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Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER
January 2023
Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability
1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com
A Heartwarming Story From Ukraine 7,000 MILES COULDN’T KEEP THESE FRIENDS APART
I’ve been following the Russia-Ukraine War since the initial invasion last year, and almost every story from the war zone is a tragedy. I’ve read about bombed-out cities, destroyed families, and people living in constant fear of experiencing a Russian attack. But this month, I came across a piece of Ukrainian news that actually warmed my heart. It is the story of 10-year-old Agnessa Bezhenar and her little gray cat, Arsenii. The tale starts on a sad note. Agnessa and her family lived in Odesa, Ukraine, and fled the city when Russian troops stormed in last February. The family barely escaped with their lives. Agnessa’s mother, Maria, knew they wouldn’t be able to bring Arsenii with them because it would be almost impossible to give him a good life in a refugee camp. So, she left the cat with Agnessa’s uncle and whisked her family off to Romania. As an animal lover myself, I can only imagine how confused and heartbroken little Agnessa felt! She had to leave her home, her country, and her beloved pet in a single day. Fortunately, Agnessa and her family didn’t have to spend too much time in a refugee camp. A kind stranger offered them a home with him in California’s Bay Area. They traveled across the ocean to start a new life — and meanwhile, Arsenii the cat began his own adventure. The uplifting part of this story starts with Dee Harnish, a flight attendant who took care of the Bezhenars on their travels and stayed in touch with them after their trip. Maria told her about Agnessa’s missing cat (she was crying herself to sleep without him!), and Dee made it her mission to reunite the little girl with her pet.
from Texas — got in contact with Agnessa’s uncle. That’s when they started planning a daring cat escape. First, Agnessa’s uncle brought Arsenii to the vet to get him vaccinated and microchipped for travel. Then, cat passport in hand, he smuggled the fluffy feline across the Ukraine-Moldova border on his motorcycle. That was the start of an epic journey. Arsenii passed from the hands of one kind-hearted rescuer to another, traveling through Moldova, Romania, Greece, and Canada before finally arriving in Seattle, Washington — where Agnessa and her family were waiting at the airport. With Arsenii back and purring in her arms, she could finally sleep through the night. When I first read this story, it seemed like something out of a Hallmark movie! I swear, it’s incredible what people can accomplish when they come together in the face of adversity. To Agnessa, it probably seemed impossible that she’d ever see her cat again, but the two best friends were reunited after over half a year of being apart. All of this happened thanks to a single determined flight attendant and her army of volunteers around the globe. In total, Arsenii traveled 7,000 miles through five countries to reach the Bay Area. His little paw prints are proof that nothing is impossible as long as you hold out hope. This is a good story to remember while you face the challenge of New Year’s resolutions. If Agnessa and Arsenii could find each other against the odds, you can land your dream job, save enough for that vacation, or find a fitness routine you love.
Anything is possible with enough grit.
Dee started phoning friends for help, and soon she and two fellow animal rescuers — one based in Hawaii and the other working
–Joe Di Bartolomeo | 1
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
Even if You Have to Trick Yourself Into Doing So Drink More Water!
DON’T FORGET THE STRAW. Straws help you consume more fluid in a shorter amount of time. Whether at home or a restaurant, sipping water through a straw can help you take in more without realizing it. BUILD A ROUTINE. For many, drinking water just slips their minds. By building a routine, you’ll be on your way to meeting your daily hydration needs without thinking twice. For example, you can get in the habit of drinking one large glass of water before bed and another upon waking. A large glass of water before each meal is also beneficial.
For many, maintaining proper hydration is difficult — after all, water is essentially tasteless. According to Mayo Clinic, women should be ingesting 11.5 cups of water each day, and men should have 15.5 cups daily. This amount can be tough to swallow, but water is essential for your health, skin, and bodily functions. Here are some tips to up your water game. INVEST IN A ‘FLUID BUDDY.’ Believe it or not, purchasing a thermos or reusable water bottle and taking it everywhere is a great way to increase your water intake. With a constant reminder to drink
H2O in your cupholder, purse, or on your desk, taking a sip here and there will never slip your mind. CONSUME FOODS RICH IN H2O. Did you know that most fruits and vegetables are rich in water? Watermelon is 91% water, celery is 95% water, zucchini is 95% water, and honeydew and cantaloupe are both 90% water. Not only are these fruits refreshing, but they pack a punch when it comes to hydration!
FLAVOR YOUR WATER. Whether you use citrus, mint leaves,
cucumbers, or other flavor enhancers, giving your water a hint of a favorable taste will help you drink more without feeling like a chore. Whether consuming water is difficult because you are busy, forget to drink, get bored by the flavorless taste, or dislike the taste, with these tips, you are sure to be on your way to maintaining hydration.
CHECK OUT YOUR OPTIONS!
HOW TO COMPLETE AN ONLINE DISABILITY UPDATE REPORT
Let’s face it — no one likes paperwork! Completing paperwork for government benefit programs can be frustrating and confusing. But since the COVID-19 pandemic, alternative methods have been created to accommodate the lack of face-to-face support and meetings. If you are currently receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you should have received (or will receive) a Disability Update Report, which is also known as Form SSA-455. This report is a part of the Continuing Disability Review (CDR) process that is required by law. Before November 2020, it was required to submit the Disability Update Report to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a physical copy. But now, there is an online option to complete this update while also providing any supporting documents about your medical treatment or work! WHAT DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THIS FORM? In order to complete the online form, you will need to provide the following information:
You will only use this online option if you have received a request for a disability update form in the mail. You will also need to digitally sign your form. Once you have provided your email address, you will receive an email asking to confirm your digital signature. The Disability Update Report will not be filed until you do! WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION DOES THE FORM REQUIRE? The SSA-455 online form will ask some of the following questions to determine if you still meet the eligibility requirements. In the last two years: • Have you worked for anyone or been self-employed? If yes, when did you begin working, and what were your monthly earnings? • Has your health been better, the same, or worse? • Has your doctor told you that you can return to work? • Have you attended any school and/or work training programs? • Have you been hospitalized or had any type of surgery?
