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FEB/MAR 2020
Our Attorneys Fight for Your Future THE ADVISOR
LOCATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY
PA: 215-883-8532 NJ: 609-796-9852
• Social Security Disability • Long-term Disability • Bankruptcy • Criminal Defense
I’ll be honest, sometimes this job can feel like “Groundhog Day” if I’m not careful. Don’t get me wrong, working in bankruptcy and disability law is certainly fulfilling — helping people out of some truly desperate situations is a calling I wouldn’t trade for anything on this earth. But when you’ve been in this industry as long as I have, you start to pick up on certain patterns that present themselves again and again. Thus, I find myself relating to Bill Murray’s character in the 1993 romantic comedy “Groundhog Day.” Many people may be familiar with the expression born from the movie’s title, but some may still need a plot refresher. Murray plays a snarky weatherman sent begrudgingly to cover the Groundhog Day ceremony in Punxsutawney, PA. The following day, he finds he wakes up to find out it’s Groundhog Day all over again, with the same events playing out identically save for his own actions. Hilarity ensues as he struggles to live out the same loop again and again. Unfortunately, the loops encountered by my profession are far grimmer. While I might not literally relive the same day, I see many people caught in similar situations thanks to similar problems. Time and time again, I talk with people facing bankruptcy thanks to medical debt or disability after an accident. Meeting people facing what is often the most difficult situation of their entire lives will never get any easier, even after 35 years of these meetings. The trick is to never grow numb to it. You see, this is not just in the law but also in medicine. When your job requires you to interact with people in dire circumstances, it can be easy to grow cold and detached from those you are there to help. You see it all the time; patients or clients are treated like numbers without proper consideration for their individual needs. This desensitization even happens to our protagonist in “Groundhog Day” itself. After living out many, many loops, Murray becomes laconic, sinking into a deep depression due to his inability to escape his circumstances. He only learns to grow happy with and accept his circumstances once he begins focusing on the good he can do with the day he has. SOMETHING WORTH REPEATING
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Before he even escapes his loop, Murray finds happiness and fulfillment in “Groundhog Day.” He uses his unique powers of foresight to better the lives of the people of Punxsutawney and manages to wake up each new morning energized and ready to do good in the world. For my part, I can say there’s real truth in this philosophy. When people ask me how I get through my day, meeting people in these challenging circumstances again and again, I tell them I live for the end results. I truly believe that when the process is said and done, people feel better about their situation than when they first came into my office. Seeing that relief on a client’s face as their pressures finally dissipate is something I’ll never get tired of and why I’ve felt so fortunate these past 35 years. –Paul H. Young
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GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE FEB. 14 IS NATIONAL DONOR DAY With all the cards, chocolates, and expensive dinners, it’s easy to get cynical about Valentine’s Day. However, National Donor Day also falls on Feb. 14, and it can refocus our attention back on the real meaning of the day: love. In the U.S., 20 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant. Losing loved ones is one of the most painful aspects of the human experience, and while it is unavoidable, organ donation offers a pathway to help prevent that loss and keep more love in the world. In the spirit of that love, here are a few ways you can get involved with National Donor Day this Feb. 14. Register as an organ donor. Signing yourself up is easy and can be done either online or in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You’ll need official identification to register. Registration is not permanent and you will always have the option to change your mind. Once registered, you will not need to carry your donor card with you, as your status exists in the registry. Join a Donor Dash. Donor Dash fundraising events pop up all over the country on National Donor Day. These noncompetitive 5K running and
1982. He was voted by his peers as the Players Choice Awards NL Outstanding Pitcher and was the first Phillie since 1987 to receive the National League Cy Young Award. In 2011, his ERA improved to 2.35, but they only won 19 games to 6. From 2012–2013, Hallaway began to experience more injuries due to being in baseball for over a decade. He finally retired amidst the 2013 season, citing his back injuries and desire to spend more time with family. Legacy After Retirement After he retired, Hallaway continued involvement with the MLB as a guest instructor for the Phillies and Blue Jays. His expertise in sports psychology prompted the Phillies to hire Halladay as a “mental skills coach” in March 2017. For the better part of the past decade, Halladay had been influencing aspiring and current professionals in Philadelphia and in American baseball at large. In late 2017, after his death, the Phillies suspended uniform number 34 to honor Halladay. The Blue Jays followed with retiring his old jersey number, 32. In 2019, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. walking events are designed to bring donors and recipients together and keep hope alive for those who are currently waiting for a donation. To learn more, or to register for an event, check out DonorAlliance.org. Participate in #StartTheConversation. Donor Alliance, a nonprofit that works to promote organ donation, began the #StartTheConversation campaign as a way to help spread awareness about organ and tissue donation. Starting the conversation can be as simple as sharing that you registered with your friends and family or as personal as sharing a story about how organ donation has touched your life or the lives of your loved ones. Don’t let another Valentine’s Day come and go in a tide of cellophane, candy hearts, and cheesy cards. This year, get involved in National Donor Day. After all, what better way is there to express the value of love than to give the gift of life?
