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THE ADVISOR
SEPTE
MBER/
OCTOB
ER 202
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INSPIRATION HELPS US ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS AND GET THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES
Whenever the fall season begins, I immediately start thinking about football. It was a big part of my youth. I grew up with a very close-knit group of friends, and we’ve known each other for 38 years now. We all went to the same high school where we played football together. Football is like a religion throughout the state of Ohio. When Friday night rolls around, every city shuts down and the community heads to their local high school to watch their team play. It’s a fantastic tradition I remember fondly. My high school football coach taught me quite a few lessons about football and life. He was a 34-year-old named Dan Yeagley, and we were his very first team. He was also the school’s calculus teacher. We had a phenomenal year during my senior season. We went undefeated and were ranked fourth in the state. We went much further than any other team from our school had gone before. It was a big deal! Coach Yeagley has since retired as a teacher but is still going strong as a coach. He was recently elected to the 2023 Hall of Fame Class of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association. He’s had a legendary career, and he’s still teaching young kids to become better people. What’s amazing to me is that he’s continued to stay in contact with me and my close friends. He invites us to come back and visit with him and the team often, which is what my friends and I did for Labor Day weekend. We flew back to Ohio, rented a bus, and drove to their game in Canton, OH, where Coach Yeagley was recognized for his achievements.
Going through that football program taught me a lot about the importance of ongoing relationships and how they can help you get through difficult times. I played all sorts of sports growing up, but football was always the hardest because I was smaller. It took a lot of self-discipline and courage to compete with others, and Coach Yeagley is responsible for improving my confidence. He taught me how to look ahead when things become difficult. Football didn’t come easy to me as a kid, but through hard work and discipline, I became one of three captains on the team, and I still hold some school records to this day. I’m thankful to Coach Yeagley and my friends for encouraging me to stick with it. Having a source of encouragement is important in all aspects of life, not just football. For example, we’ve seen plenty of Social Security cases taking much longer than they ever have before. Some cases that should have been approved in six months are taking up to 18. This has been so discouraging for many of our clients. Likewise, you may want to give up on something, but that’s when you have to be at your strongest. Just like Coach Yeagley, we’re here to support and help you out in any way we can. Remember you will get there but it might be harder than other things you’ve experienced. Stick with it and come to us whenever you need support or help.
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Hartwig Law Firm | (508) 732-8989
NEVER A DULL MOMENT WHY WE SHOULD LIVE FOR TODAY
We can’t change the past, nor can we predict or guarantee the future. In the end, all we have is the present, yet most of us live our lives ignoring its many possibilities. It’s easy to tune out the life around you, especially if you do many of the same things every day. Taking care of the kids, commuting, working, and running errands can blur together. Just as bad, when life isn’t going the way we want, it’s easy to fantasize about how things “should” be or how they once were. When we live busy or stressful lives, worrying or planning can also make us feel more in control. The problem with these strategies is that they don’t change anything. They help us discount the only thing we can control: what we do now. Life can pass you by that way if you’re not careful. The solution is to exist in the present moment as much as possible and enjoy the good things around us while we have them. Studies show that living this way makes people happier, healthier, and more likely to form strong relationships. But how do you even get started? The process requires a different way of thinking called mindfulness. Mindfulness is about focusing on what is happening in the present moment — not that work deadline,
the movie you just watched, what’s for dinner, or the kids’ extracurricular schedule. It takes practice, and many people use meditation or breathing to help. When mindful, we concentrate on what others say and become more fully present. We also start to notice the small things we usually overlook: the cool breeze on our skin, the sound of the birds, the feel of a sweater, or the sight of our loved ones smiling. Our lives become fuller. And our stress decreases because we’re not clinging to things beyond our command.
No one ever stops worrying entirely, and some planning is necessary to live a successful life. But too much can leave us with no energy or time to enjoy it. John Lennon once sang, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Start living in the present so you don’t blink and miss yours.
Documents You’ll Need For a Social Security Disability Application
If your application is denied, the reconsideration process may take as long as six months. Sometimes it can take even longer, and lately, that seems to be the case. This translates into thousands of dollars in missed benefits and could result in financial hardship for your family. The SSA requires that original documents be submitted with your application for benefits. You may take them to the local SSA office or mail them in with your application. Once received, the SSA will copy the documents and return the originals to you.
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List of employers and the type of work you did — typically for the last 15 years W-2 forms for the last 10 years or tax returns if you were self-employed Names, addresses, and phone numbers for all doctors, hospitals, therapists, clinics, etc. you have visited and the dates of all visits Complete medical records, including laboratory and test results List of all medications you are currently taking and the dosage of each Adult Disability Report (Form SSA-3368)
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Social Security Disability applications are denied for many reasons, but one of the most common is a lack of supporting documentation. We see this time and time again. That’s why you need to make sure your initial application is as complete as possible. We understand the application process is quite time-consuming, but failing to get everything together for the Social Security Administration (SSA) is one of the main reasons so many applications are denied.
