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THE SUPPORT OF SIBLINGS There’s Nothing Like It For many of us, the holiday season is dedicated to family. We meet up to celebrate Thanksgiving, exchange gifts on Christmas, and welcome the new year together. I’ve always been incredibly close with my siblings; they’ve been supportive, generous, and selfless toward me my whole life. Even as we enter our 40s and 50s and move across the country away from each other, we stay in contact and involved in each other’s lives. Our parents taught us that siblings should always be there for one another. As one of the younger kids, I often benefited from their support. One of the best examples of my siblings stepping in to help me occurred back when I was in college. At the time, I was struggling to make ends meet. I was paying for college primarily by myself while working two jobs and attending classes full-time. There were months when I struggled to find enough money to pay rent or afford groceries. Thankfully, one of my siblings was usually there to help me out! My car broke down when I was 21, and I didn’t have enough money to get it repaired or get a new car. I had money set aside for bills, but not for an emergency. I talked to my sister, Holly, about the situation. Without hesitation, she and her husband, Dwayne, gave me $1,500 on the spot to help me out. Holly and Dwayne were newly married, had just welcomed my eldest niece, Emma, into the world, and were just starting their own path in life. This was a lot of money back then, especially for new parents. They didn’t tell me I had to pay them back by a specific date or that I needed to do something for them in return. It was an emergency, and they wanted to help out. That was a profound moment in my life. It was a huge sacrifice by Holly and Dwayne I have never forgotten. I’ve spent many years since trying to show my gratitude to them and paying back the kindness they showed me. They have four kids now that I love to see whenever I visit. Emma recently graduated from college and works as a neonatal
R 2023
Holly and Dwayne with my son Ben
ICU nurse. Their son, Ryan, is a pilot in his third year in college, their daughter, Abigail, just started college, and their youngest, Sydney, is rapidly progressing through high school. I love those kids so much and hope to continue to support them as they find careers and start the next chapters of their lives. This holiday season, I’m finally getting my chance to pay Holly and Dwayne back alongside my other siblings. For the past 30 years, Dwayne has worked in air traffic control, and he’s preparing to retire in December. To celebrate the occasion, all five siblings and our families are gathering in Hilton Head, South Carolina, to celebrate Dwayne’s retirement! This has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait to see the smiles on everyone’s faces when we gather together. As you sit down to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, reflect on what makes you feel grateful. For me, it’s family, but you might need to search harder to find what you’re thankful for. Gratitude can bring immense
joy and relief to your life and help keep you afloat emotionally and psychologically as you progress through your Social Security case.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!
1-877-9-DISABLED (877-934-7225) • KeefeLaw.com •
The Science Behind Why Dogs and Humans Can’t Resist Leaf Piles
Whether it’s your boisterous toddler or rowdy pup, a perfect pile of autumn leaves might be too good to resist! You probably remember the days when you also jumped into a crunchy orange leaf pile without a second thought. But why do humans and dogs love jumping into huge piles of leaves?
The main (and most obvious answer) is because it’s fun! For kids, dogs, and even some adults, jumping and rolling around in the fall leaves is a satisfying form of play that releases energy. While this may be the simple reason for humans, there are a few more reasons your canine companion can’t resist a tower of leaves. Instinct to Dig Digging is a dog’s favorite pastime that dates back to their wolf ancestors. Just as natural as sniffing and barking, digging is an ingrained behavior for dogs, and they want to follow their instincts the moment they see a leaf pile. Whether they’re digging in to rest in the cool leaves or demolishing the pile entirely, your dog is just doing what dogs have always done. Irresistible Seasonal Scents Our sense of smell doesn’t even come close to dogs’ incredible scent skills. While we have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have anywhere
between 125–300 million! This means they can smell countless other scents we can’t, and autumn may bring some exciting aromas your dog hasn’t experienced in a while. The result? They’ll dive right into a leaf pile and get sniffing! Marking Territory Another scent factor could be your dog wanting to claim a particular leaf pile. We already know dogs use their scents to mark territory, and rolling in a beloved pile of leaves is a way to infuse their scent. After diving head first into some leaves, they leave their scent behind so other animals can smell them and know that the leaf pile has already been claimed! Whatever the case, jumping into a pile of leaves is completely normal — and fun! — for both humans and dogs.
HELPFUL TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES FOR SSDI APPROVAL
Check the work and SGA requirements. In addition to medical considerations, you must meet other non-medical requirements to qualify for disability benefits. Two significant examples
Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be overwhelming. The instructions can feel cryptic, and navigating the complex process can be confusing. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments are a much-needed lifeline for many people. But, the Social Security Administration (SSA) initially denies about
are work credits and substantial gainful activity (SGA). You need at least 40 work credits. Of these, 20 credits must be from the past ten years. You can earn up to four credits yearly based on your total
70% of SSDI applications. Often, this is due to paperwork errors or lack of medical evidence. Below, you’ll find some tips that will help save you from a frustrating and disheartening experience.
annual wages or self-employment income. You cannot exceed SGA thresholds for monthly income. For 2023, this amount is $1,470 for most people and $2,460 for blind individuals. You cannot earn more than this amount while receiving disability benefits. Hire an experienced disability attorney. The most significant step to improve your chances for SSDI approval is to work with a skilled disability attorney. The lawyers at Keefe Disability Law have years of experience handling various SSDI claims. Our team understands the complexities of the application process and can help present the strongest case possible to the SSA. Give us a call to learn how we can help you!
