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HOW MY MOM’S LOVE AND LABOR SHAPED THE PERSON I AM TODAY THE HANDS THAT WORKED, RAISED, AND CARRIED US THROUGH
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about National Working Parents Day on Sept. 16; honestly, it hit me differently this year. Sure, my wife and I juggle our work with raising our three kids, and it isn’t easy. But I keep coming back to my mom and everything she did for our family. So, I want to take a moment to celebrate her. This one’s for my mom. I’m the fourth of five kids, all born in the whirlwind decade between 1970 and 1980. My parents were high school sweethearts from humble, blue- collar families: steelworkers, pipefitters, and hard hats through and through. My dad was the first in either family to head off to college, and my mom worked straight out of high school to help pay the bills while he juggled jobs and classes. Then came a giant leap: my dad’s decision to go to medical school. It meant moving halfway across the country with three little kids in tow. My mom, already a full-time homemaker, packed up her life and supported him without hesitation. She found creative ways to help make ends meet while my dad was in school, like typing papers, babysitting other students’ kids, ironing clothes — anything she could. And, of course,
she kept all of us cared for and the household running, with no family nearby to lean on.
let us feel the weight of it. She was the heart of our family. She never stopped working, never complained, and somehow made us all feel loved and supported. She’s still that way today, at 78, a living example of resilience and devotion. Her story reminds me every day to appreciate those who sacrificed for us and to pay that forward, whether to our families, neighbors, or strangers in need. That’s also why I do what I do as a Social Security Disability attorney. I’ve seen people going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Many are working parents themselves, trying to hold it all together, just like my mom did. They deserve someone who understands, listens, and fights for them.
I was born during that time, right in the middle of all that chaos. I don’t remember it, but looking back now, I realize how remarkable her grit was. Eventually, we moved back to Ohio, and with my younger sister’s arrival, we became a family of seven. My dad had become a doctor, and my mom was still the glue that held everything together. Then, life took another turn. My parents divorced at the end of the ‘80s. Suddenly, my mom, with no formal education beyond high school, had to dive back into the workforce while still raising five kids. She became a home health aide, doing incredibly tough work, bathing elderly patients, cooking, cleaning, and running errands, all while still managing to be at every game, every school event, and every pickup and drop-off. Now, as I raise my own kids and juggle work, I think about what she pulled off, and honestly, I’m still in awe. My wife and I sometimes feel overwhelmed managing three kids, but my mom did it solo with five. And somehow, she never
So, here’s to the working parents, past and present, who show up, sacrifice, and quietly hold their families together. You’re the real heroes.
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EMBRACE AUTUMN THE OLD- FASHIONED WAY Try These Rustic and Cozy Hobbies
handwritten recipe cards. From flaky apple pies to buttery shortbread, baking the old-fashioned way fills your home with delicious aromas and memories to cherish.
Get lost in letter writing. Snail mail might be considered a relic, but there’s something satisfying about sending — and receiving — a handwritten letter. As the pace of life slows with the season, take time to write to a loved one. Share your thoughts, your gratitude, or just say hello. It’s a small gesture that carries a ton of meaning. Forage and craft with nature. Channel your inner homesteader and get outdoors. Fall is a beautiful time to collect colorful leaves, pinecones, or acorns for crafting. Whether you create a rustic wreath, press leaves, or show off your finds in a bowl, nature-based decor is grounding and beautiful. Try your hand at canning. What about preserving a bit of fall flavor for winter? Not only is it rewarding, but you also engage in a useful practice. Canning applesauce, jams, or pickled veggies brings an old-world skill back to life and leaves you with shelves full of delicious, homemade canned goods — yum!
Fall is magical — the crisp air, changing leaves, and shorter days practically beg us to slow down. While modern life is often a blur of screens and schedules, autumn offers the perfect excuse to unplug and reconnect with simple pleasures. This fall, why not embrace a few old-fashioned hobbies that bring warmth, creativity, and nostalgia to your routine? Cozy up with hand stitching or embroidery. Nothing feels as soothing as stitching by a cozy window with a cup of tea nearby. Embroidery, cross-stitch, or simple hand-mending can be therapeutic and productive. Whether embellishing tea towels or repairing a sweater, hand-stitching is a calming and purposeful way to unwind. Bake like a grandma. Fall and baking go hand in hand. Instead of scrolling for trendy recipes, try pulling out an old family cookbook — or better yet, Grandma’s
When Bad Days Keep You From Working The Truth About SSDI and ‘Invisible’ Illnesses That Come and Go
Living with an episodic health condition can feel like walking a tightrope: Some days you’re balanced and capable, while others leave you unable to function. If your symptoms make it difficult or impossible to maintain consistent employment, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). How the SSA Views Intermittent Conditions The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t just evaluate how sick you are during flare-ups; they look at how consistently your condition affects your ability to work over time. Specifically, they consider:
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
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Asthma
Epilepsy
Mental Health Conditions (e.g., Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression)
Lupus (SLE)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Migraine Headaches
Documentation Makes the Difference To strengthen your SSDI claim, you need detailed medical evidence. This includes diagnosis reports, test results, treatment history, and physician notes describing how frequently and severely your symptoms occur. Keep a symptom journal, ask your doctors to document episodes thoroughly, and gather any ER visits or hospitalization records. These details show the SSA your condition isn’t just inconvenient; it’s disabling. You’re Not Alone If you’ve found it impossible to keep a job because your health isn’t dependable, help is available. Understanding SSDI rules and building a compelling case is complicated, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our team at Keefe Disability Law can help you gather the right evidence, explain your rights, and guide you through the process every step of the way.
