Beck & Beck - May 2023

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May 2023

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MIND THE MOTORCYCLISTS THIS MAY Ways to Safely Share the Road

• Always obtain a motorcycle license because this will give you the knowledge you need to stay safe. Of all the fatal motorcycle crashes in 2020, 36% of riders had no valid license. • Inspect your bike’s tire pressure, brakes, fluid levels, headlight, and sign indicators before riding. • You must wear a helmet that meets the U.S. DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. • Wear bright visible clothing that’s also protective, like leather or thick denim. Keep arms and legs covered. Wear shoes that cover ankles and gloves that can keep your grip tight while also protecting your hands. In addition to these important safety cautions, you should always abide by all traffic laws and never get on your motorcycle after consuming alcohol. If you don’t ride a motorcycle, you are still responsible for treating motorcyclists just like you would other drivers. You must understand that these riders face unique challenges on the road, making them more vulnerable. Their smaller size and visibility can make them harder to see than other cars and lead to dangerous collisions. Keeping an eye out for motorcyclists can help prevent a wreck, especially when making turns or changing lanes. Here are a few driving rules you should begin to employ as soon as possible: • Give ample space to motorcyclists. Provide an entire lane between you and the rider to keep a safe distance when passing them. • When you see a motorcycle, stay attentive to your surroundings. • Always check your blind spot before changing lanes, as you may not be able to see a motorcyclist at a glance. Since we all share the road, we should always be attentive to the safety of others on the road. Whether you’re a driver or motorcyclist, you can take extra precautions to prevent a crash that could end someone’s life. This Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, you can practice safe driving and share these helpful tips with friends and family. I know I will. If you or someone you know is involved in a motorcycle accident, call our expert team at Beck & Beck Attorneys for assistance. We’re here to help.

No one can deny the thrill of riding a motorcycle and the carefree feeling of riding in the open air. Yet, the same can also go for the well-known dangers of these two-wheelers. No one should tell you not to ride a motorcycle, including me. That’s why I want to take this time to promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Every May, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month aims to keep roads safe for everyone by promoting reminders for both motorcyclists and other drivers. Before I dive into the rules of the motorcycle-sharing road, let’s face the dangerous reality motorcyclists face. In my line of work, I’ve seen the disastrous aftermath of motorcycle accidents firsthand. Motorcyclists are more likely to experience injuries and even death when they find themselves in a car accident. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) declared in 2020 that motorcyclists were nearly 28 times more likely than car riders to be killed in a motor vehicle crash. These motorcyclists were also four times more likely to experience injuries. In the year 2020 alone, 5,579 motorcyclists died. Motorcyclists continue to be a significant demographic involved in severe vehicle accidents. Frequently, alcohol use is a common characteristic in these accidents. Of the 5,579 motorcyclists killed in 2020, 27% were under the influence. Other risk factors include riders without a license and wearing helmets that don’t meet the U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards. If you’re a motorcyclist, some essential safety suggestions that can save your life include the following: • Practice operating your motorcycle in an isolated area before hitting the road. This is crucial if you are riding a new or unfamiliar bike. REFERRALS WELCOME Thank you for referring clients to us over the years. You will never be

embarrassed by a referral to our office. We’re always available to lend a helping hand to anyone with any legal need. Just give us a call at (314) 961-5678 or visit us at BeckLawMO.com .

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Four Steps To Happy, Healthy Aging It’s Never Too Late to Take Charge

Fuel your body. Nutrition plays a pivotal role in your health and quality of life. Center your diet around fruits, veggies, lean meats, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy. Limit the frequency of eating processed foods, fatty meats, and sugar. Following these guidelines reduces your risk of many illnesses and sets you up for a more active lifestyle in your golden years. Stay social. Loneliness has been linked to declining physical health and concerns. Those who do not engage in social activities tend to battle dementia and Alzheimer’s more than those who interact with others and form relationships. To maintain your physical and mental health, get out and mingle! Take your vitamins and supplements. As a child, you likely remember your mother reminding you to take your

Aging can bring some of our most exciting and rewarding decades. After years of working and saving a nest egg, we can finally retire. Many of us welcome grandchildren into the world, and we have more time to travel to some of the most beautiful destinations on the planet. These are just a few reasons our health is our most prized possession as we age! Here are some tips to stay healthy and active as you grow older and wiser. Check in frequently. Keeping up with your health is much more than seeing your doctor whenever you feel under the weather and remembering to take prescribed medications. It’s essential to have regular checkups and screenings for health conditions and diseases. After all, it’s always better to catch something early than to find it too late.

vitamins. Now, it’s time to really listen. While it’s always better to get your essential vitamins and minerals from the foods you consume, sometimes, that can be tough. Be sure to talk to a trusted health professional about taking additional calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 to keep your body operating at its optimal potential. Your body has been along for the ride your entire life. With many more wonderful years ahead of you, take care of it so it can continue to care for you!

Can You Identify the Red Flags?

