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THE LEGAL LEDGER 800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL MY JOURNEY AS A GESTATIONAL SURROGATE AUGUST 2023
I’ve wanted to be a mother for as long as I can remember. Fortunately, I got pregnant at age 22. My son is now almost 13, and I’ve raised him alone for the past 10 years. I can’t imagine my life without him, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be his mother. But about 1 in 6 people globally are affected by infertility, and many will never have the same chance. Before becoming a paralegal, I started my career in private adoptions. I saw firsthand how many people wanted to be parents but couldn’t the conventional way. I promised myself early that once I had finished growing my own family, I would help someone
Not long after, I met a couple through a friend of a friend. They had a son, but the mother suffered a medical emergency during delivery that caused long-term health effects. They couldn’t grow their family on their own and needed a surrogate. It took me much longer to get pregnant, but in May 2023, their son became a big brother to a baby girl. Throughout my second surrogacy, I was fortunate to get to know the family well. I attended their gender reveal party and met their entire family. I also still pump breast milk for them, and they visit often. They’ve become good friends and it has been a beautiful experience.
Fortunately, I didn’t struggle to separate myself emotionally from the babies growing inside me. Surrogacy was a contractual agreement, and I never viewed the children as my own. Instead of feeling sad to give a baby away, I was delighted to provide a baby for someone else who wanted one for so long. Parenting is the most challenging and incredible thing we can do. I’ve always thought it was incredibly unfair that I could so easily become a parent
else build theirs. But I remained single and realized my fertility wouldn’t last forever. So, I moved forward in my quest to become a surrogate.
Qualifying to be a gestational surrogate is a complex process. Anyone who wants to do it must meet rigorous requirements, and many fertility clinics have additional guidelines. I spent years ensuring I could qualify through steps like securing financial stability. In 2019, I applied to be a gestational carrier with an agency. Many of the people looking for surrogates are LGBT people, and I met one through the clinic. He was a gay man who desperately wanted to become a father, but surrogacy was illegal in his country. I know from experience that single people can make outstanding parents, so I agreed to be his surrogate and delivered a beautiful baby boy to him in December 2020.
while so many others could not. It’s frightening to give up your body and put your life on the line for someone else, but my quest as a surrogate was bigger than me. I’ve had the opportunity to improve several lives and bring light and happiness into the world. In the end, I’m the grateful one. Probate and Estate Planning Paralegal —Brittany Florio 1
DON’T LET THE BUGS BITE
SUMMER TIPS FOR INSECT-FREE FUN!
USE INSECT REPELLENTS. One of the most effective ways to keep bugs from biting is to use some form of bug repellent. Today, many people opt for non-spray repellent alternatives like repellent patches, wristbands, or clip-ons, many of which work great.
August is the last full month of summer, which means bugs are at their pesky peak. If you and your family love to get outside in the summertime, protecting your family from bug bites is about more than their itchy aftermath. Bugs can carry many diseases that put you, your family, and your pets at risk. For example, mosquitoes and ticks can transmit the West Nile virus, while ticks can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and much more — including causing alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), which is a life-threatening allergic reaction.
The type of repellent isn’t as important as whether it contains one of these main ingredients:
• • • •
Lemon-eucalyptus oil
So if you and your family find yourselves outside this summer, here are some tips to keep those creepy-crawlies at bay.
Citronella oil (combined with thyme for ticks)
Picaridin
Diethyltoluamide (DEET)
COVER UP! One of the most straightforward ways to ensure no one gets bitten by a bug is to cover any exposed skin when outside. If you can, wear long- sleeved shirts, full-length pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes, especially when hiking or camping. And if you can, tuck your pants into your socks or shoes to prohibit anything from crawling up your legs. CHOOSE YOUR OUTDOOR TIME WISELY. Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and late evening, so avoid going outside during dawn or dusk if possible.
GET RID OF ANY STANDING WATER NEAR YOUR HOUSE. Mosquitoes use stagnant water to lay their eggs, so any filled buckets, partially filled kiddie pools, broken fountains, or even discarded toys that have collected water can all attract mosquitoes to your yard. Routinely check your yard and dump out any water you find.
Lastly, be sure to thoroughly check for bugs on both your family and your pets before ever setting foot inside!
Of course, a dash cam can also work against you. All drivers make mistakes, and the video will prove when you caused an accident just as well as it can show someone else’s fault. But in addition to enforcing accountability for other drivers, a dash cam in your vehicle might make you more cautious on the road. Dash cams have secondary benefits beyond capturing accidents. Many parents use them to observe teenage drivers during their first months on the road. Some businesses also use them to monitor the use of company cars, and concerned consumers have a tool to check up on their mechanic’s work. Dash cams also help people report other types of crime. While you may not have an accident, you could witness one and help another driver with your dash cam footage. Further, dash cams will capture reckless behavior from other drivers, and you can submit the footage to the police for follow-up. On a more fun note, many use dash cams to record their road trips and splice the footage into vacation videos.
THE PROOF IS IN THE VIDEO
Why You Should Consider Installing a Dash Cam
If you purchase a dash cam, check the specifications and settings carefully. Dash cams do not save infinite footage
Tiny cameras are everywhere, from our cellphones to our doorbells. More than ever, they’re also finding a home inside our cars. Dash cams are increasingly popular devices that record whatever is happening around the vehicle, and they can be a powerful tool to prove fault after a car accident. Personal injury attorneys work hard to prove what happened during an accident, but evidence can sometimes be elusive. A dash cam on your car will record the events before, during, and after a collision. Video footage is the best way to show who was at fault during an accident, and that certainty can maximize the compensation victims receive.
and will record over old video unless you save it. You’ll need an SD card to download anything you want to keep. Further, most dash cams turn on automatically when the engine starts, but many like to have them running at all times in case of vandalism or theft. Some dash cams also record inside the vehicle, which people may or may not want. With few downsides and many potential benefits, it’s worth considering a dash cam investment. We hope you won’t ever need the footage, but you’ll be glad to have it if you do.
