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Justice MONTHLY
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
DECEMBER 2022
Taking on the Slopes TIME TO GATHER GOLDEN MOMENTS
Winter brings forth the holiday season, slower days, and fond memories of spending time outdoors with the family. My family and I always looked forward to traveling to Colorado and hitting the slopes! I can't recall my first experience skiing — I was probably around 3 years old then — but after many lessons and years, I finally got the hang of it. Nothing beats spending quality time out there together. When my parents would take their adult skiing classes, you could always find Ashley and me practicing on the bunny slope. Essentially, I wasn't doing much since I was so young, and the trainers out there were basically babysitting. Still, those memories are the ones I hold closest to my heart. Around the age of 15, I moved out there with my mom. I remember having my buddy come to visit, and since I would spend most of my time out on the slopes, I knew all the cool places and things outside the bounds. But it wasn't too cool when we got busted by one of the ski patrollers! Thankfully, he was pretty forgiving, and I felt like he probably didn't want to ruin our fun adventures, but obviously, you always have to prioritize safety before fun. I was also a part of the snowboarding team in high school, and who can say they got to leave class early to go snowboard? Not many people! We didn't have many competitions or things like that, but I couldn't complain because I had the time of my life.
Sometimes my buddies and I would go before the slopes opened and build mounds of snow to practice on. Eventually, we got more comfortable with it. I haven't been in years, so I'm not sure how good my skills are now, but practice makes perfect, just like with anything you take on.
I can't wait for the day Isabella and Rebecca are big enough to take on the slopes, and I want to continue that tradition with them alongside Priscila. It may be surprising, but Priscila loves the cold weather. Many people would assume since Brazil typically has warmer weather, she would prefer that, but she loves it when the temperature drops. I think she would really love going out to the slopes and enjoying the snow, and I can't wait to take her. I want to start taking them out West somewhere to see them attempt to do all the winter recreational sports. It's just the perfect time to do it, especially when things start to slow down here at the office. Like any other business, the last weeks of December and the beginning of January are a bit slower since no one wants to be in court during the holiday season. So, it's the perfect time to do it. I can't wait to take my family out there for the first time and relive all those fond memories I had growing up. Feeling that nostalgia and going with the kids will be
a wonderful experience, and I may have to take on the bunny slope one more time, just in case. Like I've mentioned in past newsletters, having the opportunity for the girls to experience my traditions here and Priscila's traditions from her home are truly a blessing. I want them to know about Brazil and have the knowledge of their family there, their traditions, and maybe even learn how to speak Portuguese! Whether we make it a family tradition and invite my mom and Ashley to hit the slopes with us or visit Priscila's family in Brazil for Christmas, they will have the best of both worlds.
Happy holidays from all of us at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood III P.C.
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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THE THEATER IS CALLING YOUR NAME 5 REASONS TO SEE A PLAY THIS SEASON
3. You’ll provoke family discussions. Chatting about the play with your family
The holiday season is all about sharing, caring, and spreading joy — not just for your family but for others too. Volunteering and donating can brighten someone’s holiday and make the world a happier place. Here are three organizations that can help you give back, make a difference in our community, and put people first. The Mended Hearts, Inc. This organization is the nation’s premier peer-support program for patients who have cardiovascular disease. It also helps their caregivers and families too. Since 1951, The Mended Hearts has served millions by providing support, education, and awareness of the issues that many people face when they have heart disease. HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY Through Donations, Volunteering, and Advocacy To get in the holiday spirit this season, consider making a family trip to your local theater. There are a surprising number of benefits to seeing a play in person. 1. You’ll support your local economy. Theater companies are almost always local organizations, and many of them are nonprofits. That means the money you spend on your tickets will go into the pockets of the actors and/or right back into the company to bring more productions to the community. 2. Your kids could discover an interest in the arts. Your children might have a passion for acting or stage design. They’ll never know unless they see both firsthand.
original books. Exposing your kids to the work of Shakespeare and Dickens at the theater is a great
during intermission and the drive home will help you learn more about each other and forge stronger bonds. What did your kids enjoy about the plot? Which character did your
way to help them get ahead in their studies.
more information about how to help, check out FlintRiverHabitat.org. The Arc of Southwest Georgia From child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training for people with disabilities, The Arc offers various services to help people with disabilities address life's challenges so they can achieve personal goals. This organization believes that all individuals, regardless of disabilities or exceptional needs, have strengths, abilities, and inherent value and should experience the same opportunities, rights, and freedoms as inclusive community members. You can use their website TheArcSWGA.org to get involved and help create life-changing solutions for people with disabilities. There are so many important causes that always need volunteers and donations to support the work they’re doing. Not only does giving back enrich your life, but it also helps connect you to our community and the people around you. 5. Your kids will develop their tolerance and empathy. The same study out of Arkansas found that students who attended the theater scored higher on tolerance and empathy tests. Watching live helped them identify and relate to the emotional turmoil of the characters. This winter, check your local theaters for holiday-themed productions like "A Christmas Carol," “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and "Miracle on 34th Street." You’ll bring your family closer and embrace the holiday spirit one curtain call at a time.