If you have questions in regard to the Disability Update Report, contact us at 503-325-8600, so we can point you in the right direction!
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Social Security number
Current address and phone number
Valid email address
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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
It’s an exciting time when your teen gets their driver’s license. They completed all their driving hours with their permit, passed the written and driving tests, and are now ready to take on the road by themselves. Driving is a huge responsibility, and some parents may be concerned about their children. While you may have prepared them for life on the road, there’s always a chance of accidents. BY SHARING THESE 5 STATISTICS Teach Teens Healthy Driving Habits
• Teen drivers have the lowest seat belt usage compared to other drivers. Out of all the fatal crashes reported in 2019, almost half of teen drivers were found not wearing a seat belt . • About 40% of teen crashes in 2019 were between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Meaning that nighttime driving is one of the main factors that cause teen car accidents. Teens are at the highest risk of a car crash on Saturday or Sunday nights between midnight and 3 a.m. So, when your teen begins driving, share these statistics with them and stress the importance of practicing safe driving. While you can’t control what other drivers do, you can help your teen create healthy habits that will prepare them for their new responsibility. However, if an accident does occur, allow DiBartolomeo Law Firm to assist you. We can take the stress of filing for a personal injury claim off you and your teen’s shoulders and ensure they get the compensation they deserve.
In honor of Teen Driving Awareness Month, here are some 2022 driving statistics you can share with your teen to show the gravity of this new-found responsibility.
WHAT ARE THE LEADING CAUSES OF TEENAGE CAR ACCIDENTS? Several statistics show the trends and factors behind teenage car crashes. These explanations and percentages can help you discuss the importance of safe driving habits with your teen. • Distracted driving , such as eating, drinking, texting, smoking, and other behaviors that take your eyes off the road, is one cause of teen car accidents. Around 9% of teens ages 15–19 reported driving while distracted. • Texting is a form of distracted driving, but since this category is prevalent amongst teens and other drivers, it needs to be highlighted separately. More than a third (38%) of teens state that they text while they drive.
• While it’s illegal to drink if you’re under 21, 15% of fatal car crashes among teens were because they were driving drunk .
PUZZLE
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND WHITE BEAN STEW
Ingredients
Directions
• 4 15-oz cans cannellini
1. In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine beans, broth, onion, carrots, rosemary, and Parmesan rind. Top with chicken. Cover and cook on low until the beans and vegetables are tender, about 7–8 hours. 2. Remove chicken from slow cooker. On a clean cutting board, let the chicken rest until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Shred the chicken and discard bones. 3. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in kale. Cover and cook on high until kale is tender, 20–30 minutes. 4. Stir in lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Discard the Parmesan rind. Serve the stew drizzled with oil and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 cups chicken broth • 1 cup chopped yellow onion • 1 cup sliced carrots • 1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary • 1 4-oz Parmesan cheese rind • 2 1-lb bone-in chicken breasts • 4 cups chopped kale • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 1/2 tsp ground pepper • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1/4 cup parsley leaves
Inspired by EatingWell.com
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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503-325-8600 JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103
What’s Inside
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Cat Travels 7,000 Miles to Find Her Owner
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Tips for Maintaining Hydration Submitting a Disability Update Report
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5 Statistics About Teenage Car Accidents Slow Cooker Chicken and White Bean Stew
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Can AI Determine if You’re Sick?
A New Health App in the Works Hey Alexa, Am I Sick?
You might be able to tell when you’re getting sick just by talking — your voice may sound raspy or strained. You can gain insight into a person based on their speech. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are developing an app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to determine if you’re ill — all by studying the voice. Voice data is being collected in five areas of health concerning neurological, voice, mood, respiratory, and pediatric disorders. The team of experts hopes to obtain 30,000 voice samples to improve the accuracy and algorithm of the app so it can diagnose multiple kinds of health conditions and disorders. Dr. Yael Bensoussan, the director of the University of South Florida’s Health Voice Center and the leading researcher on the study, stated that vocal vibrations and breathing patterns can provide tons of information about your overall health. For example, if someone were to speak low and slow, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists even think they can diagnose depression or cancer by analyzing and studying a person’s voice.
cross-examine it with its voice collection database. While this may be new to
some, researchers in Australia developed a voice screening app that can detect Parkinson’s disease and COVID-19. But what makes Dr. Bensoussan’s study and app different than her competitors is that she aims to keep data privacy at the forefront of her research.
Scientists and researchers on the team are excited about the future and how this app will help millions of people. Dr. Oliver Elemento, a co-investigator and director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, told Fox 13 that “future findings could lead to a revolution in health care, where continuous voice monitoring could alert physicians earlier than currently possible to certain conditions.” It’s important to note that this app is in the early stages of development and is not a total replacement for a medical professional. If you need medical assistance, please visit your doctor!
So, how would this app work? According to Fox 13 in Tampa, you can speak into your phone, and the app will record your voice and
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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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