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How an Icy February Morning Taught Me About Love and Life A Slippery Start, a Strong Finish Jan. 26 is Spouses’ Day, so now feels like the perfect opportunity to share a story that still makes me smile. I first met my wife, Liza, in the middle of a Boston winter during my second semester at Northeastern University School of Law. The city was slick with ice, and the morning air bit at my face as I walked to class. That’s when fate stepped in. Liza had already taken a tumble and skinned her knee on the icy sidewalk. When our mutual friend introduced us, I remember thinking, “She’s bleeding through her jeans, it’s 7:45 a.m., it’s freezing cold, and she’s still headed to class? This girl is fearless.” Her determination, mixed with a quick wit and sunny disposition despite the obstacles she faced, instantly drew me in. That day, I claimed I’d forgotten my textbook just to sit next to her. Within a week or two, I finally worked up the courage to ask her out, and that icy morning became the start of something extraordinary. From that first encounter, our lives intertwined. We graduated from law school, got engaged the same week, and married a year later. We now celebrate nearly 18 years together with three wonderful children. Life hasn’t always been smooth, but the challenges taught us a powerful lesson: the strength in embracing differences. Liza and I each bring our own strengths and weaknesses to the table, and over time, we’ve learned to complement each other rather than compete. We don’t keep score; we focus on the positives, leaning on one another to navigate the inevitable bumps in the road. This perspective carries over into my work as a Social Security disability attorney. Every client I meet is navigating complex challenges, and each case presents its own unique hurdles. I’ve learned to look for the strengths in every situation, whether in the evidence, the support network, or
the client’s own resilience. By emphasizing those strengths, rather than dwelling on limitations, we create momentum, find solutions, and build trust. Just like in a marriage, collaboration, patience, and understanding make all the difference. Whether with family, friends, or strangers, celebrating differences and highlighting strengths builds synergy, trust, and understanding. Ultimately, that’s the basis of teamwork: seeing the good in others, complementing each other’s strengths, and lifting one another through challenges. These things are just as vital in the courtroom, the office, and in every meaningful relationship. It’s a simple yet profound reminder that growth, support, and compassion make all the difference in love and life. As I look back on how it all began, that cold, icy morning in Boston feels like a perfect metaphor for life and love. Sometimes you stumble, sometimes things seem difficult, and sometimes you bleed a little, but
if you approach every day with courage, humor, and an open heart, you’ll be surprised by what you’ll find along the way. That’s the story of Liza and me, and it’s a reminder that even the most unexpected beginnings can blossom into a lifetime of love, teamwork, and resilience.
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THE GOLDEN GAME PLAN A Stronger Focus on Frugal Finances
As you prepare for retirement, it’s never a bad idea to critically examine your current expenses and determine which costs you should keep or discard as your income changes. Here are three thoughts on streamlining your budget for greater security in your senior years. A Redundant Risk Evaluation When raising families, we implement ways to ensure financial security if unexpected circumstances affect a breadwinner’s income. Expenses like disability and life insurance may have been critical costs in years past, but perhaps you’re at a point where these policies could be reconsidered. If you’re approaching retirement and your children are grown and out of the house, you may no longer need to cover yourself in the event of a disability. Additionally, a life insurance payout for your family may not be as critical now as it would have been if you had passed away when your kids were younger. Simple Suppers That Save Cents A food budget should be based on what you throw out, not what you eat. It may surprise you that the average American family tosses $1,600 in produce annually! Although you’ll likely have fewer mouths to feed as you age, the likelihood of at least some of your groceries ending up in the
garbage can is still high. Planning your meals in advance and purchasing only the necessary items to prepare them is one way to reduce
unnecessary food spending, especially as the likelihood of sticker shock at the supermarket seems high in the new year.
Midweek Moments of Meaning One of the beautiful things about reaching an age when you’re done raising young children is that you’re no longer beholden to schedules that accommodate their needs first. Gone are the days of waiting for summer or holidays, which are among the priciest times of the year to travel, to take a vacation. With more flexibility in your daily schedule, you can now plan trips in a more budget-conscious way. Flights and accommodations often cost less during weekdays or in the spring and fall, and you can save even more by taking advantage of AARP discounts where available.
SEDENTARY WORK ISN’T ‘EASY WORK’ FOR EVERYONE PROVING YOUR LIMITS TO SSA
Building a Strong Case To build the strongest case possible, you need to provide documentation that details your physical or mental limitations. You should collect treatment notes of your symptoms, treatment, and struggles observed during your examinations. Additionally, you will need any medical imaging, lab results, or X-rays that show concrete evidence of your conditions and the work challenges they present. Partnering With Your Providers Working closely with your health care provider is essential as you develop evidence for your claim. Make sure you attend all your regular medical appointments and follow your treatment plan. You must be honest and open about your symptoms with your doctor so they have the whole picture. You can also receive residual functional capacity assessments that will test your ability to perform work-related tasks, such as lifting, standing, or sitting. We’re Here to Help Applying for SSDI can feel overwhelming, but documenting the limitations that prevent you from working a desk job will help ensure your daily struggles are recognized and understood. Our experienced team at Keefe Disability Law is here to guide you through the process.