3 Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

necessary medical treatment, they are likely victims of neglect, intentional or unintentional. Financial Abuse The unauthorized and illegal use of an elderly individual’s funds, assets, or resources is financial abuse. Signs that an older person is being financially abused may include evidence of unpaid bills, eviction notices, patterns of missing items, canceled checks, or someone taking an increasingly intense interest in the spending habits of a person over the age of 65. Physical Abuse While physical elder abuse is more common in nursing homes, it can occur at home by family members or loved ones. If an aging adult is enduring physical abuse, there may be evidence of burns, bruises, broken bones, cuts, scrapes, sprains, or head injuries. They may experience hospitalization patterns for repeat injuries, delays in care and treatment, or multiple trips to the emergency room. Our advancing world brings education for elder abuse prevention, but unfortunately, it also provides avenues for others to exploit aging adults. To protect yourself and those you love, know the signs and be observant!

Everyone becomes increasingly vulnerable — both socially and financially — as they age. As technology evolves and new tools become available, more channels open for the elderly or those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to be exploited by strangers, family, or friends.

Whether you are the caregiver for your parent, sibling, friend, or neighbor, or you want to ensure you are protected as you

age, consider these three most common forms of elder abuse. Neglect

Aging sometimes means that we cannot care for ourselves as well as we once did, and we must rely on others to step in and lend a hand. However, when a caregiver fails to provide essential care or protect an elderly individual from harm, they can be charged with neglect.

If an aging individual is malnourished, dehydrated, suffering from an infection, living in unsafe conditions, or not receiving

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TAKE A BREAK

PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN The First African American Supreme Court Justice

Blossom Derby

Emerald Fertilize Gemini Horse Lightsaber

​Thurgood Marshall was the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court and was a powerful attorney, but did you know Thurgood wasn’t always his first name or that he held a second job while practicing law? Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing facts about this amazing lawyer! The Reason Behind the Name Change On July 2, 1908, Thoroughgood Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland. As a young child, friends often teased him about his long name — not to mention it was difficult to write and spell out! When he was just 6 years old, he had his name changed to Thurgood. Thurgood, a Dentist? When Marshall was attending Lincoln University, he first aspired to be a dentist but went on to receive his degree in literature and philosophy. Then, he attended law school at Howard University. Law by Day, Health Care by Night Early in his legal career, times were tough. So, Marshall took a second job working at Baltimore Health Clinic at night to make ends meet. Even while working large cases, he continued to put in long hours at the clinic. Fighting for Equal Pay Thurgood Marshall’s mom was an African American teacher, and while he attended Lincoln University for undergrad, she struggled to pay the hefty tuition. It wasn’t uncommon for his family to be late on making payments to keep him enrolled. Once he graduated law school, Marshall began seeking equal pay for African American teachers, and six years later, he won a big case that got rid of unequal teacher pay. Not Only Civil Rights Cases While Marshall is commonly recognized for monumental civil rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education , which went on to shape our society, he also took on many other police brutality, death penalty, and women’s rights cases.

Mother Nature Parade Seedling Veterans

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com GINGER PORK STIR-FRY

Looking for a healthy stir-fry that has all of the delicious flavors and none of the heavy ingredients? This one might be perfect for you!

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, sliced • 1/4 lb fresh snow peas • 1/2 sweet red pepper, julienned • Cooked rice • Green onion, chopped (optional) • Sesame seeds (optional)

• 1 tbsp cornstarch • 1 cup orange juice • 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp ground ginger • 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips • 2 tbsp canola oil

Directions

1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until smooth; set aside. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry pork in oil until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork and add onion, peas, and red pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Stir in orange juice mixture and pork. Bring to a boil, and then cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

It’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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Safeguard Your Health Into Your Golden Years Know the Signs of Elder Abuse

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Ginger Pork Stir-Fry Why Thurgood Marshall Rules

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4-Legged Friends Who Benefit Our Health

Companionship, Exercise, and Purpose! The Healing Power of Pets:

In fact, studies have shown that caring for a pet helps relieve anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression. It even boosts your heart health! The best part is that it doesn’t matter what kind of pet you have — feathered friends, rabbits, and even snakes can be great companions! Here are some of the top benefits of bonding with your pet daily. They provide companionship. Let’s be honest: Nothing beats having a four-legged friend greet you at the front door every time you come home! That companionship bond can boost your immune system while reducing depression. Also, having a buddy can help you to feel needed, wanted, and valued. Many pet owners even talk to their animals! They encourage exercise. Especially if you have a dog, your pet is sure to keep you active. Canines crave exercise, so while you meet their movement requirements to stay happy and healthy, you also get in your daily steps! Likewise, keeping

a cat active requires your energy behind a laser pointer, feather wand, or other toys.

Four-legged companions are cute, cuddly, and friendly and work wonders for our mental health and well-being! It makes sense, then, that the first week of May is National Pet Week, part of Mental Health Month. According to the Human and Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), pet ownership improves the mental health of 74% of pet owners.

They reduce anxiety. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, petting a dog helps lower cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress. Pets live without concern for yesterday or tomorrow. They only care about the here and now, which helps their owners feel calm and relaxed. Also, petting and holding an animal allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature, which can be soothing. They add structure and purpose. Pets are creatures of habit — they like to be fed around the same time each day, go on their morning or evening walks, and look forward to playtime. No matter how badly you’d like to stay on the couch, your pet will get you up and moving. A pet’s unconditional love certainly does more than just keep you company! Our pets can genuinely be little lifesavers!

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