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The Disability DIGEST
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July 2023
Don’t Fall for Fake Awards!
Always Do Your Research
When you receive an award, it physically represents your hard work, dedication, and accomplishments. For example, your children and grandchildren may get certificates in grade school for perfect attendance or honor roll. When you graduate high school and college, you receive a degree. Or, if you play sports, you win trophies and medals. You may hang these awards on your wall or line them across a shelf when you receive them. Recently, I received an award in the mail. Instead of displaying it, I threw it in the trash. But I’m getting ahead of myself — let me start from the beginning. I checked the mail one day and noticed a huge package waiting for me. I had no idea what it was! As I opened the box, I saw a ginormous plaque from the Social Security Disability Leadership that had Joel Thrift Law written across it. My first thought was, “What the heck is this?! I never heard of this organization before!” Because one of my service areas involves Social Security, it’s my responsibility to research information about the subject and find helpful resources for myself and my clients. But through all the years I’ve been practicing law and assisting others, I’ve never encountered the Social Security Disability Leadership organization. After a quick Google search, I found their website, and if I’m being honest, it looked like it was made on a free website generator. There is hardly any information on their website. They mainly provide an annual list of the top 500 Social Security Disability organizations in the U.S., but that’s really about it. I was unsure if this award and website were legitimate — I don’t know how they pull their data or determine their rankings. When I looked at the plaque, it was all lop-sided and top-heavy — even the award itself was suspicious! So, I called some other Social Security attorneys I know to see if they knew anything about this award. Typically, if an award or ceremony is happening, other attorneys and I will scratch each other’s backs — we agree that if I nominate them, then they will return the favor and nominate me. But none of us knew how or why we all received these plaques! We were all confused! I also discovered that many of my colleagues tossed their awards in the trash. So, we all knew something fishy was going on!
Scammers have gotten very lucrative at making their websites, calls, emails, texts, social media accounts, and awards seem legit. But there is almost always a catch. Therefore, if you ever receive a message that says you’ve won an award or were nominated for something, and you have no idea what the message is about, don’t click or accept anything! Sometimes, these scams require you to click on a link or offer payment to receive your “award” or secure your nomination spot — but these tactics could be scams and infringe on your privacy! Because of that, always be cautious about the information you receive, and do your research before doing anything. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Additionally, if you are on a law firm’s website and you see multiple awards outlined by an attorney, while some are legitimate, others might not be — like the one I received. So, if you need legal assistance and the attorney you know doesn’t provide the service you need, don’t be afraid to ask other law firms about them! We can point you in the right direction and recommend firms that provide you with the best service possible. Don’t let awards trick you! Always stay on the side of caution and do your research. If you have questions or concerns, I will gladly assist you anytime. Please don’t hesitate to call me.
–Joel Thrift
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Our Roads Are Becoming More Dangerous!
Protect Your Family From Road Rage Shootings Imagine this: You’re zooming down the interstate with your family, about halfway to your road trip destination. The windows are down, and you’re singing along to one of your favorite songs on the radio. It’s the perfect summer afternoon. Then, another car appears behind you and starts riding your bumper. doubled, with over 550 people being shot and 141 killed. And the violence continues — in April 2023, two fathers in Florida opened fire on each other’s cars, leaving a 5-year-old and 14-year- old wounded.
The Gas Fueling the Road Rage Fire Why are road rage shootings rising? Experts blame lingering anxiety from the COVID-19 pandemic, stress over the economy, political division, increased gun sales, and the fact that many Americans keep guns in their cars.
The vehicle won’t stop tailgating, so you tap your brakes, hoping to startle them into leaving you be. It doesn’t work. Instead, the car revs its engine, and a hand emerges from the driver’s side window. BAM! Your back windshield shatters, and your family starts screaming. This situation might sound dramatic, but it’s happening more than ever on American roadways. In 2019, 225 people were shot in road rage incidents across the country, resulting in 67 deaths. In 2022, both of those numbers had
steps to take to win and get compensation for your injuries.
Protect Yourself From Angry Drivers First and foremost, don’t be an angry driver yourself! Avoid driving when you’re upset, keep your car comfortable to prevent yourself from feeling irritable, and pick a strategy to calm yourself down (like a mantra or breathing exercise). If an angry driver targets you , stay calm, move away from them, and don’t respond to their behavior. The second you feel scared or unsafe, call 911.
Legal Recourse for Road Rage Victims
Should You Quit? If you or someone you know falls victim to a road rage incident, you can seek justice in court. After you get medical attention, call a personal injury attorney. They’ll tell you whether you have a case, what type of case it is (civil, criminal, or both), and what
When to Walk Away From a Friendship or Commitment
More Guidance on Quitting To learn more about paring down your life, check out the podcast “The Real Question.” As we write this, it’s in the middle of a season called “Should I Quit?” In each episode, host Vanessa Zoltan meets with a different guest and talks through whether they should quit a specific thing in their life — whether it’s a yoga subscription, a city, a choir, or the habit of telling a white lie — and how to do it gracefully.
