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TRANSFORMING PEOPLE’S LIVES APRIL/MAY 2025
8880 Cal Center Drive #190 Sacramento, CA 95826 www.ranchodlaw.com
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A MOTHER’S LOVE, A FAMILY’S JOURNEY
HONORING MY MOM’S LEGACY THIS MOTHER’S DAY
Mothers have the power to shape us, teaching us resilience, dedication, and the quiet strength to carry us through life’s most difficult challenges. My mother’s journey as an immigrant, with all its struggles and triumphs, didn’t just shape me as a person — it helped lead me to my purpose in life as an immigration lawyer. I still remember the day she became a U.S. citizen, standing tall with pride; it was a symbol of years of hard work and sacrifice. That moment wasn’t just about her; it was an achievement for all of us. It’s a big part of why I do what I do today, helping families navigate the immigration system, just like my family once did. With Mother’s Day approaching, I can’t help but reflect on my mom’s good qualities and how she’s inspired me all these years. My mom was only in her early 20s when she left behind everything familiar to pursue a greater life for herself and her family. She sacrificed so much for us. My parent’s got divorced when I was in sixth grade, she raised us as a single mother. I vividly remember how she worked two jobs with grace and perseverance when we were younger. It still inspires me to this day. I was a teenager when my mother officially became a citizen, and it was a pivotal moment in her life and mine. She was so proud, and it was one of the most significant milestones in my family’s history. The pure joy it brought to our family is something I treasure. Now, I feel great seeing people get their green card, visa, or citizenship. It changes their lives and brings me back to the joy I felt watching my mom reach this achievement.
My mom is a woman of integrity, a trait she passed on to me, along with the value of finding balance in life. She loves healthy food and taking care of herself, which has inspired me to do the same. She’s a proud grandmother to my son, and now that he’s a teenager, I think she enjoys being a sounding board for him, someone he can turn to. Even though she lives put of state, we visit her at least a few times a year. Every time we do, we have to stop at the local supermarket to get her favorite, freshly baked olive bread. It’s become one of our favorite traditions together. She loves family and health, so it’s no surprise we enjoy taking walks together. This Mother’s Day, I’m so thankful for all the lessons my mom has instilled in me. Her resilience continues to inspire me. Her story reminds me of the power of family, the strength of love, and the impact of hard work. Her influence has played a significant role in my career and continues to guide me as I help families navigate their own paths to a better life. To my mother, thank you for everything you’ve done for us all these years. Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!
REFER A FRIEND A referral is the greatest
compliment you could ever give us. If you know someone in need of our services, we welcome the opportunity to help. Please pass along this newsletter and tell them to give us a call at 916-613-3553 . We greatly appreciate it.
–Kaushik Ranchod
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SCIENTISTS’ SURPRISE: STUDENTS SERVED RADIOACTIVE OATMEAL GOING DANGEROUSLY ROGUE
Students at a state special-needs school in Massachusetts decades ago flocked to join the school’s Science Club, lured by gifts, promises of field trips, and hopes of emotional support from the scientists in charge. What they received instead was a daily dose of radioactive oatmeal. As part of a secret experiment by the Quaker Oats Company and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), dozens of boys at Fernald State School during the late 1940s and early 1950s were fed oatmeal laced with radioactive tracers. The goal was to study their bodies’ absorption of iron and calcium and prove the cereal’s nutritional benefits. Some boys also were injected with radioactive calcium.
10–17 were eager to join the Science Club mainly for the perks enjoyed by members. Boyce, who was sent to the school after his parents abandoned him, also hoped the scientists might intervene on the students’ behalf and report dismal conditions at Fernald, where students, many of whom were mentally disabled, were abused and treated brutally. Boyce and others received no help from the scientists, however, and weren’t even informed they were subjects of a scientific experiment until more than 40 years later. “We didn’t know anything at the time,” Boyce told Smithsonian magazine.
objections at the time. At the dawn of the Atomic Age, most Americans saw science as a powerful force for progress — the Atomic Energy Commission approved dozens of human experiments with radioactivity. The importance of ethics review boards and informed consent of research subjects was nowhere on scientists’ radar at the time. Not until 1972, when the Associated Press reported on a Tuskegee Institute study in which Black men with syphilis were promised treatment they never received, did Congress finally pass legislation protecting people from unethical research. Scientists later determined the boys at Fernald didn’t suffer serious health effects; one said the exposure was about the same as 30 chest X-rays. For students like Boyce, however, the injuries ran deep. Thirty former Fernald students later sued Quaker Oats and MIT and were awarded $1.85 million in a 1998 settlement.
“We just thought we were special.”
