Medlin Law Firm - May 2019

The Medl in News

MAY 2019

A LOVING MOTHER

How My Wife Makes a Difference

To all the moms who receive this newsletter, happy Mother’s Day. It’s a shame motherhood is often such a thankless job; the amount of energy and patience it takes on any given day makes lawyering seem easy. Were it not for my wife, Yuliya, I would be at an utter loss raising our daughter. Yuliya is a fantastic mother, dedicated to giving our daughter, Nadia, a truly well-rounded upbringing. Just her diet alone speaks to this. Nadia is the least picky kindergartener at the dinner table. Yuliya has always been sure to keep lots of fresh fruits and vegetables at home and cooks fantastic, healthy meals. Now our daughter enthusiastically eats things I wouldn’t touch at her age. Where Yuliya’s parenting really shines is helping Nadia with her academics. Yes, she’s only in kindergarten, but she’s still top of the class. My wife has always valued education and works with Nadia not just on school assignments but also on broadening her horizons in many different fields. In fact, thanks to Yuliya’s tutelage, our daughter’s already fluent in Russian! In fact, she Skypes her grandparents in Ukraine every weekend, speaking to them in their own language. Yuliya also believes it’s important for Nadia to learn about the world and to see it for herself. My wife and I both have a passion for travel, and we’re quickly passing it on to our daughter. At her young age, she’s already been to Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. Recently, Yuliya and Nadia went to Rome for spring break. It’s one thing to learn about the Roman Empire and another thing to see the Colosseum in person. Yuliya really is the super parent in the household. I’d struggle just to get Nadia’s hair in a ponytail or buy her clothes that were the

right size, let alone teach her so many important life skills. She may be young, but the underlying value of her mother’s efforts are already showing in Nadia. On the playground, she’s proven to be a leader, organizing games for her and her friends. That kind of confidence speaks to great parenting. More than anything else, Yuliya’s talent as a mother shines through in small moments every day, like helping Nadia put her hair into

a ponytail or taking her to the park. There are so many small moments of love and care we don’t even recognize when we’re young, but mothers still give them all the same. Yuliya, I can’t say this enough; thank you for being such an incredible wife and mom.

Happy Mother’s Day,

– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.

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OUT OF THE DARK AND ONTO THE WEB

The Golden Era of Athletes on Social Media

scrutiny of the public. PR firms representing players have now made it a top priority to keep their clients’ images in line by scrubbing old posts that could be offensive and land them in hot water. Still, though, it seems like there’s a new controversy every week. One of the best examples comes courtesy of former football star “Johnny Football” Manziel. The former Heisman Trophy winner was notorious for posting embarrassing images of himself partying when he should have been practicing, and he often blasted his private issues in public, seemingly with no filter. He’s out of a job now, most recently having been banned from the Canadian Football League. For every bad apple, though, there is a bushel of athletes who use their platforms for the greater good. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, five-time Pro Bowler and NFL star, has used his social media “juice” to spread the word about his charity, raising over $4.6 million for youth athletic programs and organizations. Philanthropy aside, part of the beauty of celebrity social media is that the people who seem so much larger than life become accessible because of it. In decades past, you might have written a letter that, if you were fortunate, got a response from some unpaid intern. Today, fans can reach out directly to their favorite athletes. It is a personal connection unparalleled in history. What a time to be alive.

It’s not an overstatement to say that social media has revolutionized the way we live our lives today. But with that massively powerful platform comes a massive responsibility, especially if you’re already in the spotlight. Athletes have taken the opportunity social media affords them to build their personal brands and engage in community outreach with the fans who look to them as role models, but there’s a downside to cataloging years of unfiltered thoughts on the internet. For better or worse, social media is here to stay, and we have full access to all the drama that unfolds for our entertainment.

Despite the web’s potential for good, some pros can’t seem to get the message that every post falls under the

User Error, Inaccurate Reading, or Intoxicated Driver? WHEN A BREATH TEST FAILS

When equipment fails, it’s often because of a manufacturing default or a user error. In the case of breath test instruments, any failure can have serious consequences for the recipient. You’d think this equipment would be accurate every time, especially with jail time, fines, and other penalties on the line, but the DWI breath test is not always an accurate measure of intoxication. This device gauges the amount of alcohol in your breath to determine how much alcohol is in your blood, and several factors, including the three below, can influence this measurement and leave room for error. Breath test equipment is sensitive to temperature changes and must be calibrated to account for them. A police officer should also observe a suspect before giving them a breath test to make sure they aren’t doing anything that could disrupt it, including vomiting, smoking, or burping. Medical Conditions Certain medical conditions, including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), acid reflux, and heartburn, Faulty Equipment or Unreliable Application of the Breath Test