It’s time to reframe quitting. Most of us think of leaving a commitment as a shameful, weak thing to do — but if you’re stressed and overwhelmed, it can actually be a mental health boost! That doesn’t just apply to walking out on a job. You should also consider quitting other things that weigh your life down. Maybe you’re in a book club that bores you or a friendship that feels like a chore. Quitting could reduce your stress and free up your personal time. The Right Time to Quit Consider these questions if you’re staring down the barrel of a commitment and aren’t sure whether this is the moment to walk away. 1. Do you dread spending time on this thing/with this person? 2. Does the commitment cause you stress or leave you in a bad mood? 3. Could you spend your time more happily and productively on something else? 4. Could someone else easily take over your role if you leave? If you answered “yes” to any of our questions, it may be time to quit — as long as doing so doesn’t put you or anyone else in physical, mental, or financial danger. Not convinced? Consider the philosophy of organizer Marie Kondo. Does this friendship, volunteer opportunity, or club spark joy? If not, thank it for its service and move on.
You can also pick up a copy of “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown. The philosophy of essentialism is about “challenging the core assumptions of ‘we can have it all’ and ‘I have to do everything’ and replacing them with the pursuit of ‘the right thing, in the right way, at the right time.’” McKeown’s book is packed with valuable lessons for anyone who struggles to say no or walk away.
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TAKE A BREAK
If you follow politics, then you may have heard the name “Constance Baker Motley” on the news or read it in the newspaper. Motley isn’t a current political figure (she passed away in 2005), but she inspired two of the most powerful women in Washington, D.C., today — Vice President Kamala Harris and newly minted U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts calls Constance Baker Motley the “Judiciary’s Unsung Rights Hero.” She was a key lawyer in the fight for civil rights in America and represented some of the biggest names in the movement, including Martin Luther King Jr! Motley’s potential was obvious from a young age. She grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, near Yale University, but her immigrant parents couldn’t afford to send her to college. Fortunately, her poise and intelligence caught the eye of a good Samaritan who offered to pay her way through school. On her way to the dorms, train station officials forced Motley to board the “Colored” car — and as the story goes, a civil rights hero was born. The humiliation of stepping into a “lesser” car for the first time was a defining moment in Motley’s life. To prove she deserved better, she went on to attend Columbia Law School, graduated in 1946, and accomplished more in a few decades than most of us achieve in a lifetime. Here’s a short list of her feats. The Inspiring Story of Constance Baker Motley MLK’s Supreme Court Lawyer
Barbecue Concert
Fishing Fourth Independence Larkspur
Park Pool Shade Stargazing Travel Vacation
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com SAZON GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS
Constance Baker Motley was …
• The first Black woman to argue a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court • The winner of 9 out of 10 Supreme Court cases • Chief counsel and eventually the principal trial attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund • The first Black woman to become a federal judge • The lawyer who filed the original complaint in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka , which led to the integration of public schools • The first Black woman to serve on the New York State Senate
This versatile summer chicken recipe is packed with warm flavors to keep your tastebuds on alert. It’s perfect for family BBQ nights or as a protein for meal prepping!
Ingredients
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp oregano • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) • 1/2 tsp salt • Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin • 1 tsp ground coriander • 1 tsp turmeric
That list is just the iceberg tip of Motley’s legacy! To learn more about her story, visit your local library and check out the 2022 biography “Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality” by Tomiko Brown-Nagin.
Directions
1. In a large bowl, add chicken, olive oil, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper (if desired), salt, and pepper. Toss together to coat chicken; let it marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 2. Preheat grill to 400 F. Grill chicken thighs for 6–8 minutes per side or until fully cooked and an internal thermometer reads 165 F. 3. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm, then chop into bite-size pieces to use in salads, tacos, bowls, and more!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
I Threw an Award in the Trash
1
The Scary Truth About Road Rage Shootings Does Quitting = Healing?
2
Sazon Grilled Chicken Thighs Meet Martin Luther King Jr.’s Lawyer
3
3 Creative Ways to Grow Food Indoors
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MOVE YOUR VEGGIES INDOORS! Get the Benefits of Gardening Without the Sweat
Create a mushroom-growing compost bin. You only need six things to grow
Gardening is incredibly satisfying — but in the summer, you may wonder whether the fresh produce is worth suffering through the heat, the humidity, and a stiff back. If so, try moving your garden indoors! Inside, you can get the same mental and physical benefits without the sweat. Here are three creative ways to grow food indoors. Grow your lettuce hydroponically. Lettuce is one of the quickest and easiest crops to grow inside because it thrives in relatively low light. You can buy a lettuce-growing kit for less than $100 at Walmart or off Amazon and either start the sprouts from seed in a moist growing medium (environmental journalist Katherine Gallagher recommends rockwool, lightweight clay aggregate, coconut fiber, or perlite) or purchase plant starts at your local nursery. Within a month, your lettuce leaves will be ready to eat!
mushrooms: a wooden tray, compost, mushroom spawn, a heating pad, a thermometer, and a spray bottle. Fill the tray with compost and a pinch of spawn, keep the compost at a toasty 70 degrees F with the heating pad for three weeks, and moisten it with sprays of water regularly until mushrooms appear. Go to Better Homes & Gardens for an online guide, or purchase a mushroom kit or terrarium. The more time, patience, and creativity you put into your indoor garden, the more it will reward you. To dig deeper (pun intended), pick up a copy of “Indoor Kitchen Gardening: Turn Your Home Into a Year-Round Vegetable Garden” by Elizabeth Millard or check out The Provident Prepper’s “Indoor Gardening” playlist on YouTube.
Plant peas or carrots under grow lights. Many people assume fruiting plants like peas and carrots are impossible to grow indoors. But with powerful grow lights, almost any plant can flourish! Try planting seeds or starts in pots and sunning them with fluorescent shop lights. The plants will take longer to mature than outdoors, but you’ll get there in the end. Other fruiting plants, like peppers and tomatoes, require hand pollination to thrive inside.
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