FSTN February 2018

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February 2018

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U nderdog stories fascinate us more than anything else. Whether it’s David vs. Goliath or the Cinderella story in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, everybody loves an underdog story. Tales of the little guy fighting the giant resonate with people across the world. It doesn’t matter if the battle is over a trophy or if it’s a life-or-death struggle, we always want the underdog to emerge victorious. One of the most famous underdog stories is the United States men’s Olympic hockey team versus the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The Soviet team had dominated for years, and even the most hopeful fans doubted if the U.S. team could even score in the game — let alone win. Instead, Team USA pulled off an amazing upset, winning the game 4–3 and earning themselves a place in history. The game inspired what is now one of the most recognizable broadcast calls in history, as Al Michaels screamed that he did, in fact, believe in miracles. Although I have never played hockey, and it is doubtful I am coordinated enough to skate while shooting a puck, I do know what it is like to be the underdog — to be the person everyone expects to lose or to just fold against superior competition. I was born with Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition that affects my right side. Growing up, I faced numerous surgeries,

The United States hockey team celebrating victory over the Soviets at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.

what it’s like to wake up thinking, “Is it worth it?” I know what it’s like getting constantly beat on, struggling to get back up, and getting beat down again. But I decided I was not going to let this condition define who I am or who I was going to become. I fought and kept fighting. I graduated from college with honors in three years, graduated from law school and ran my first mini-marathon on my graduation day — not something I would recommend — passed the bar exam, and became an attorney. Now I am fighting for the underdog every day. I serve on the board of directors for Reach Services here in Terre Haute. Formally known as the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, its mission is to improve the lives and well-being of low- and moderate-income individuals with special needs and their families. The foundation does this through advocacy, outreach, housing, and supportive services. I want to ensure everyone gets the same help I did in order for them to become the best possible people they can be. No one likes hiring an attorney. It usually happens when people are at their worst. After working on my first personal injury case, I realized this was the kind of law I wanted to practice — representing people I can relate to. When clients come into my office and sit down, I know the last place they want to be is here. They are injured, have medical bills piling up, have a lot of questions, and do not know what to do. It gives me a lot of joy to be able to walk into that room, answer their questions, fight against the big insurance company that tries to lowball their case, help them, and get them back on their feet. I can look them in the eye and tell them I know exactly how they feel. I can tell them I didn’t give up and neither should they. I will use my tenacity and life experiences to make sure no one takes unfair advantage of my clients.

countless hours of therapy, and near- constant ridicule, simply because I was different. I had to fight for everything, against all odds, and seemingly everything stacked against me. I know what it’s like. I know

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Our referrals continue to be one of the best ways clients find us, and we deeply appreciate it! for your trust and confidence

Do you believe in miracles? I know I do.

– Caleb Fleschner

1 (812) 232-2000

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Spices and herbs add much more than flavor and aroma to your favorite beverages and treats. They also offer many health benefits. When properly utilized, these spice-rack staples can ease a variety of symptoms. Ready to find your new holistic health kick? Read on. Nutmeg This spice, known for its earthy, nutty flavor, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Want to calm nagging pain? This spice has been used to treat joint pain and arthritis. It can even be used to remedy bad breath. Nutmeg is most potent when it’s freshly grated, so it’s recommended you purchase whole nutmeg seed, found in most specialty food stores. You can incorporate nutmeg into your diet by taking it as a supplement in capsule form or simply sprinkling it into your next chai tea. Your achy joints will thank you. Ginger This root is an essential natural anti- inflammatory. It can help ease an upset stomach and finally tame your nausea. You can safely eat it

raw, candied, as a supplement, in tea, or in baked goods. Ginger is most effective when it’s ingested raw or in capsule form. If you have morning sickness, raw ginger might do the trick. Just ask the people of ancient China. Like many spices, ginger’s use as a supplement goes back centuries. Southeast Asian countries used it to ease their own common ailments. Call it tried and true. Peppermint You can use peppermint as an essential oil, steep the leaves for tea, or take a supplement capsule. Each form comes with its own benefits. As an essential oil, peppermint is great for treating colds. It’s a mild decongestant, and it helps with coughs and stuffed-up noses. It also soothes sore throats and headaches. Rub one or two drops under your nose, on your temples, or over your sinuses and feel the relief wash over you! Even further, a study published by The BMJ found that when administered as a capsule, peppermint helped reduce the symptoms of IBS in a majority of patients.

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Ways to Ensure Your Disability Claim GETS APPROVED

Keep your records in order. Whenever you apply for disability or appeal DDS’s previous decision, include up-to-date copies of your medical records. This will keep everything above board and make it easier for examiners to determine the validity of your case. Cooperate with your claims examiner (and everyone else). The more you listen and respond to your examiner’s requests, the more inclined— and well-equipped — they’ll be to pass your claim along to the next level. Answer letters or emails as quickly as you can, and go to every medical examination they schedule on your behalf. Beyond that, try to maintain a friendly relationship with everyone working on your case, from the reps at your local Social Security office, to the DDS examiner, to any representation you have on your side. You’ll catch more bees with honey, after all. Stay on top of your case. As your case progresses, make sure you check for regular updates. This can be done through your attorney or, if you’re unrepresented, a call to your local DDS office.

