Disability Help Center - Las Vegas - June 2019

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HELPING HAND

DisabilityHelpCenterNV.org

June 2019

HOW I CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE SUMMERTIME = WATER TIME! D id you know that the summer solstice takes place this year on Friday, June 21? More colloquially known as the longest day of the year, the A reminder of my deep-seated love for water took place last summer when I got the opportunity to hike through some of the most beautiful rock formations I’d ever seen in southern

summer solstice occurs when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun, which means that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, and we get to enjoy the sunshine for longer. While the solstice isn’t necessary a widely celebrated event, it’s always been one of my favorite holidays because it means that I get to spend more time outdoors doing what I love most: splashing around in the water! For me, summertime means water time, and I try to enjoy water any way I can. After trying my hand at a series of different hobbies and pastimes, I’ve realized that nothing feeds my soul more than splashing around with the people I love. Between work and helping raise a family, I try to make as much time to play in the water as I can, especially during those nice long summer days around the solstice. Living in a coastal state helps too! If I’m not at the office, at my kids’ school, or at the church, you can find me surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding out on the ocean.

Utah. While the sublime aesthetic of the red rocks all around me were definitely breathtaking, I was more taken with the river crossings we found all around the location. Sometimes these rivers had slow-moving water, but then the water’s speed would pick up, which made crossing through them an exciting challenge. Down in those ravines, I stopped often to appreciate all the awe-inspiring scenery around me. At every turn, I was amazed at Mother Nature and how she uses water to create her masterpieces. Hills, mountains, and even the Grand Canyon were all created by rushing water and rivers. Entire ecosystems reside even in the tiniest of ponds. When you really stop to think about it, water creates some of life’s most amazing sights.

While a mental health condition isn’t something that can be self-diagnosed or self-treated, it is important that every individual finds their

I find that water stimulates a lot of reflection for most of us — which is why the crashing waves can keep us mesmerized for hours, no matter how busy our schedules. Summertime is the perfect time to get out there and enjoy the water in all its forms. Just recently, I got scuba certified and am excited to explore under the water as well!

own methods to deal with stress and decompress from a chaotic schedule.

Fortunately for me, my family loves the water as much as I do. My husband, our boys, and I will make a day out of water skiing. It’s a hobby in which we can all support, encourage, and even compete with one another!

Happy Summer Solstice! Stay tuned for more adventures!

–Elizabeth Packard

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IT’S ALL GREEN TO ME

WATERCRESS Step aside, kale; here’s the real queen of green. With more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, and more vitamin C than an orange, watercress is one of the best greens you’re not eating. With all of these extra vitamins, watercress has been shown to improve heart health, bone health, and even act as an antidepressant. Next time you need a pick-me-up, consider a watercress salad. Your whole body will thank you! Bad childhood encounters with canned spinach or steamed Brussels sprouts are why many people avoid green veggies. But the produce section is full of tasty, healthy options waiting to appear on your dinner plate and improve your well-being.

You need to eat more green foods.

No, this doesn’t mean green Skittles. Green vegetables comprise one of the most important food groups, and most people aren’t eating enough of them. But if you do decide to get more nutrients from green veggies, remember that not all greens are created equal. Dark leafy spinach is basically a superfood, offering protein, iron, vitamin A, and tons of minerals. Meanwhile, iceberg lettuce or celery may fill your stomach up, but they offer little to no nutritional value.

Next time you’re at the grocery store, keep an eye out for these top-rated green vegetables that are both delicious and nutritious.

AVOCADO They’re tasty, they’re trendy, and they’re great for your eyes. Avocados are a great source of an antioxidant called lutein, which improves eye health. They’re also rich in vitamin E. Researchers have recently noted that people who get most of their vitamin E from their diet tend to have a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease. It’s all the more reason to enjoy that avocado toast! EDAMAME Looking for a filling mid-afternoon snack? Skip the potato chips and help yourself to some edamame. These Japanese soybeans are a familiar sight on sushi menus, but they’re also readily available in the freezer section of your local grocery store. Edamame is delicious and a great source of protein, making it the perfect snack.

STUDENTS’ CORNER: YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. WE HAVE ANSWERS.

Here at Disability Help Center, our mission is to help the disabled community by connecting them with vital resources related to legal advice, health care, mental health assistance,

to support yourself by working, you will be denied benefits. If your impairment keeps you from earning enough money to support yourself, then you pass this step.

physical rehabilitation, family care, food, and shelter and to act as advocates on their behalf. Here is a question that we hear often.

2. Does your condition “meet or medically equal” the definition in the list of impairments? If you can prove that you have met a listing, or if your conditions combined create problems which equal the listed conditions, then you will continue on to the next step. 3. Are you able to perform your past line of work? If you can return to your line of work, you will not be given benefits. If you are found unable to return to your previous line of work, you will go to the next step.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO MY INITIAL DISABILITY DETERMINATION?

Once your application arrives at the Disability Determination Services (DDS), your case is assigned to an examiner. That examiner will use the information provided in your application to see if you meet the criteria for disability benefits. The criteria you must meet are listed below.

4. Do your condition(s) and abilities allow you to do a different line of work? This decision is somewhat up to the SSA and their experts to determine whether there is another line of work that you are able to do. Rather than only referring to your medical records, they will speculate regarding whether or not there are other jobs you can perform.