• • •
How often your flare-ups occur How long your episodes last
The severity of your symptoms during each episode
• The impact on your ability to complete everyday work tasks • Medical evidence showing a pattern over time • Work history and failed attempts to maintain employment
Even if you have “good days,” the inability to perform reliably can meet the SSA’s definition of disability, but only if you can prove it.
Conditions That May Qualify for SSDI Many health issues that come in waves or cycles can still meet eligibility criteria for SSDI. Conditions that commonly qualify include:
Your journey might have ups and downs, but your future doesn’t have to stay uncertain.
• 1-800-776-2929 • KeefeLaw.com
Meet Emma, Our Newest Advocate in Action HERE TO HELP WITH HEART, EMPATHY, AND A UCONN DEGREE
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
INGREDIENTS
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1 1/2 lbs flank steak
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1/4 cup sesame oil 1 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tsp minced garlic 1/4 tsp black pepper
Marinade •
2/3 cup red wine
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1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari 1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp ginger powder 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
•
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy!
We’re excited to shine the spotlight on Emma Daley , our newest case manager at Keefe Disability Law, who joined us just days after tossing her graduation cap in the air this past May. With a heart for advocacy and a head full of human rights knowledge, Emma has already made a significant impact in her short time here, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on the team. Emma graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double major in Human Rights and Sociology and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Her studies were anything but abstract! She spent her senior year volunteering at a soup kitchen and food pantry, where she built genuine relationships and saw firsthand how systemic inequality affects people’s lives. That experience fueled her passion to work in a field where she could help people facing uphill battles. A well-timed connection at UConn introduced Emma to our firm, and the fit was instant. “I’ve always wanted to do something I felt good about and was fulfilling,” Emma says. “Applying for Social Security benefits can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with other serious challenges. Being a part of a team that guides people through this process and seeing the relief it can bring has been beyond meaningful.” As a case manager, Emma brings a rare blend of empathy, intelligence, and advocacy. Her clients feel seen, heard, and supported because she takes the time to really listen. “I want clients to know I genuinely care about what they are going through and their story,” she says. “I’m here to support them with respect and empathy, making sure they feel heard.” When Emma’s not guiding clients through the process, you’ll likely find her taking long walks while listening to podcasts, hitting the gym before sunrise, or relaxing with family and friends at the beach. She recently celebrated graduation with a sun-soaked trip to the Dominican Republic alongside her best friend since second grade. Emma is soaking up every learning opportunity and looks forward to a future filled with meaningful work, wherever that path may lead. For now, we’re lucky that path led her here. Welcome to the team, Emma. We’re so glad you’re part of our story!
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
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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
She Worked, She Sacrificed, She Showed Up — Every Single Time
1 2
Slow Down This Fall With Charming Old-School Hobbies
Living With Flare-Ups? Here’s How to Prove You Deserve SSDI From Human Rights to Real-Life Advocacy, Emma’s on the Case
3 4
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
When Plans Fail, Inventions Prevail
Smoke Detectors Poison gas was a defining feature of World War I, and because of this, Swiss physicist Walter Jaeger started looking into ways to detect poison gas during the 1930s. He created a sensor, but instead of detecting anything poisonous, it detected the smoke coming from Jaeger’s cigarette. Due to cost, it would take decades for the invention to become mainstream. In the 1950s, smoke detectors became more common in industrial spaces, but it wasn’t until the ’70s that the devices became more prevalent in homes. Post-It Notes Imagine creating one thing when you were trying to invent the complete opposite. That’s essentially the story behind Post-it Notes. Dr. Spencer Silver was trying to create stronger, tougher adhesives when he developed microspheres, an adhesive that retained its stickiness while being easily removable. He failed to find a use for his invention for years, but that changed when he needed a bookmark that wouldn’t damage the page. From there, his creativity snowballed until Post-its became a reality.
When you imagine the greatest inventors of our time creating their ingenious new products, you likely picture someone in front of a chalkboard full of equations. We like to think they had a specific idea and kept tweaking their processes and thoughts until they struck gold. While this does happen, it’s not uncommon for inventors to discover a completely different product, idea, or service when attempting to craft their intended invention.
Here are three life-changing inventions that were nothing more than happy accidents.
Superglue During WWII, Harry Coover researched chemicals called cyanoacrylates while trying to find ways to make clear plastic for military gunsights. Unfortunately, these chemicals proved too sticky for that purpose, and scientists quickly moved on to a more realistic option. Years later, Coover worked in a Kodak chemical plant, where he researched heat-resistant polymers for jet airplane canopies. Cyanoacrylates entered the picture once again, and this time, Coover realized they required no heat or pressure to bond. His team applied the substance to various items in their lab, sticking them together. Thus, superglue was created.
• 1-800-776-2929 • KeefeLaw.com
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