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SWERDLOFF In The Know
www.lawwithasmile.com • 310-577-9104
JUNE 2018
FINDING OUR COMMON THREAD
Where Compassion and Knowledge Are Sewn
Last month, I attended a live theater show that blew me away. There are many theaters in LA, but this one was truly something special. It was put on by the local Create, Reflect, Empower (CRE) Outreach group and featured a cast of actors who are blind. These artists are proof that you don’t need sight to discover and share your talents with the world. “Lost in the Light,” is the moving story of a person who is blind and has the opportunity to get her sight back through experimental surgery. In the story, the protagonist grapples with what gaining her sight will give her and what she may lose in the process. The story was uplifting. It was clear that these actors are passionate about their work and that the directors and CRE staff are skilled professionals. To complement the on-stage performance, live music was played by a fabulous musician who is blind and autistic. He was accompanied by an ensemble choral group. When it was all put together, it was really tremendous. Thanks to a chance encounter at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, I met Greg Shane, who is the co-founder and creative director of CRE and the director of “Lost in the Light.” During this chamber meeting, I talked about special needs, and Greg talked about his role at CRE. After we heard each other’s introduction, we knew we had to meet to talk. In addition to Theater by the Blind, CRE puts on several programs to make the arts accessible to everyone. In their words, “CRE
stands for Create, Reflect, Empower — words that encompass the process, focus, and targeted outcomes of our programs.” Greg was kind enough to give me a tour of CRE’s newly renovated theater and invited me to their performance of “Lost in the Light.” I’m so fortunate I get to meet people like Greg in my line of work. What I find so inspiring is that CRE’s staff members show participants that their disabilities only limit them as far as they let them. They’ve opened up a whole new world to folks, and now this group of artists have found a passion that they can share with the world. Thanks to the incredibly skilled folks at CRE, many of whom have a background in theater and the arts, these individuals with special needs discovered and developed their skills. I came away from this performance feeling inspired and reminded of why I do what I do. It was a high point for me.
Sometimes it can seem like the areas of law I’ve chosen to specialize in are unrelated. Estate law and special needs — what do they have in common? When I think about why I chose them, though, I’m reminded that they share a common thread — giving proper representation to families and individuals who are underserved. I combined my knowledge and background in finance with my compassion for individuals with special needs. It ties back to the mission of our firm, that every family I serve can look to the future with optimism and excitement knowing that, no matter what, they are well-protected. These families are the reason I look forward to work every day and the reason I prepare endlessly to go into court. What more could I ask for than to use my skills to serve others? –Arthur J. Swerdloff
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IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN MINUTES HOWMEDITATION HELPS YOUMAINTAIN BRAIN HEALTH
On the cover, attorney Art Swerdloff talks about the powerful performance he saw last month. It’s thanks to Greg Shane that this performance happened. Greg is the co-founder of the only theater troupe in the U.S. that has a cast of all-blind actors, as part of CRE. He was kind enough to share a bit more about his program and how it got started. “About 13 years ago, I was volunteering for the organization Changing Perceptions. The woman directing it was working with five or six individuals who were blind to share their story and dreams. It was very profound,” says Greg. “While volunteering, I had this vision of what it would be like to create an original play with a cast of actors who are visually impaired.” When the director of the organization passed away suddenly, Greg knew that he couldn’t let the organization go with her. “I thought, ‘We can’t let this go away. This is too important,’” says Greg. Meditation has often been touted by New Age gurus as a way to find inner peace and stillness. But what if meditating could reduce the effects of aging on your brain? According to research, taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate may improve cognitive function. As meditation’s popularity has spread, so have studies of the practice. The results of 100 studies examining the cognitive effects of meditation all show evidence of improvements in psychological and cognitive functions. Some of the results are intuitive, such as how meditation helps us deal with stress. But other results are incontrovertible, such as scans showing that meditation causes structural changes in the brain. For people facing age-related changes like memory loss, the results of these tests are especially relevant. The studies point to evidence that meditation can strengthen
Blind in his right eye since childhood, Greg knows what it’s like to live with visual impairment. “I had a patch for the first 4 years of my life. Most of the time I was living in darkness,” Greg says. “That experience taught me that even though people will say you can’t do things, you have to do them.” From the starting point of empathy and determination, Greg brought together friends and theater professionals in the LA area to rally behind the organization. Together, they formed what is now the Create, Reflect, Empower (CRE) organization, with programs that include Theater By the Blind. “We started with four visually impaired individuals in a gym. We had no vision for what was going to happen and no costumes. And now, it’s culminated in this,” says Greg. “I hear about the positive changes it brings, and I do believe the program changes participants’ lives. They look forward to rehearsal all week.” Greg describes the community the program fosters as “more than a show — we form a family.” THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX Your prefrontal cortex thins with age, which is associated with decreased cognitive function in your later years. However, meditation may reduce this age-related thinning. Dr. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist specializing in the effects of yoga and meditation on cognitive and behavioral function, reports that long-time meditators don’t show a decline in the thickness of the prefrontal cortex. THE HIPPOCAMPUS Your hippocampus helps you process and form new memories, and it’s very sensitive to stress. In fact, research shows that your hippocampus will shrink in response to stressful situations and chronic stress. The remedy? Meditation. Dr. Lazar’s study showed a positive correlation between certain areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala — that weaken as we age.
meditation and a higher concentration of gray matter in the left hippocampus.