can affect how much acid is in the mouth, potentially masking the alcohol present in the deep lung tissue that a breath test measures. Diabetes and hypoglycemia can also lead to a skewed reading. Rising Blood Alcohol Levels Abreath test is meant tomeasure your level of intoxication when you were behind the wheel. Because alcohol can take up to three hours to be absorbed, If enough time passes between when you were driving and when you are given the test, the measurement may not accurately reflect your level of intoxication while you were driving. In Texas, it’s unlawful to drive while intoxicated, which is defined as driving while unable to function mentally or physically because of alcohol or drugs or with a BAC of .08 or higher. The DWI breath test is one of the most common ways police determine intoxication levels, and while it can provide some information about a person’s blood alcohol content, it’s not always accurate. If you’ve found yourself on the other side of a breath test, don’t wait to call a Fort Worth DWI attorney. With over 32 years of criminal law experience, Gary Medlin is very familiar with the complexities of DWI cases. Don’t hesitate to reach out to The Medlin Law Firm to seek justice for your case.

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DISABILITY AND DEPRESSION

People who become permanently disabled face many challenges such as chronic pain, loss of mobility, and reduced independence. However, perhaps the most debilitating obstacle is the way these physical challenges can combine to cause depression. It’s a painfully common condition for people with disabilities, and one that can often go untreated. As a firm, we don’t have any legal advice on how to beat depression. But as a group of people who have friends, family, and colleagues that have faced depression after a disability, we know that it’s a difficult issue that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. So, here’s what we want those facing a disability, and those around them, to know. Everyone: Know the Signs Depression is more than a mood or a mindset. While it’s perfectly normal to have a bad day or become upset over something in the moment, this clinical condition is far more serious. Symptoms include feeling tired all of the time, loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed, constant feelings of sadness or anxiousness, irritability, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts or attempts. If you or someone you love has experienced these symptoms, seek help from a clinical professional.

Friends and Family: Listen One of the best ways to prevent or treat disability-related depression is to provide a good support system. Often, disabilities lead people to feel isolated and alone with their pain, so being there for them is important, but you need to be intentional about it. Telling them well-meaning sentiments like “at least you’re alive,” or “look on the bright side” can often come off as shaming or belittling the very real pain they feel. Instead of telling, listen. It can be incredibly difficult to even imagine the struggles they are going through but, believe us, a sympathetic ear can make a world of difference. ThoseWith a Disability: KnowYou Aren’t Alone We can’t imagine the pain and the challenges you are struggling with, and we understand if you don’t want to take advice from some legal newsletter you got in the mail. Still, we just want you to know that there are communities and support groups out there with people facing similar challenges. Often, talking with these groups or a licensed counselor can give you a space to talk though your situation and begin planning your future.

Shrimp Sausage SKEWERS

Brain Buster

Ingredients

1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces

Creole Seasoning Ingredients •

2 tablespoons paprika

2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

1/2 tablespoon onion powder

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder

1/4 tablespoon dried oregano

1/4 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions

1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).

Inspired by PaleoLeap.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1.

A Loving Mother

2. The Golden Era of Athletes on Social Media

When a Breath Test Fails

3. Disability and Depression

Shrimp Sausage Skewers

4. How to Celebrate Indulgent MayHolidays

HOWTO FIND SUCCESS IN AMONTH OF EXCESS

May’s Food-Related Holidays Are a Thing of Beauty

Set the diets aside and poke another notch or two in your belt because May isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to sweet and savory holiday regrets. From National Hoagie Day and National Pizza Party Day to the holidays that really spell it out for you like International No Diet Day and National Eat What You Want Day, we’re all looking forward to an excuse to let our stomachs hang low this month. For those of you who plan on partaking, let’s take a look at the best junk food-related holidays this month and how to celebrate them!

feeling a little lazy, throw an apple pie potluck and watch your store-bought delight steal the show as your audience praises your craftsmanship and attention to detail — just how Sara Lee taught you.

National Hamburger Day Tuesday, May 28

As if one daywasn’t enough, it turns out that the entire month of May is recognized as National Hamburger

National Apple Pie Day Monday, May 13

Month! Meat lovers rejoice as patties of heavenly beef are passed around the table for all to enjoy. There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate this patriotic pastime. From grilling out with the neighbors to making sliders for your new love interest, there’s a little something for everyone, especially considering the advances we’ve made in burger technology in recent years. If meat isn’t your thing, throw a veggie or tofu burger on the grill and season it to mouth-watering perfection. We won’t tell the beef purists if you don’t.

Gather your friends and family around the table and dust off Grandma’s old recipes, because it’s time to treat yourself to the most American thing

since, well, itself. National Apple Pie Day is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones while baking the most traditional American dessert. Make the process a game by pairing off into teams for a bake-off; you can even pit the kids against the adults —with a little supervision of course. If you’re

Eat up, everybody. Happy holidays.

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