1. Are you working at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)? Being able to work a small amount doesn’t automatically disqualify you from claiming disability. However, if you are found to be able

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BUT HERE ARE SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN HELP HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE HIGHER THAN EVER

The first Sunday in June, thousands of people gather to observe National Cancer Survivors Day. According to the National Survivors Day Foundation, National Cancer Survivors Day is “a celebration for those who have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outreach to the community.” With an estimated 1,735,350 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. last year alone, a day dedicated to spreading awareness, preventing, treating, and beating cancer is more important now than ever before. Unfortunately, according to a recent study conducted by the Health Care Cost Institute, prices continue to inhibit people seeking cancer care. The average cost of healthcare for an individual hit an all-time high with an increase of 4.2% year over year (a total of nearly 18 percent from 2013–2018). While these rising prices are frustrating on their own, it gets worse. The overall utilization of services only grew by 0.2%. This means that Americans are paying more money for less or the same amount of provided services.

While this is a conundrum that affects men, women, and children all across the country, those living with disabilities have a significantly harder time affording care. Fortunately, our advocates here at Disability Help Center are constantly conducting research to find local organizations and nonprofits who are dedicated to providing help to the millions of Americans struggling with healthcare prices. Clinics, such as Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, Hope Medical and Dental Clinic, Nevada Health Center OBGYN, and The Center for LGBTQ Studies, all accept most major private insurance, as well as free or sliding fees for low-income families and individuals. If the rising cost of healthcare services has you feeling frustrated and anxious, or if you, or someone you know, are struggling with a disability, don’t hesitate to reach out to our advocates here at Disability Help Center. We can put you in touch with someone in the healthcare field who can get you the care you need at a price you can afford.

INGREDIENTS • ●4 strips bacon • ●4 hot dogs (ideally Boar’s you combine a hot dog with a BLT, it definitely becomes more sandwich-like — and way more delicious. Is a hot dog a sandwich or not? We’re not here to weigh in on the ever-contentious debate, but when BLT DOGS

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Head Beef Frankfurters, but any all-beef variety will do)

• ●4 hot dog buns • 1 tbsp mayonnaise

• ●1 head romaine lettuce, shredded • ●1 large tomato, seeded and diced • ●Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat a skillet to medium and fry bacon until rendered and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel to drain.

2. Fry hot dogs in bacon drippings, creating a crust, and cook until warmed through.

BEACH BREAK FUN HOT

JUNE OUTSIDE PLAY SUMMER

SUN TAN TRAVEL VACATION

3. Using a dry skillet or oven, toast buns.

BEACH

BREAK

FUN

4. Spread mayonnaise on buns, place hot dog and bacon inside, and top with tomatoes and lettuce. Serve.

HOT PLAY TAN

JUNE

OUTSIDE

SUMMER TRAVEL

SUN

VACATION

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Disability Help Center 927 South Decatur Boulevard Las Vegas, Nevada 89107 855-704-4222 DisabilityHelpCenterNV.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Summertime = Water Time!

Are All Green Foods the Same? What Are the Steps to My Initial Disability Determination?

Frustrated With Rising Healthcare Costs? BLT Dogs

A Few Dads Who Went Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

HEROIC DADS WHO DIDN’T BACK DOWN

BEING A PARENT ISN’T ALWAYS A WALK IN THE PARK

GREG ALEXANDER: COULDN’T BEAR TO SEE HIS SON HURT While camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in June 2015, Greg Alexander awoke to the sound of a nightmare. The screams of

Kids often look up to their father as one of their greatest heroes. There are the long drives to sports tournaments, the late-night movies, and the sweets when Mom isn’t looking. We probably all have some reason to look up to our dad as one of our biggest influences. It’s Father’s Day this month, a special time of year when we take a moment to think about the sacrifices the father figures in our lives have made for us. Most dads are pretty great, but some go above and beyond the fatherly call of duty. Let’s take a look at some heroic dads who risked everything to keep their families safe. BRAD LEWIS: OVER THE LEDGE Life can change in a split second, and how you choose to react in a moment of peril can define your legacy forever. Few people know this as well as Brad Lewis. When Brad and his young son, Oscar, were deeply entrenched in an intense Nerf battle, he surely didn’t think the situation would turn as dangerous as it did. When a few darts missed his father and landed on the balcony, Oscar ran after them but soon found himself teetering on the balcony’s ledge, 12 feet above the ground. Thinking fast, Brad grabbed his son just before he fell over, both taking the plunge while Brad protected his son with his own body. Just as he’d intended, Brad absorbed most of the blow. While Oscar sustained serious wounds, his father’s injuries were more severe. Brad was left fighting for his life in the ICU, with severe fractures to his skull and vertebrae. Thankfully, Brad is expected to make a full recovery and has made serious strides since the accident. He and his son will live to play another day.

his son intermingled with the roars of an unknown assailant, beckoning Greg to his son’s tent. There, he found his son Gabriel

being attacked by a bear. The bear had his son by the head and was dragging him away. Greg jumped on the bear’s back, desperately trying to take attention away from Gabriel. Amazingly, it worked, and in the end, the bear ran away. Gabriel was left with serious cuts to his head, but thanks to his dad’s heroism, the two were able to walk away from that campsite and back to their lives together. The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to take a leap of faith or fight a bear to be a hero in your family’s eyes. Just be yourself, show some support, and do the best you can. Happy Father’s Day, everybody.