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What 25 Family Members, 13 Grandkids, and a Beach Vacation Taught Me About Rest The Secret to Surviving the Holiday Stress Storm
Every December feels like a balancing act for me. On one side, there’s the whirlwind of the holiday season with its shopping lists, family traditions, and the warm anticipation of celebrating together. On the other side, there’s the world of Social Security disability law, which ramps up to full speed right when most people are trying to slow down. For reasons that have never fully made sense to me, the first three weeks of December are some of the busiest in the entire year for hearings. Social Security tries to pack in as many as possible before taking the last week off, which means those weeks before Christmas can feel like a sprint. Between preparing cases, representing clients, and trying to keep up with the usual holiday chaos, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. I know my team feels it, too, and I encourage them, just like I remind myself, that the last week of the year, when things finally go quiet, is our time to breathe. That’s when we hit pause and step away from the stress for a while. A few years ago, my family started a tradition that has become our saving grace: As soon as the last hearing is done and the wrapping paper is cleared, we pack up and head to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, for a week of pure relaxation.
There’s something about Hilton Head that feels like the opposite of December chaos. It’s warmer, the beaches stretch on forever, and the pace of life just slows to a crawl in the best possible way. My siblings and their families all join us, so by the time everyone arrives, there are about 25 of us renting condos in the same spot along the water. Thirteen grandkids fill the days with bike rides along the beach, pickleball games, basketball, mini golf, and trips to the movies. Laughter echoes through the bike paths as kids race each other, sandy footprints trailing into every condo, and someone always suggesting the next adventure. Meanwhile, the adults finally get the chance to slow down. We take long walks along the shore, sip coffee together in the mornings while watching the waves, and cook big family dinners that turn into late-night conversations around the table. Some years, we rent a boat and take turns cruising along the coastline, soaking up the sun and the quiet, a far cry from the fast-paced weeks we just left behind. What I love most is that we go back to the same place every year. There’s no stress about figuring out where to stay, what to do, or where to eat. Everyone knows the routine, and it makes the whole experience effortless. We can
just enjoy being together without the noise of work, deadlines, or obligations pulling us in a dozen directions. I share this tradition of slowing down with my team, and now with my clients, because I believe everyone needs to find their own version of that break. The Social Security disability process is hard enough on its own. People are dealing with serious health challenges, financial strain, and then the holidays add another layer of stress. Taking time, even just a few days, to truly unplug and reconnect with family or close friends can be the reset we all need. Life won’t stop
throwing challenges our way, but giving ourselves permission to step back, even briefly, helps us return stronger, calmer, and ready to face whatever comes next.
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Whisking Up New Traditions This Thanksgiving FILL YOUR HOLIDAY WITH GRATITUDE AND GAMES
The holidays are a magical time that brings together loved ones and a little chaos. Between the pie-making and travel plans, it can be easy to forget what we’re gathering to celebrate. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just carve the turkey, but also carve out some time for mindful traditions the whole family can enjoy. From sharing what you’re thankful for to hosting a family Thanksgiving talent show, this year is the perfect chance to create new traditions that deepen connections and spark laughter. Get ready to gobble up the fun together. Gather for Gratitude Thanksgiving is all about honoring what we are grateful for in life, and it can be a fun activity for you and your children to share. You can gamify gratitude in several ways, like creating a thankfulness jar where everybody adds slips of paper describing what they most appreciate. You can take turns reading them after dinner and even make a guessing game out of who wrote what. It could be as simple as gathering around the table for breakfast and everyone saying one thing they’re grateful for. Turkey Day Trivia There’s no better way to digest after the big Thanksgiving feast than having fun. Pick out some of your favorite board games or a deck of cards
for a post-meal game night. You could test everyone’s knowledge with a holiday-themed trivia competition or create a scavenger hunt around the house. No matter the game, ensure everyone from grandparents to kids can join in. Keep it focused on connection, not just winning. If you want to go all out, challenge all your guests to be ready with their best skills for a family talent show. A Soundtrack to the Stuffing Create a perfect soundtrack you can play while everyone helps with the cooking or winds down after dessert. Before the big day, ask everyone in the family to add one or two songs to a Thanksgiving playlist. Prompt them to pick tunes that remind them of the season, happy memories, the joys of being together, or even their favorite dishes. You can keep
adding to this list in subsequent years, turning the songs
into a playable family history.
Medication Side Effects Matter HOW OPIOID DEPENDENCE IMPACTS DISABILITY CLAIMS
Chronic pain doesn’t just hurt. It can take away the career you worked hard for, the hobbies you loved, and even the energy to keep up with everyday life. For many, opioid medication feels like the only lifeline. But when that lifeline starts creating its own set of challenges, the road to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) becomes even more complicated. The Double-Edged Sword of Pain Treatment Opioids are often prescribed to help people push through physical therapy, return to work, or simply get through the day. But over time, those same medications can cause side effects, like drowsiness, brain fog, or dependence, that make it impossible to hold down steady employment. The Social Security Administration doesn’t just look at the injury or illness itself. They also ask: How does the pain and the treatment affect your ability to function in the real world? Why the Paper Trail Matters If you’re living this reality, you already know how easy it is to miss appointments when every step hurts or when exhaustion keeps you from getting out the door. But when it comes to SSDI claims, medical documentation is everything. Without consistent records from your
doctors, pain specialists, or treatment programs, the SSA may assume your condition isn’t as limiting as it truly is. Records that show how symptoms have changed over time, what treatments you’ve tried, and how medication affects your life can make the difference between approval and denial. When Conditions Pile Up For many people, pain is just one piece of the puzzle. Depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and medication side effects can mean battling multiple invisible opponents at once. The SSA considers how all of these factors combine because it’s not about one diagnosis, it’s about the whole picture of your health and your ability to work. Why You Don’t Have to Do This Alone Applying for SSDI while managing pain and treatment can feel like a second full-time job. A disability lawyer can take on the heavy lifting, gathering records, coordinating with your doctors, and presenting your case clearly to the SSA. At Keefe Disability Law, we’ve helped countless clients tell the whole story of their struggles and secure the benefits they deserve. You focus on healing. We’ll focus on fighting for you.