THE BEST PITCHER OF HIS GENERATION: ROY HALLADAY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PHILLY’S SPORTS LEGENDS FROM 2010-2019
After Roy Halladay’s plane crash was announced in November 2017, Dodgers righty Brandon McCarthy tweeted, “Roy Halladay was your favorite player’s favorite player.” There’s no doubt among MLB’s leading professionals that Roy Halladay deserved a World Series win. MLB journalists describe him as the best pitcher of his generation.
Draft Into the Philadelphia Phillies (2010-2013) Halladay had been on the Toronto Blue Jays for 11 years before joining the Phillies. Although he received recognition for his incredible pitching throughout his career, he was ready to win a World Cup. While they didn’t win the World Series, the MLB 2010 season turned out to be the best in his career. Making history, on Sept. 21, 2010, Halladay was the first pitcher in major league history to throw a perfect game and another no- hitter in the same calendar year. He had a 2.44 ERA and became the first Phillies pitcher to win over 20 games in a season since
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REBUILDING CREDIT
STEPS TO TAKE AFTER BANKRUPTCY
One of the hardest hurdles to overcome after bankruptcy is reestablishing your credit. Building up a good score takes time and effort, but getting by in the interim can leave you extremely financially constrained. So, here are some best practices to revitalize your credit. Remain Current Before you worry about seeking out new loans, it’s best to focus on any existing ones. Keeping current with home and car loans post-bankruptcy can be a huge step in proving your financial solvency and building credit. Keep up with utility bills, reaffirmed prebankruptcy debts, and rent, as well. Once you can reliably meet all these financial obligations, it’s time to start making some additions. Open Accounts Something as simple as opening a checking or savings account may seem inconsequential, but it’s a key indicator that many lenders use to determine your financial responsibility. Applying for store and gas credit cards can be a great strategy as well. Using these for simple errands and paying them off in a timely manner is a great way to ensure you’re building credit. It’s also a good idea to apply for a secured credit card after filing for use on general purchases.
Check Their Homework No one would describe the likes of Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion as being perfect. Credit agencies are as prone to false assumptions and mistakes as any other organization, so it’s important to ensure they have the right numbers. Writing a letter to these organizations explaining the circumstances of your bankruptcy can help repair some of the damage. You should also regularly check your credit report to ensure it is accurate, and if not, see that they correct it. Like dieting and exercise, building healthy credit takes time and discipline, but it’s far from impossible. Bankruptcy can buy you the space you need to make this fresh start and set off down the road to having a truly great score.
SUDOKU
VEGAN BANANA PANCAKES
INGREDIENTS •
1 1/2 cups flour
• • • •
2 tbsp maple syrup
• • • •
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 extra ripe bananas, mashed
Cooking spray
1 cup soy milk
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk bananas, soy milk, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla together. 3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir. Don’t overmix. Lumps are okay. 4. Spray a heated pancake griddle with cooking spray, and scoop 1/4 cup of the mixture onto the griddle. Repeat until the griddle is filled. 5. After 3 minutes or when bubbles appear, flip each pancake. 6. After each pancake has risen to double its initial height, remove from griddle. Repeat as necessary until batter is gone. 7. Serve with your favorite toppings!
Inspired by My Darling Vegan
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11 CONVENIENT OFFICE LOCATIONS
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YOUNG, MARR & ASSOCIATES, LLC 3554 HULMEVILLE ROAD, SUITE 102 BENSALEM, PA 19020
PENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA BENSALEM
NEW JERSEY Cinnaminson HAMILTON TWP. MARLTON PISCATAWAY
QUAKERTOWN BALA CYNWYD EASTON JENKINTOWN ALLENTOWN
YOUNGMARRLAW.COM PA: 215-883-8532 NJ: 609-796-9852
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 Legal ‘Groundhog Day’ 2 Give the Gift of Life
Roy Halladay’s Influence on Philly Baseball 3 Building Credit After Bankruptcy Vegan Banana Pancakes 4 A Cheesy Myth About the Moon
THE MOON ISN’T MADE OF CHEESE?
THE STORY BEHIND THE MYTH
We’ve all heard the silly statement before: “The moon is made of cheese!” Although we may not fall for it as adults, when we were children, our eyes twinkled with possibility as we gazed up at the full moon and wondered if it really could be made of cheese. While science says no, it’s still an entertaining phrase that holds a valuable lesson for adults and children alike. The motif first appeared in folklore during the High Middle Ages as a proverb invented by a French rabbi. The full phrase is actually “The moon is made of green cheese,” and serves to warn against the dangers of credulity, or the willingness to believe in things that aren’t based on reasonable proof or knowledge. The simplest version of the phrase’s origin tells of a cunning fox that advised a starving wolf to search for food among humans. The wolf listened, and he was attacked by the humans. The wolf escaped, and in his fury, he attempted to kill the fox. To save himself, the fox promised the wolf that he’d show him the location of an abundant food supply. That night, under the light of a full moon, the fox led the wolf to a well and pointed to the reflection of the full moon on the water’s surface deep in the
well, claiming it was cheese. The hungry wolf jumped into the well to eat the cheese, forever trapping himself. Thus, the fox successfully escaped the wolf’s wrath. As with any ancient proverb, variations of the story have developed over time, but its message has remained the same: Don’t believe everything you’re told. In today’s world of oversaturated information and advice, this is a valuable tip to follow, no matter what age you are.
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