persistence matters, and it can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. One of my favorite quotes is: “A winner is just a loser who
“Your persistence matters, and
it can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.”
tried one more time.” I believe that is true in life, the courtroom, and every fight worth taking on. Let that message stay with you. We believe in your strength. We are walking this road with you. And we are here to help you keep moving forward. -Marc L. Shapiro
(239) 500-5000 • 1
Nature vs. Nature
How to Use Plants and Scents to Repel Insects
There’s nothing quite like summer. Backyard barbecues, evening hikes, and late-night stargazing. All of it is magical — until bugs crash the party. Mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks don’t need an invite, and before you know it, you’re scratching your ankles and swatting at the air. But you don’t have to douse yourself in strong sprays and chemicals to keep them away. Here are five natural ways to repel bugs this summer — no chemicals required. Choose Loose Clothing Believe it or not, your outfit can make a big difference. Light- colored, loose-fitting clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes and helps prevent them from biting through fabric. Covering up exposed skin is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself. It’s specifically helpful to wear long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn, when bugs are most active.
witch hazel or coconut oil), then spritzing it on your skin or clothes. Just make sure you’re cautious with essential oils around pets and kids. Smoke Them Out Burning herbs like sage or rosemary in your campfire or fire pit not only smells amazing but also helps keep mosquitoes and gnats at bay. Bugs hate the smoke from these plants, and it’s an easy, low-effort way to keep them off your picnic table. Watch Your Scents Surprisingly, it’s not just about what repels bugs — it’s also about avoiding what attracts them. Fragranced lotions, perfumes, and even certain soaps can lure bugs to you. In summer, it’s smart to go unscented when heading outdoors.
Keep Your Space Clean If you have standing water on your property, it’s a mosquito’s favorite breeding ground. Make sure you dump water from flower pots,
Use Natural Aromas Many bugs have super-sensitive noses, and certain scents repel them. Essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass are natural bug repellents. You can make your own spray by mixing a few drops of any of these scents with water and a carrier oil (like
birdbaths, or kiddie pools regularly. And if you’re entertaining outside, clean up food scraps and trash — flies and ants will sniff that out fast.
“The Law Office of Marc L. Shapiro is honestly one of the best ones in Naples. All their staff were always on top of my case. Jessica was very informative and gave me all the information I needed.” –Rosio D.
“I was the victim of a car accident that totaled my car and caused permanent damage to my legs. I originally hired a different attorney who, after a year, got nothing completed. I terminated him and changed to Shapiro Law Offices. Thank goodness I made that decision because they completed it in 4–5 weeks with a total payout from the at-fault man’s insurance company! They are very easy to work with and accessible in reaching my amazing paralegal, Karina Eden, or my most talented attorney, Randall Austin; it was always a pleasant experience. When I needed to call them, I was always able to speak to them … Going with Marc Shapiro‘s law office was one of the best decisions I have ever made!! They made a difference in my life, and hopefully they can do the same for you.” –Susanne R.
“Had a great experience. Autumn was attentive, friendly, and responsive!” –Angel A.
“They really are a good team. They have responded promptly and professionally to all my questions. I congratulate everyone who has had anything to do with my case. Thank you very much.” –Dayron C.
“Thank you, Katie, for helping me with my doctors and my case. I’m glad we chose you guys to help us get through our situation.” –Caro M.
2 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com
BUILD THE CASE YOU DESERVE
How Clients Make Their Own ‘Luck’
“That person got lucky.”
Staying consistent throughout the process is one of the best ways to give your case the strongest possible foundation.
I hear that more often than you think in injury settlements. But what looks like luck from the outside is often the result of preparation and persistence behind the scenes. Clients who stay engaged, follow their treatment plans, and document everything give themselves a much better chance for success. That is what Make Your Own Luck Day, recognized on Aug. 26, makes me think of. In personal injury cases, the habits you build today can shape the outcome you see tomorrow. I have seen this play out many times. Two clients may start with similar injuries. One attends all their appointments, follows their treatment plan, and documents symptoms and progress. The other misses therapy, stops treatment early, or gets tired of the process. When it comes time to negotiate, those differences matter. The first client has a strong, well-supported case. The second does not.