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Pumpkin Dump Cake
INGREDIENTS
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1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin 1 (10 oz) can evaporated milk
•
1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional)
1 cup light brown sugar
3 eggs
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1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 box yellow cake mix
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1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
DIRECTIONS
The Paralegal Who Puts Heart Into Every Hearing Elisa Abatsis on Client Care, Creativity, and Carving Out Time for Hobbies It’s always fun to catch up with familiar faces, and this time we’re checking back in with Elisa Abatsis, a hearings coordination paralegal at Keefe Disability Law, who has been with the firm since 2019. Back when we last featured Elisa, she was already hard at work getting cases prepared for attorneys to present before administrative law judges. Now, a few years later, she’s still holding down the fort, only with even more experience under her belt and a few new life adventures to share. Since Elisa first started, a lot has changed behind the scenes. The timelines for initial and reconsideration levels have gotten longer since the pandemic, but she’s stayed steady in her role, helping clients navigate what can be a stressful and uncertain process. When Keefe Disability Law joined forces with Hartwig Law Firm in 2021, Elisa got to witness two firms with the same client-focused values come together as one. Through it all, she says she couldn’t ask for a nicer group of colleagues to work with, and she’s learned so much along the way. But work isn’t the only place where life has been busy for Elisa. Outside the office, she’s been diving into her passion for visual arts, even taking a granite-carving class, an adventure that pushed her well beyond her comfort zone in the best way. Hiking has also become a favorite pastime, complete with the occasional run-ins with bears and coyotes to keep things interesting. She even combined her love of the outdoors with a good cause, raising several hundred dollars for The Trevor Project through a distance walking challenge. When it comes to her job, Elisa loves the human connection most, building relationships with clients and helping them feel supported during what can often be a long and uncertain process. Seeing a Fully Favorable decision come through is always the highlight. As for the future? Elisa says she’s happy right where she is, alongside her two loyal pups, Sigrid and Apollo, and a team she loves working with every day.
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared pan. 4. Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by nuts or graham crackers and toffee bits. 5. Pour melted butter evenly on top. 6. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the center is set and edges are lightly browned. 7. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Inspired by CookiesAndCups.com
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Share Your Story! Do you want to share a story about your disability claim, experience with Keefe Disability Law, or just a funny story in general? Contact Andrea at 1-800-776-2929 or via email at Patrick@KeefeLaw.com, and you could be featured in our next newsletter!
inside this issue 385 Court St., Suite 210 • Plymouth, MA 02360 1-800-776-2929 • KeefeLaw.com
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December Gets Chaotic, Patrick Heads for the Coast
From Thankful Jars to Turkey Trivia
Chronic Pain, Opioids, and SSDI: What the SSA Really Looks At Catch Up With Elisa: From Courtroom Prep to Granite‑Carving Adventures
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Pumpkin Dump Cake
4
Want to Know Your Grandkids Better?
Small Questions, Big Connections The Interview That Builds a Grand Relationship
Most grandparents want nothing more than to spend time with their grandchildren, get to know them, and foster a close and positive relationship. But it’s not always easy to carve out time, especially if the grandchild is shy or lives on the other side of the country.
The questions should reflect the kids’ ages. You don’t want to ask anything too complicated of a 5-year-old or dig too deeply with a teenager, as they will get uncomfortable. The goal is to learn more about them and their interests, not their deepest, darkest secrets. Younger kids will enjoy answering questions about their favorite colors, games, animals, movies, school subjects, and more. Older kids can handle more detailed questions, relating to their passions, ideal careers, favorite family stories, and values. Keep in mind that you are not there to judge or even comment on their responses or views. You just want to gather information to establish a stronger relationship. Once you’ve made it through your list, or they’ve grown tired of answering questions, it’s time to flip roles. Encourage your grandchildren to ask questions about your career, your childhood, their parents as kids, family history, your favorite vacations, and life experiences. They might already have questions in mind that they want to ask you! Focusing on stories and things they can relate to will capture their attention best.
So, how can grandparents better connect with their grandchildren while learning more about them and
their interests? Have an interview!
The first thing to do is determine the best interview method. It depends on the children’s ages, preferred methods of communication, and the distance between them and their grandparents. Some can sit together in the same room, while others will need to use video calls, phone calls, or letters sent by mail or email. Once you determine the best mode of communication, it’s time to put the questions together.
Learning more about each other will lead to a stronger, more loving grandparent-grandchild relationship!
• 1-800-776-2929 • KeefeLaw.com
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