What's up next for CRE? “Our next production is ‘Marching On.’ It’s a really interesting show with military veterans. It’s all about their stories and the impact the military had on them, brought to life on stage. This show is something that I take a lot of pride in. I worked with vets for a long time, and their performance is very inspiring,” says Greg. You can see “Marching On” June 28–29 at Wallace Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and in July at CRE’s home theater, The Blue Door. For tickets and more information, go to creoutreach.org, and visit their Facebook page for updates. THE AMYGDALA Often called the fear center of the brain, the amygdala is triggered by stressful situations. But unlike the hippocampus, which shrinks in response to stress, the amygdala has been shown to become denser. In one study, people who attended mindfulness meditation classes showed a smaller stress response in brain scans compared to those who did not attend the classes. Meditation may help to decrease the density of the amygdala and therefore increase your ability to handle stress. Of course, in addition to these benefits, there’s a good chance that five minutes of meditation each day will simply make you feel better. People who meditate report an increase in overall well-being. Why not give it a try?
GREG SHANE SHARES THE ORIGINS OF THEATER BY THE BLIND
Bringing Empowerment to the Community
Gregwith actors fromTheater for the Blind
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HOW A ROLE CAN TRANSFORM A CHILD
ART AS COMMUNICATION
For a child with autism, relating to the world is a daily struggle. Characteristics of autism can make it difficult for those who are on the spectrum to express themselves and understand social norms. While these children often want to participate and interact with their peers, it can be challenging for them to find the tools to do so. But there's one possible bridge for those with special needs: theater. In a recent study on drama therapy, one researcher observed how a summer theater program affected a group of students with special needs. Many of the children involved were able to utilize dramatic exercises, like role-play, to find new ways to express themselves and ease social anxiety. During the summer program, the organizers created an environment where participants could find alternate solutions
and new perspectives through theater- based games and activities. For some, writing stories taught the importance of having a dialogue and asking questions to show interest. For other participants, role-play and other improvisational games helped initiate conversation and increase communication skills. One mother noted that, following the theater program, her son was “much more engaged and initiated activities and conversations more than previously.” For parents of children with special needs, finding programs and activities that allow their children to learn and grow can help them discover how capable they really are. As you look for the best options for your child, make sure you also have a plan in place for their future. If your estate plan doesn’t reflect this, it’s time to reevaluate it.
When you are ready to create security for your family’s future, attorney Art Swerdloff is here. Mr. Swerdloff has worked with families for many years and understands that you need someone there for you through the twists and turns life takes. Mr. Swerdloff is an experienced courtroom attorney and will be there for you and your family. Whether it’s helping with the legalities of your probate case, taking a case to court, or establishing estate administration, Mr. Swerdloff is here to help. Contact him today and find peace of mind.
SUDOKU
OATMEAL COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
Ingredients
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed • 1 large egg yolk • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 4 pints ice cream (any flavor)
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter • 1 1/2 ounces store-bought waffle cones, lightly crushed • 1 1/2 cups oats • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. While oven is heating, cook butter in saucepan over medium heat until browned, 5–8 minutes. Scrape browned butter into a heatproof measuring glass. 2. Pulse waffle cones, oats, flour, and salt in a food processor or blender. Once cones are finely ground, add brown sugar and pulse again. 3. Whisk egg yolk, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. 4. Add egg mixture to food processor while spinning on low. Once integrated, slowly add browned butter; blend until dough forms a solid mass around blades. 5. Form dough into 26 balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten balls and bake 12–15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. 6. Let cool, then spread ice cream between cookies to make sandwiches. 7. Freeze for up to 5 days — or enjoy today!
inspired by Bon Appetit
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INSIDE
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The Performance That Reminded Me of My Purpose
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How Meditation Can Help the Aging Brain How Theater by the Blind Came to Exist
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The Benefits of Drama Therapy Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
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It’s Adopt a Cat Month!
THE PURR-FECT COMPANION What You Need to Know Before Adopting a Cat
Third, make an appointment with a veterinarian when you’re ready to adopt. Ideally, you want to set this appointment as soon after the adoption date as possible. That way, when you bring your new companion home, you’ll know they are healthy — or at least be aware of any health problems that will require medication or a bit of TLC. For more about adopting your first cat, be sure to check out these a- meow -zing resources:
There’s nothing quite like the warmth of a cat as she curls up in your lap and purrs. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, making this the purr-fect time to bring home a new companion! All across America, millions of cats and kittens are in need of a loving home. Adult cats are often put up for adoption when their owners can no longer care for them, and an unexpected litter of kittens may have trouble finding homes. But you can help! If you’re considering getting a cat, the newest member of your family may be waiting for you at your local shelter or humane society. But before you take that next step toward cat ownership, there are a few things you need to know. First, find a cat with a personality that makes sense for your family and your living space. No two cats are alike. Some are
friendly and great with small children, while others enjoy a quiet cuddle and plenty of alone time. Keep in mind that personality traits can change over time. A rambunctious kitten may eventually mellow out, while a shy kitten might want to be the center of attention when she grows up. When you visit a shelter or humane society, carefully read through every personality description and ask questions about each cat. Second, cats are territorial creatures. They need a space they feel belongs to them, whether that space is indoors or out — or both. Before you introduce a cat into your home, make sure they have space to explore right away. Set up a few spaces just for them, with food, water, and toys. Make sure the litter box is away from their food and water. Placing these items in separate rooms is critical. If they’re too close, the cat may avoid eating or drinking!
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americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/cat- adoption-checklist bestfriends.org/resources/bringing- new-cat-home-how-prevent- problems-day-one
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mustlovecats.net/ beginners.html
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