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The information you provide will be reviewed by the Disability Determination Services department and discussed at your disability application interview. If you have any questions about the process or are in need of assistance, please give our office a call. We’re here to help!
Here is a list of the original documents required with your application:
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Proof of age (i.e., birth certificate) and Social Security Number
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Hartwig Law Firm | (508) 732-8989
Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto
Nothing highlights fall quite like pumpkin-inspired dishes. Grab your blankets, turn on your favorite movie, and enjoy a delicious meal.
INGREDIENTS
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5 cups of low- sodium chicken or vegetable broth 2 cups Arborio rice
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Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tbsp mascarpone cheese
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2 cups of pumpkin, diced
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1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin purée
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1/2 yellow onion, minced
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2 tbsp olive oil
DIRECTIONS
At Hartwig Law Firm, we want nothing more than to help our clients with whatever they need. We have assisted many people over the years and will continue for as long as we can, all thanks to the amazing team here. We’re constantly growing, and one team member who joined us recently continues to amaze us: Allison, one of our legal assistants. Allison joined our team this past spring after working in a medical office. Before that, Allison worked for a small family-owned car dealership. There, Allison’s passion for cars flourished. That passion remains today, and she never misses an opportunity to visit an auto show or museum, especially if Volkswagens are involved. Allison first became interested in the legal field when she was young. She essentially grew up in the law office where her mom worked. That environment stayed with her, and when the time was right, she decided to apply and come work in a law firm herself. Since she’s been working with us, Allison has continued to go above and beyond for our clients. She knows our clients are already going through enough without the added stress of figuring out Social Security benefits. She wants to help relieve them of some of that stress. She’s kind, patient, and always available to help our clients. Allison also went through the exciting experience of adult adoption recently. She’s now the proud mother of a beautiful, smart daughter and grandmother to a handsome, fun 1 1/2-year-old grandson. They have plenty of fun days ahead of them! Our Amazing Legal Assistant Get to Know Allison
1. Heat the oven to 400 F and arrange a rack in the middle. 2. In a 3-quart baking dish, combine broth, rice, diced and puréed pumpkin, and onion. 3. Season with salt and pepper, then stir until evenly combined. 4. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake until water has been absorbed and rice granules are puffed. 5. Remove from the oven and stir in basil, grated Parmesan cheese, mascarpone cheese, and olive oil.
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Answer on Page 4
We’re so excited to have Allison on the team and look forward to working with her for years to come!
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Hartwig Law Firm | (508) 732-8989
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
385 Court St., Suite 210 Plymouth, MA 02360 (508) 732-8989 www.HartwigLawFirm.com
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The Power of Inspiration
SHARE YOUR STORY! Do you want to share a story about your disability claim, experience with Hartwig Law Firm, or just a funny story in general? Contact Andrea at (508) 732-8989 or via email at Patrick@HartwigLawFirm.com, and you could be featured in our next newsletter!
Taking Each Moment as It Comes
Documents Needed for a Social Security Disability Application
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Learn More About Our Legal Assistant, Allison
Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto
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3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions Guaranteed to Spook
Get Out of the (Haunted) House With These 3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions
Halloween is just around the corner. You’ll soon have trick-or-treaters approaching your door requesting a healthy share of candy. Before then, you may want to go out and feel the thrills of the season yourself, but maybe you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy the cramped spaces of haunted houses. You don’t have to step indoors to experience a spooky attraction though. There are plenty of outdoor Halloween attractions to check out, and below are three of the most thrilling.
involved. You’ll step aboard a bus or trailer outfitted with paintball guns and proceed along a course full of zombies and creatures. Before long, your friends and family will get into the competitive spirit to see who can hit the most targets. Haunted Corn Maze Haunted houses are great if you’re trying to experience some jump scares. But if you want to get the haunted house experience in an outdoor setting, you should check out a haunted corn maze. You’ll hear screams coming from all around to help amp up the fear. It’s also a great way to get some exercise! Haunted Hayride So, what if you want the best of both worlds? You may want to feel scared without walking through a maze or using a paintball gun. That’s where haunted hayrides come in. On a haunted hayride, you’ll hop aboard a platform that’s being towed by a tractor or truck as they take you through a dark forest and possibly some barns. Performers will be woven throughout to provide scares at the perfect
Zombie Paintball We’ve all watched a scary movie and thought we could do better than some of the characters in these extreme situations. Now is your chance to prove it.
There are zombie paintball courses throughout the country, and they can be a great time for everyone
moments. It’s a great way to get the classic Halloween experience without having to walk through a house or maze.
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Hartwig Law Firm | (508) 732-8989
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