Review the SSA Blue Book listing. SSA lists qualifying conditions in its Blue Book. The list of impairments is broken down into several sections. The medical listing for each disability outlines specific criteria for meeting that listing. Search the SSA Blue Book for your condition and check if your disability meets the listing requirements. If you do not meet the criteria or your condition is not listed, you may still qualify for SSDI benefits. However, there is a greater burden of proof to support your disability benefits claim.
• 1-877-9-DISABLED (877-934-7225) • KeefeLaw.com
Stuffed Pepper Soup
MEET GRIFFIN
We’re always looking to add people to our team who are ambitious, compassionate, and strongly desire to help others. Our team is at the forefront of representing our clients and helping them achieve their goals while meeting any other needs they may have. A few months back, we added Griffin MacWilliams to our intake team, and he has been impressing us and our clients with his expertise and kindness since his first day on the job. The Newest Member of Our Intake Team
INGREDIENTS
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2 lbs ground beef
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2 tsp salt
6 cups water
2 tsp beef bouillon granules 1 tsp black pepper
1 28-oz can tomato sauce 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained 2 cups chopped green peppers 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
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2 cups cooked long- grain rice Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
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The legal field wasn’t always on Griffin’s radar. In high school, he attended Upper Cape Tech for information technology, graduating in the top 15% of his class. He then went to UMass Boston and began studying computer science, but quickly realized it was not his ideal career path. Griffin had always enjoyed writing persuasive pieces
DIRECTIONS 1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. Add beef back to the pot and stir in all ingredients except the cooked rice. Bring to a boil. 2. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered until peppers are tender, about 30 minutes. 3. Add cooked rice and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
and felt strongly about the political climate he grew up in, which led him to pursue a degree in political science. He graduated from UMass Boston with a bachelor’s in political science, a certificate of excellence in the field, and the honor of magna cum laude. Griffin was unsure about what he wanted to do after graduation. He contemplated going to law school but wanted to ensure he was making the right decision before taking the leap. This led him through our doors to get experience working in a law office before deciding whether law school was the best path forward. Although he’s only been with us for a few months, Griffin has continued to go above and beyond to assist our clients. Even if it’s something he can’t personally help with, he’s quick to point our clients in the right direction and provide them with the necessary resources. Outside of work, Griffin enjoys playing video games on his PC, watching the Bruins and Celtics, and walking his two dogs, Dublin and Belfast. He also loves to write prose poetry, generally centered around human rights and political action.
We are so glad to have Griffin on the team and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for him!
1-877-9-DISABLED (877-934-7225) • KeefeLaw.com •
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Share Your Story! Do you want to share a story about your disability claim, experience with Hartwig Law Firm, or just a funny story in general? Contact Andrea at (508) 732-8989 or via email at Patrick@KeefeLaw.com, and you could be featured in our next newsletter!
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inside this issue
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The Unbreakable Bond Between Siblings
Explore the Instinctual Call of Crisp Autumn Leaf Piles
Improve Your Odds for SSDI Approval
3
Who Is Griffin MacWilliams?
Stuffed Pepper Soup
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Tips to Make the Best Thanksgiving Turkey
Mayo Magic: The Secret to Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey
Flavor Infusion If you’re a mayo lover, you’ll agree it’s
Simple Preparation The mayo method streamlines your preparation process — here’s what to do:
delicious! While it gives the turkey a subtle and rich flavor, the result doesn’t taste like mayonnaise at all! (Mayo haters can breathe a sigh of relief.) Even Browning Applying mayonnaise to the turkey creates an even and beautiful browning effect on the skin. This enhances the visual appeal and contributes a succulent and slightly crispy texture. Spice Kick Don’t worry — you’re not using only mayonnaise on your turkey. The mayo method serves as an excellent base for your choice of seasonings. You can create your own mixture before applying it to the turkey. Thyme, parsley, garlic powder, sage, cayenne, and rosemary are all great options.
The turkey undoubtedly takes center stage among the many culinary delights that grace the Thanksgiving table. While there are plenty of methods for cooking a turkey, many chefs and home cooks swear by the “mayo method” as the best way to achieve a moist and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey — here’s why! Moisture Lock One of the biggest challenges when roasting a turkey is maintaining its moisture. The mayo method involves slathering the turkey with a layer of mayonnaise before roasting. Because mayonnaise contains oil, it helps lock in moisture during cooking, resulting in a juicy and tender turkey.
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Allow your turkey to thaw. Create your custom mayonnaise by mixing it with your seasonings of choice. Dry the turkey with paper towels and season it with salt and pepper. Gently separate the skin from the bird and slide in cubes of butter. Rub the entire turkey with your mayonnaise mixture, inside and out. Bake at 450 F for 30 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 325 F and cook for 15 minutes per pound.
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This Thanksgiving, give the mayo method a whirl — you and your guests won’t be disappointed!
• 1-877-9-DISABLED (877-934-7225) • KeefeLaw.com
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