If everything ran like it was meant to, disabled people across the country would have instant access to the benefits and medical care they need. But as the Social Security Administration and its adjunct Disability Determination Services (DDS) filter out those who they deem unqualified for benefits for their daily lives, many individuals get overlooked or wrongly denied. With this in mind, it’s important you do everything you can to ensure your claim goes as smoothly as possible, increasing your chances. Here are a few tips to give you an edge throughout the process. Get your physician on board. Next time you’re at the doctor, ask if they will support your case for disability. If you’re able to get them on your team, you’ll have a powerful ally and resource during the proceedings. Ask them to write a detailed statement on your disability and inability to work, preferably a residual functional capacity (RFC) form.

Get an attorney. Of course, the single best way to maximize your chance for approval is to have an experienced representative in your corner. Call us at 812.232.2000 to set up a free consultation and see the difference a lawyer can make.

2 www.FleschnerLaw.com

laugh!

This client came to us after she was injured in a car collision. The other driver was texting and speeding. Our client was heading home after working all day when she was rear-ended. Unbelievably, the liability insurance company denied fault and even refused to pay for our client’s medical bills. We are happy to say we were able to force the liability company to accept responsibility. Plus, we were able to secure a high settlement for our client beyond anything she was expecting. Our next success story involves a client who was rear-ended by a driver who had been distracted by his radio. Immediately after the collision, our client experienced significant pain in her neck, back, and shoulder. Imaging later indicated a tear in her left shoulder. Two years of treatment, which included surgery and months of rehab, significantly impacted our client as she continued to live and work through the pain. Initially, the liability insurance company attempted to lowball our client’s claim. After battling with the insurance company, our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys was able to secure a high settlement, forgoing the need for a court battle and ensuring our client a chance to get back on her feet. success stories

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Celebrate Chinese New Year in style with these egg tarts! Originally a Portuguese delicacy, thesemarketplace treats were influenced by British custard tarts and eventually became a Hong Kong staple.

Ingredients

• • • •

1 cup confectioners’sugar 3 cups all-purpose flour

• • • •

Vanilla extract

2/3 cup white sugar 1-1/2 cups water 1 cup evaporated milk

1 cup butter

10 eggs, beaten

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix confectioners’sugar and flour. Mix in butter with a fork until crumbly. Stir in 1 beaten egg and a dash of vanilla until doughy. Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and press into tart molds. Use 2 fingers to fold down edges of dough. 2. Heat oven to 450 F. In a medium saucepan, combine white sugar and water; bring to a boil. Simmer until sugar is dissolved, then let cool. Strain remaining 9 eggs through a sieve, then whisk in sugar mixture. Stir in evaporated milk and a dash of vanilla. Strain the mixture again and fill tart shells. 3. Bake 15–20 minutes, until golden brown.

3 (812) 232-2000

Recipe inspired by SlowCookerGourmet.net.

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Do You Believe in Miracles? 3 Holistic Remedies Hiding in Your Kitchen Give Your Disability Claim a Fighting Chance Client Success Stories Craving Dessert for Chinese New Year? Protect Your Grandchild’s Future

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Invest in Your Grandchild’s Education

Are 529 Plans Right for You?

There are many strategies out there for folks who want to invest in their grandchildren’s education. Different options may be more attractive than others, depending on your income bracket and the needs of your family. Traditional strategies, like life insurance policies or paying for your grandchild’s schooling directly, only work if you have the capital. Furthermore, those methods can often negatively impact your grandchild’s ability to qualify for financial aid. Before you commit yourself to one of these paths, it’s worth exploring a third option: 529 saving plans. 529 plans are income tax-free savings plans specially designed to help you invest in a child’s higher education. In general, these are treated favorably by financial aid assessors, meaning you won’t hurt your grandchild’s chances of receiving government grants. There are two broad types of 529 plans: college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans. Savings Plans College savings plans use one or more investment portfolios to grow your grandchild’s tuition fund. Each portfolio contains a diversified mix of investments

curated by the plan’s money manager. Most plans allow you to select from a menu of portfolio options that best fit your goals and risk tolerance. Many college savings plans start aggressive and then become more conservative as your beneficiary approaches college age. The downside with these sorts of plans is that there will always be risk involved; there’s no guarantee on investment returns. Prepaid Tuition Plans States and some private institutions have 529 plans available that allow you to pay for your grandchild’s tuition up front, well before they are ready to head off to college. Some plans guarantee to cover a set amount of future tuition expenses in exchange for a lump sum or payment plan. Other plans allow you to buy “units” or “credits,” which translate to a fixed percentage of an institution’s tuition. Essentially, you pay the cost of tuition today rather than what it will cost by the time your grandchild goes to college. Prepaid plans are far less risky than savings plans, but they aren’t as flexible. They often limit options to state schools or select institutions, though most plans offer some form of reimbursement option if your beneficiary decides to attend another school. College just isn’t as affordable as it used to be. Knowing your options and finding a savings strategy early in your grandchild’s life can help ensure the avenues of higher education stay open for them.

4 www.FleschnerLaw.com

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