This is a lesson I have seen in my life, too. Years ago, I met someone at a networking event. We exchanged cards, and I followed up later that week. That simple follow-up led to a major referral that helped build my practice. It looked like luck, but it resulted from showing up, staying prepared, and doing the work when it mattered. The same is true for clients facing a long recovery. You may not control how fast the system moves, but you can control how ready you are when the critical moments come. Stick with your treatment. Document everything. Stay engaged. When the time comes to fight for your outcome, you’ll be glad you did.
Insurance companies do not reward shortcuts. They examine your records, look for gaps, and notice when someone gives up too soon.
If you have questions about how to stay on track through your recovery, we are always here to help.
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Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com
Ingredients
• • •
1 pt strawberry ice cream 1/4 cup strawberry preserves
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1 5.25-oz package crispy sugar cookies 1 0.8-oz package freeze-dried strawberries
1 pt vanilla ice cream
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Directions
1. Stir strawberry ice cream in a large bowl until spreadable. Fold in preserves until evenly streaked throughout. 2. Stir vanilla ice cream in a separate large bowl until spreadable. 3. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the strawberry mixture into the bottom of 8 (1/3-cup) popsicle molds. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the vanilla mixture on top of the strawberry mixture into the molds. Repeat, alternating the 2 mixtures, until each mold is full. 4. Place sticks into the popsicles and freeze until solid, 4–6 hours. 5. In a large zip-lock bag, crush sugar cookies with a rolling pin until pieces are rice-size; pour into a shallow dish. 6. Repeat with freeze-dried strawberries and stir the pieces together. 7. Run the ice cream molds under warm water to release popsicles from molds. 8. Coat bars evenly with cookie mixture. 9. Eat immediately or place on a cookie sheet and freeze.
BEER FAMILY LEO LUNCHBOX
MUSTARD PERIDOT POPPY SISTERS
TWINS VACATION WATERMELON ZUCCHINI
(239) 500-5000 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
720 Goodlette Rd. N, Suite 304 Naples, FL 34102 www.AttorneyShapiro.com
Inside Why We Never Give Up Page 1
The Natural Way to Fight Off Summer Bugs (No Harsh Sprays Needed!) Words That Motivate Our Team Page 2 The Work Behind the Win Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Page 3
Why Pets Beat Pay Raises Page 4
The $100K Reason to Get a Pet NEW STUDY SAYS PETS ARE WORTH PLENTY
Most pet owners already know their furry friends make life better, but according to a new study, the value might be higher than anyone realized. Some researchers say it’s close to $100,000.
they look after their neighbor’s house while they’re away. That behavior is linked to pet ownership but not directly to happiness, which helped researchers isolate the impact of pet ownership.
Researchers in the U.K. aimed to measure how much happiness dogs and cats bring to people’s lives. Using data from more than 700 people, they found that owning a pet can boost life satisfaction as much as getting married or landing a massive raise. In economic terms, it’s the emotional equivalent of earning nearly $93,000 more per year. To determine whether pets actually improve happiness, rather than the opposite — happy people are more likely to have pets — the team factored in things like age, income, personality traits, and family size. They also used a clever workaround: They asked people whether
It’s not just a fun fact, either. Experts say findings like this could affect everything from housing laws to public health programs. If pets fight loneliness and lift people’s moods, it might make sense to rethink rules that prevent pet ownership in some apartments and assisted living facilities. While the researchers focused only on cats and dogs, the message came through clearly. Pets matter, maybe even more than we thought. And if you already live with one and know how they benefit your well-being, the science now backs you up. That wagging tail or soft purr might be worth more than you ever guessed.
4 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com
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