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DENMONPEARLMAN.COM
Inspired by Delicious.com.au
DOGS HAVE THEIR DAY AT ST. PETERSBARK
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • • • • • •
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch 1 tsp baking powder
1 cup and 1 tbsp rolled oats, divided 2 sticks chilled unsalted butter, diced 2/3 cup caster sugar (superfine granulated)
2 eggs, beaten
HEALTHY DIETS IMPROVE LOCAL PETS’ LIVES
1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup raspberry jam 1 1/3 cups raspberries
Krista Schmidt, the owner of St. PetersBARK, never imagined a career in pet food. She began working in the tech industry, but her life changed when she visited natural pet food stores in Atlanta. “I really loved the vibe and culture of the independent pet world,” she remembers. But what impressed her most was how the nutrition recommendations from store employees transformed her dog’s health. Krista’s dog, Gentleman Jack Daniels, “had every health issue under the sun.” He was severely overweight with thyroid problems, chronic allergies, and skin issues. At age 6, he was diagnosed with cancer. But, “I started to implement fresh foods and a little raw food, and I started to see this boy change.” Jack lived with cancer for another three years with “energy and vibrance like a puppy again.” Krista and her staff now perform the same type of consultations that saved Jack at St. PetersBARK. The first store opened almost nine years ago and now has two locations. It offers pet foods that meet special dietary needs, including single protein, limited ingredients, grain-free, gently cooked, and raw options. “You can read every single ingredient and understand it’s something you could feed yourself,” Krista explains. “But people don’t necessarily come here for our products,” she adds. “They come here for us. We work very hard to train each other on our products and how to help customers with the problems they bring to us.” The staff has helped pets with many conditions, including allergies, nausea, and urinary crystals. While specialty pet diets can be costly, St. PetersBARK is serious about saving customers money. The store offers both loyalty rewards and a frequent buyer program to help people feed their pets healthily without breaking the bank. The staff also curates monthly promotions. “We want to help a lot of people with a better diet and promote longevity for all pets,” Krista says. In addition to their dietary options, St. PetersBARK also sells pet toys and other accessories. The store even boasts a birthday section. Krista also loves supporting local vendors and is looking to partner with more businesses in the area. She loves St. Petersburg, and all her efforts trace back to supporting the community, its economy, and its animals.
3 figs, quartered
1 tbsp turbinado or brown sugar
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line an 8x12-inch pan with parchment paper. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and 1 cup oats. Using your fingertips, rub in butter until crumbly. Stir in caster sugar, then add egg and vanilla. Stir until clumpy. 3. In the pan, smooth three-quarters of the mixture evenly. Spread jam over the top, then add fruit. Mix leftover oat mixture with turbinado sugar and remaining oats, then sprinkle over the fruit. 4. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
Visit St. PetersBARK’s website at StPetersBark.com and get the latest news and information on the store by following @StPetersBark on Instagram.
(EASY WAY OUT)
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800-800-4300
520 2ND AVE. SOUTH ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM
INSIDE 1
How a Paralegal Delivered the Ultimate Gift
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Keep Those Pesky Pests Away!
Does Your Car Need a Dash Cam?
St. PetersBARK Transforms Local Pets’ Lives
Raspberry and Fig Oat Bars
When Life Gives You Lemons
JUICY USES FOR LEMONS SQUEEZE THE DAY
your mouth. Because lemon juice can erode the enamel on your teeth, follow it up with some plain water! CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE Try this hack if you have food buildup in your microwave. In a bowl,
STICK-NO-MORE How often have you cooked rice in a pot on the stove, only to have it stick to the bottom of the pan? So frustrating! Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to your rice’s boiling water to prevent this grain from sticking! REMOVE BLEMISHES
Lemons — they’re sour, aromatic, and juicy. Contrary to popular belief, though, these little citrus fruits can be utilized in more ways than making lemonade or as a kitchen staple. There are many unusual and resourceful applications that may surprise you! Here are some fun and creative uses for lemons around the house and for your health and wellness! FIGHT OFF BUGS Pests like ants, mosquitoes, and
combine water, lemon juice, and slices of lemon. Heat the mixture in your microwave on high for three minutes, remove the bowl, and wipe the microwave’s interior clean! You’ll be surprised just how easily the residue cleans up! BREATHE EASIER When you’re sick, one of the most frustrating things is congestion. Drink lemon juice and hot water to reduce phlegm, soothe the throat, and relieve other cold symptoms.
Did you know that lemon juice is a natural astringent? Applying just a tiny amount after cleaning and drying your skin clears pores and removes oil and dirt that can lead to acne and zits. FRESHEN YOUR BREATH Lemon juice is an excellent tool for combating bad breath. Drinking lemon water can help fight odor-causing bacteria in
spiders enjoy summertime, but insects can make humans
miserable. Citrus oil found in lemon peels is a natural bug repellent. In fact, the scent alone keeps them away. Place lemon peels on your counters, windowsills, and the nooks and crannies of your house to keep bugs out!
Who would have thought the lowly lemon had so many practical applications?
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