The study at Fernald,
originally named the Massachusetts State School for the Feeble-Minded, was led by an MIT professor of nutrition. No one raised
A student named Fred Boyce and about 70 other boys ages
Ancient Settlement Opens a Window on the Distant Past Unearthing History in Scotland
Modern-day adventurers exploring antiquity usually stop at Stonehenge or perhaps the Egyptian pyramids. But hundreds of years earlier, on the Orkney Islands off the western coast of Scotland, prehistoric people built an even more ancient marker of civilization. The settlement of Skara Brae was occupied for about 600 years, beginning around 3180 B.C., hundreds of years before people built the first pyramids in Egypt or placed the earliest stones at Stonehenge in England. Covered with sand for many years and sunken deep into the earth for stability and shelter from Scotland’s harsh winters, the little village remains the best-preserved Neolithic site in Western Europe.
What were the lives of these prehistoric people like? An estimated 50 inhabitants occupied a series of homes about 430 square feet in size. Stone doors covered low entrances, secured by bone bars. Several houses contained stone-built cupboards, dressers, seats, storage containers, and a stone hearth for warmth and cooking. Two beds, a large and a small one, were situated near the door. The inhabitants made and used grooved ware pottery. Some of the dwellings had a small anteroom with access to what appears to be a primitive sewer system that flushed waste out to the sea.
preserved artifacts appear to have been abandoned in a rush. Experts disagree on why occupants abandoned the settlement, but visitors are welcome to develop their own theories. Skara Brae is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Skara Brae is sometimes called “the Pompeii of Scotland” because its well-
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Unpack Parenting’s ‘Mental Load’
TAKE A BREAK
Finding Peace in Modern Parenting
Parenting is a labor of love, but let’s face it — sometimes, it just feels like labor. The mental load of raising kids and running a household creates a constant to-do list in your head: planning parent-teacher conferences, organizing meals, managing schedules, and worrying about everything in between. With nearly half of parents saying their stress is overwhelming, it’s clear we’re carrying more than we can handle. But the good news is that you don’t have to carry it alone. Forget the Instagram Fantasy We’ve all been there — scrolling through picture-perfect family photos on social media and wondering how everyone else makes parenting look so effortless. But let’s get real. No one’s life is as polished as their posts. Instead of measuring yourself against unrealistic standards, focus on what makes your family happy and healthy. Spoiler alert: It’s not homemade Pinterest lunches or spotless playrooms. Find Your Village (and Use It!) Parenting wasn’t meant to be a solo sport. Whether it’s friends, family, or other parents, building a strong support system can make all the difference. And if you have a
partner, open conversations about sharing the workload can lighten the load for everyone. Remember that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a superpower. Perfect Is Boring — Be Real Instead Let go of the idea that you need to be the perfect parent. Perfection is overrated and impossible.
Classic Fish Fry Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• Vegetable oil • 2 lbs fresh cod • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour • 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp water • 2 cups plain bread crumbs • 1/2 tsp mustard powder • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • Lemon wedges
Life throws curveballs, and part of raising resilient kids is showing them how to handle challenges without losing your cool. Be kind to yourself, and embrace the “good enough” mindset. You don’t need to do it all, and your kids don’t need you to be flawless — they need you to be present. Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered The mental load of parenting will never disappear entirely, but it doesn’t have to weigh you down. When you ditch unrealistic expectations, lean on your village, and embrace imperfection, you can find more balance and joy in the chaos. Parenting is messy, exhausting, and sometimes downright hard — but it’s also beautiful, rewarding, and full of unforgettable moments. So, take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and remember: You’re doing a great job. You’ve got this.
Directions 1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper. 3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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How Her Story Inspires Me Today
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A Chilling Tale From the Annals of Science
Unearthing History at a Prehistoric Scottish Settlement
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Classic Fish Fry
The Mental Load of Parenting: You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
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The Psychology of Celebrating Small Wins
Celebrate the Small Things WHY EVERY WIN MATTERS
Working toward big goals is a rewarding and exciting process, but it can also feel overwhelming. It’s easy to get bogged down thinking about how far you still have to go, but you can use a simple strategy to maintain your momentum: Focus on small achievements. The Science of Small Wins While seemingly insignificant, celebrating small wins has psychological benefits that can carry over into every aspect of your life. When you celebrate small achievements, your brain releases dopamine, the “feel good” chemical that lifts your mood and motivates you to keep going. This positive reinforcement generates momentum, making it much easier to tackle the next step.
reduces stress, improves resilience, and helps build a growth mindset. Focusing on your accomplishments allows you to alter your perspective, and you learn to see challenges as opportunities for growth.
Practical Ways to Celebrate Small Wins
Incorporating small celebrations into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated, so here are three strategies to help you get started. • Track your achievements in a progress journal. Seeing progress in writing can be very rewarding and provide much-needed motivation when things get difficult. • Share your win with friends and family. When you celebrate your achievements with others, you
strengthen personal connections and add positivity to the experience.
• Reward yourself. Even simple rewards reinforce the habit of recognizing progress and help make the journey more enjoyable. Achieving small goals is always worth celebrating. Acknowledging every step forward, no matter how seemingly insignificant, helps you stay motivated and confident while improving your overall mental well-being.
Acknowledging small wins also has a measurable impact on mental health. It
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