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The Disability DIGEST
JoelThrift.com 404-618-4816
September 2025
LIFE AFTER THE GAME
The Power of a Second Act
College football season is back, and for a lot of us in the South, that means Saturdays filled with games, good food, and maybe a little yelling at the TV. For me, that means cheering for my alma mater, Notre Dame. I didn’t grow up a Notre Dame fan. I became one by default after spending three years and a lot of tuition money going there for law school. But once you’re on that campus — once you learn the history — it sticks. You stop seeing them as just another team and start noticing the names and stories that shaped the place. One of those names for me was Alan Page. Page played for Notre Dame in the 1960s and went on to become a Hall of Fame defensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings. But what really caught my attention wasn’t what he did on the field. It was what he did after. While still playing in the NFL, he went to law school. And when he retired from the game, he didn’t chase sponsorships or a job behind the microphone. He became Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
That’s a rare path. Most people would be proud to succeed in one field. Page managed two, but what I admire most isn’t his list of accomplishments. It’s that he kept finding something to show up for. He didn’t let his best years get stuck in the rearview. This idea hits home more the longer I practice. I’ve worked with many clients whose lives have been turned upside down. One day, they’re working, providing, and moving through life on their own terms. The next, they’re dealing with a disability that changes everything. There’s pain, of course, but also grief. It’s grief not just for the job but also for the rhythm and routine that came with it. Some people think disability claims are about money. And sure, they are to a point, but nobody wants to be disabled and unable to work. Most people I meet are looking for something to hold on to. They want something that makes them feel like they still matter. I’ve had clients talk about their old jobs with the kind of pride you’d expect from someone who won an award. They weren’t always glamorous roles, but they were theirs. Identity loss like that can take the wind out of anyone. And no, not everyone can bounce back with a second act as impressive as Alan Page’s, but that’s not really the point. The real takeaway is that there’s still something worth doing on the other side of change. I remind myself of that, too. I like my work, and I plan to keep doing it for a while, but I also know this won’t be the only thing I ever do. When I eventually step away, I hope I can find something that keeps me learning, moving, and thinking. Because that’s what it’s really all about. The second act doesn’t have to be flashy or heroic. It just has to be meaningful. If you can find a way to stay useful and curious, you’re already ahead of the game.
–Joel Thrift
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When a Gift Becomes a Crime
SNYDER V. UNITED STATES EXPLAINED
When does a gift cross the line into a crime? That’s the question the U.S. Supreme Court tackled in Snyder v. United States , a decision that could reshape how we think about corruption in state and local government. The ruling narrows the scope of federal law used to prosecute public officials by making a key distinction between a bribe and a gratuity. The Facts of the Snyder Case The case centered on James Snyder, the former mayor of Portage, Indiana. While in office, Snyder steered city contracts for garbage trucks to a local company. After
public officials to take a bribe that influences an official act. That much is clear. But what about gifts that come after a deal is done? According to the Court, accepting those is not a crime. Writing for the majority, Justice Kavanaugh put it plainly in saying that § 666 is about corrupt deals — quid pro quo — not the small “tokens of appreciation” that sometimes follow an official act. Drawing the line differently, he warned, could have unfair implications for state and local officials nationwide. The Court’s decision also flagged federal overreach. The majority said regulating gifts and gratuities is not the federal government’s business but a job for state and local governments. Impact of the Snyder Decision The Snyder ruling is the latest in a series of decisions going back to 2000 that limit the reach of federal anti-corruption laws. It also leaves questions about who will step in to fill the gap. If federal prosecutors can’t go after public officials for gifts given after the fact, it’s now up to state and local officials to handle those situations. Local and state laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and may not always be as strong or clear.
the deals were done, he accepted a $13,000 payment from that same company. Federal prosecutors argued the payment was an illegal gratuity under 18 U.S.C.
§ 666, a law that bars state and local officials from taking payments in connection with their legal duties. Snyder’s defense was simple: There was no prior agreement. The payment came after the fact, with no strings attached.
But the government saw it differently, and a jury
Does this ruling open the door to more “thank you” payments to government officials? Maybe. But for now, Snyder makes one thing clear: The line is drawn at bribes. Everything else is a matter for the states to figure out.
convicted him. That conviction, though, didn’t stand for long. The Scope of § 666 The Supreme Court’s decision came
down to when a gift becomes a crime. The law at the heart of the case makes it illegal for
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TAKE A BREAK
How Retirees Are Redefining Work
Apples Aster Coffee Constitution Foliage Grandparents Labor Lunchbox Pirate Sapphire Virgo Waffles
What are you planning for your retirement? If you’re like many people, your plans likely look different from those of retirees a few decades ago. Retirement used to mean slowing down, and it still does. However, many retirees now choose to continue working through a side hustle. The flexibility of a side hustle makes it perfect for those in retirement. And it’s a great way to earn extra income for unexpected living expenses. Today, a variety of side gigs offer flexible hours or the chance to work from home. A retired teacher might start remote tutoring, and someone who spent years in a corporate office could find work as a part-time consultant. Others find a way to turn a hobby into something more, like selling homemade crafts or working as a freelance writer. Rideshare and food delivery apps are also great options and don’t require any experience to get started. Money is a big draw, but many retirees find that a side hustle has other benefits. Working part- time can add structure to your day and allow you to meet new people. It can also help you stay mentally sharp and give you a sense of purpose after the structure of a full-time job fades away. Another great thing about working this way is that you can do it on your terms. It can be as simple as helping out a few hours a week or offering services during the busy season. What matters is finding something that feels rewarding. If retirement is a new chapter, a side hustle can be a plot twist that keeps things interesting. Finding Purpose Through a Side Hustle
CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
Ingredients
• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more • 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced • 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, chives, or green onions for garnish
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss cauliflower with 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer, sprinkle with a little salt, and bake 25–35 minutes until tender. 4. In a soup pot, warm remaining olive oil and cook onion and 1/4 tsp salt until soft. 5. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add broth. 6. Add all but 4 cauliflower florets to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. 7. Transfer mixture to a blender, add butter, and blend until smooth. Then blend in lemon juice and nutmeg. 8. Garnish with cauliflower florets and serve. Add parsley, onion, and chives as desired.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
When the Game Plan Changes
1
New Lines Drawn in Corruption Law
2
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
3
Why Side Hustles Are a Hit for Retirees
The War Over a Wooden Bucket
4
WHEN A BUCKET SPARKED A WAR
If you’ve spent any time studying history, you know it is full of strange moments. But did you know a war was once fought over a wooden bucket? It might sound like something straight out of a cartoon, but it’s an actual story from history. In the 14th century, two Italian city-states — Modena and Bologna — found themselves in a heated feud. Tensions had been brewing between the two for years, but one act sent them over the edge. That tipping point? A bucket. According to legend, Modenese soldiers snuck into Bologna and swiped an oaken bucket from the town well. Bologna wanted it back, but Modena wouldn’t budge. The outraged Bolognese responded with all-out war. If you think this sounds too absurd to be true, you’re not alone. Of course, the bucket wasn’t really the issue. The groundwork for the War of the Bucket was
laid more than 200 years before the actual battle. Still, the bucket story is true. And yes, they fought a war. The outnumbered Modenese were the victors, and the conflict claimed the lives of around 2,000 men from both sides. What historians still don’t know for sure, though, is whether the bucket was taken before the battle or afterward as a trophy, but Modena still has it to this day. If you ever visit the city, you can see it on display in Modena’s town hall, where it sits as a reminder that even small things can spark big events.
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