Sitting at a desk isn’t as easy as it may sound when you live with chronic pain, fatigue, or other health limitations. Even sedentary jobs can feel impossible when your body and mind won’t cooperate. If you’re applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), showing that you have limitations that prevent you from light or desk-based jobs is crucial. Understanding Sedentary Work The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines sedentary work as a job that is mostly seated, where you lift no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally carry smaller items. As part of its evaluation, SSA will also assess your ability to concentrate, follow instructions, focus, and pace yourself. Acknowledging Health Barriers to Desk Work Chronic pain and mobility issues, such as neck problems or joint conditions, can make hours of sitting difficult or even cause additional painful symptoms. If you have arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or any other condition that affects your fine motor skills, it can limit your ability to perform common work tasks, like typing. Your mental health can make it hard to focus on tasks, meet deadlines, or handle workplace interactions.
• 1-800-776-2929 • KeefeLaw.com
Empowering Our Clients Through Every Step Nicole Farrell’s Evolution as a Case Manager and Paralegal
Korean Ground Beef
INGREDIENTS Sauce • 1/4 cup reduced- sodium soy sauce
Stir Fry •
2 tbsp avocado oil
• • •
1 lb lean ground beef, 85/15 1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced 1 tbsp fresh ginger root, minced
•
1 tbsp honey, or a liquid sugar-free sweetener 1 tsp cornstarch 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Finishing Touches •
• •
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
•
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. 2. In a large skillet, heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as you cook, about 5 minutes. 3. Drain the beef and return it to the skillet. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 4. Stir sauce into the beef, then cook for 2 more minutes, until heated through and the sauce thickens. 5. Off heat, drizzle the dish with sesame oil, sprinkle with sliced green onions, and serve over white rice (if desired).
At Keefe Disability Law, we’re fortunate to work alongside people whose dedication lifts
others every single day, and Nicole Farrell is one of those extraordinary people. This September marked her two-year anniversary as a Case Manager and Paralegal. In that time, she’s grown from tackling the basics of initial and reconsideration cases to confidently handling complex matters with a calm, steady presence that clients instantly trust. Nicole’s role has evolved in step with her own sense of purpose. As she’s learned, stretched, and taken on more responsibility, she’s also become a source of grounding support for clients navigating some of the most uncertain moments of their lives. She never forgets that a disability claim is more than paperwork; it’s someone’s stability, dignity, and hope. Her favorite part of the job is the connection she builds with every client, guiding them through an overwhelming process with an open heart. She often says it’s humbling and deeply rewarding, and the sincerity in her voice says everything. Outside the office, Nicole has been embarking on her own wellness journey with a newfound appreciation for movement. Pilates, barre, yoga, and spin classes have become her rituals, little celebrations of what her body can do, and reminders not to take mobility for granted. Working closely with clients whose physical limitations dramatically impact their daily lives has reshaped the way she views her own health, turning wellness into gratitude and practice. Looking ahead, Nicole hopes to continue cultivating balance by showing up for herself consistently, staying rooted in her routines, and giving back to the communities that have shaped her. Kindness and empathy have always guided her path, and if you need proof, look no further than her senior year of college, when she completed a 130-mile pilgrimage from Lewiston to Manchester, New Hampshire, to raise funds for nine charities. Eight days, countless steps, and a heart set on helping others: That’s who Nicole is.
Inspired by HealthyRecipesBlogs.com
And that’s exactly why we’re so grateful to have her walking alongside our clients and our firm every day.
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Share Your Story! Do you want to share a story about your disability claim, experience with Keefe Disability Law, or just a funny story in general? Contact Andrea at 1-800-776-2929 or via email at Patrick@KeefeLaw.com, and you could be featured in our next newsletter!
inside this issue 385 Court St., Suite 210 • Plymouth, MA 02360 1-800-776-2929 • KeefeLaw.com
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The Morning I Met My Wife: Lessons on Love, Resilience, and Partnership
Reduce Risks, Reap Rewards
From Daily Struggles to SSDI Evidence
How Our Paralegal Nicole Never Strays From Her Values
Korean Ground Beef
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Rediscover Yourself With Hobbies That Heal, Create, and Inspire
Over the Hill and Loving It HOBBIES THAT HELP YOU PAUSE WITH PURPOSE
Arts & Crafts If you can find an activity that speaks to your artistic side, you’ll gain a new way to express yourself and center your thoughts. The best part of arts and crafts is that there are activities for everyone. You can journal, write short stories, paint awe- inspiring landscapes, knit beautiful pieces
Life is a marathon. For the first few decades of our lives, everything is go-go-go. We constantly look ahead to the next stage of life and wonder what we need to do to reach it, whether it’s finishing high school, earning a college degree, or moving up in our industry. As we settle down and start families, things slow down slightly, but life remains chaotic. Many tire of the hustle culture as they approach that “over the hill” age. They’ll start looking for a quieter lifestyle, ideally as part of their retirement. This way of life calls on us to slow down and shift our habits to align with what matters most. One of the best moves we can make to incorporate this idea of slower living fully is participating in hobbies that allow us time for introspection and reflection.
of clothing, sculpt something from clay, make soap, or even work on your calligraphy.
Baking Those who want to lose
themselves in thought while creating something delicious
Here are three accessible and simple hobbies that allow us to focus on what matters most.
should head to the kitchen. Baking is a great way to create something from nothing while relieving stress, developing patience, and expressing yourself creatively. All you need to get started are a few ingredients, a recipe, and the willingness to bake!
Walking There’s something magical about being outside in nature. Walking is a great way to add extra movement to your day, connect with nature, and refocus your thoughts. While you can walk anywhere, it’s best to get out in the wilderness, where distractions are in short supply.
• 1-800-776-2929 • KeefeLaw.com
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