EVERYONE’S DOING IT!
DOWNSIZING FOR THE BETTER
Whether you simply want to eliminate clutter or move to a smaller home now that the kids have moved out, downsizing has increased in popularity in recent years. But, if it’s your turn to downsize, you may find it challenging and unexpectedly emotional. Here are some tips to make the process easier. Start early. This process cannot be rushed and will not be a quick one, so don’t try to squeeze all of the preparation and packing into a few days. This process can take weeks — or even months — and that’s completely normal. You’ll want time set aside to go through everything room by room, one item at a time. Create ‘keep’ and ‘toss’ piles. When going through your belongings, create a pile for items you want to keep and items you want to either donate, give away, or throw away. While creating a maybe pile may feel worthwhile at the time, it will only end up leaving you with more clutter. Plus, indecision prolongs the process. Get rid of duplicates. You’ve collected a lot over the years. If you have two can openers, five sets of bed sheets, three cookie sheets, and an endless supply of spatulas, it’s time to clear out the duplicates that you don’t need or use. Consider donating everything that’s in good condition — someone surely could make good use of it. Take time to reminisce. There is fun to be had in sorting through old memories. Allow yourself time to stroll down memory lane. Welcome laughter, smiles, and tears. You can even invite your loved ones over to help and share in the stories as you pack up the items you hold dear. Don’t let decluttering and downsizing be a daunting task; take it one step at a time. Even if you aren’t moving anytime soon, it’s always a good idea to cut down on the amount of clutter you hang on to!
Several years ago, our client — we’ll call him John — was riding shotgun in a friend’s pickup truck a few cars behind a school bus. When the bus stopped to let students off, John’s friend hit the brakes … but the construction truck coming up behind them didn’t. It smashed into the pickup at 65 miles per hour, hitting it so hard that the backs of both front seats collapsed. John’s last memory of the impact was the sound of an explosion. The pickup careened forward into the car in front of it with enough force to cause a four-car pileup. Miraculously, John pulled himself out of the wreck and appeared unhurt. He rode along with his friend to the hospital, but the emergency room physicians didn’t examine him. It wasn’t until hours later that John’s coworkers and family noticed that something was wrong. John wasn’t acting like himself. He couldn’t focus, and eventually, he went to see his doctor. She diagnosed him with a concussion, and when he visited a specialist, she discovered he had a “coup contrecoup” traumatic brain injury (TBI). During the accident, his brain had moved back and forth inside his skull with damaging force. JUSTICE AFTER A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY WE WON OUR CLIENT $1.8 MILLON!
John’s symptoms lasted for months, and after a year of treatment, the doctors gave their verdict: His post-concussion syndrome was permanent.
John thought his life was ruined. After more than thirty years of working, he couldn’t do his job without supervision. He had lingering tinnitus; problems with his memory, mood, and balance; headaches; photophobia; and issues concentrating. His only hope was to take his case to court — and our team stepped in to help. We threw all of our efforts into fighting for John, and after a yearlong legal battle, our hard work finally paid off. Just before John’s scheduled trial, we settled his case for $1.8 million! That money won’t bring back John’s health, but it will cover his past and future medical expenses and compensate for the paychecks he can’t earn because of his injury. It’s a huge step toward justice! If someone you know is struggling with the aftermath of a car crash, we might be able to help them, too. Send them to our website, MottleyLawFirm.com, to schedule a consultation.
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