meaningful connections, providing relevant education, and offering resources so people can make informed decisions that will improve their quality of life. If you want to donate, volunteer, or become a member of The Mended Hearts, Inc., check out their website at MendedHearts.org . Flint River Habitat for Humanity For nearly 50 years, this organization has provided safe, affordable housing while bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Their services make the dream of homeownership a reality. They work with families, local communities, volunteers, and partners from around the world. Their advocacy efforts focus on policy reform to remove systemic barriers preventing low-income and historically underserved families from accessing adequate, affordable shelter. With Habitat for Humanity, you have the opportunity to build in your community and also in communities around the world. For spouse identify with most? Are there any plot holes or unanswered questions that are bothering them? 4. You’ll boost your family’s literary knowledge. A study from the University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform found that students remembered more about stories like “A Christmas Carol” after watching them as plays than they did after watching movies or even reading the
The organization creates an inclusive and compassionate community by building
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WE HOLD NURSING HOMES ACCOUNTABLE
PUTTING ELDERLY RESIDENTS FIRST
When families can’t properly care for their loved ones, they put their trust in nursing facilities to provide them with the care they need and deserve. Many assume they will be taken care of to the highest standards, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Many nursing homes fail to implement proper procedures or follow federal regulations that are meant to protect the residents of nursing homes. As a result, residents may sustain life-long injuries or death due to negligence or corporate misconduct. What is considered nursing home abuse? Nursing home abuse or neglect is any intentional mistreatment by a staff member, nurse, caregiver, or individual that creates risk or harm to a resident. The term “abuse” often brings physical injuries to mind, but it can also include neglect, sexual assault, or even emotional harm. The different types of nursing home abuse may include: • Physical — Hitting, pushing, pinching, burning, hair pulling, or unnecessary restraint. • Emotional — Yelling, name-calling, threatening, ignoring, or causing a resident to feel unnecessary guilt. • Psychological — Terrorizing, intimidating, or isolating as well as ignoring or intentionally not meeting residents’ needs. • Sexual — Unwanted sexual contact, forced nudity, sexual assault, or battery.
• Financial — Forgery, stealing, chasing residents’ checks, deceiving or coercing a resident to sign documents that relinquish their rights.
What are the signs? Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse is critical to help protect residents and prevent more harm from being done. Signs of nursing home abuse can range from subtle neglect to blatant physical abuse.
Common signs include: • Depression • Bedsores •
•
Visible bruising, scratches, or cuts Unexplained weight loss
Fear (especially around specific caregivers)
• • •
Unexplainable STDs
•
Agitation
Broken bones
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our October newsletter: What can you do? The federal government has regulations to protect residents who are in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. It is critical to speak up and seek help if you believe your loved one is being abused or neglected in their nursing facility. You can turn to the Georgia Division of Aging Services when that care is violated so you can take legal action. If you suspect your loved one is a victim of abuse or neglect — and you want to fight back — our firm will be your trusted guide. Contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood III P.C. at 229-999-4476 , so we can put your loved one first.
BEST PORK ROAST
What’s better than slow-roasted pork that’s caramelized on the outside and tender on the inside? Nothing! Enjoy this sweet and savory meal on cold winter nights.
Johnny Bowden Ayesha Thomas Lorenzo Goodman Maggie Griffin
Gwendolyn Mosely Sophia Dyer Latresa Williams
Ingredients • 4 lbs pork shoulder/butt • Salt and pepper, to taste • 7 tbsp unsalted butter • 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper
Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 320 F. 2. Season pork with salt and pepper and set aside.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, add butter, sugar, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine ingredients and wait for the sugar to melt completely. Remove from heat. 4. Line roasting pan with foil and then parchment paper. Place pork on top of the parchment. Pour half of the sauce over the pork, cover with foil, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. 5. Remove from oven, remove foil, and flip pork onto the other side. Spoon the rest of the sauce over the pork, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes or until the pork is golden brown.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by RecipeTinEats.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
1918 DAWSON RD. ALBANY, GA 31707
Enjoy the Slow Days of the Winter Season PAGE 1
The Theater Is Calling Your Name
3 Organizations Help You Give Back PAGE 2
How To Spot Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Best Pork Roast PAGE 3
Tired of Feeling Anxious and Fearful? PAGE 4
TIRED OF FEELING ANXIOUS AND FEARFUL?
READ ‘YOU ARE NOT A ROCK’ BY MARK FREEMAN
We’ve all felt anxious, guilty, fearful, and sad — it’s a part of life. Perhaps you’ve tried to avoid or suppress these emotions, but you’re not a rock. As humans, we experience these feelings all the time. Trying to control them may only make matters worse. So, instead, focus on something you can control — your actions. That’s the central premise of Mark Freeman’s mental health book “You Are Not a Rock.” He aims to teach readers how to build emotional fitness and overcome their struggles and hardships with different techniques. The book is divided into two sections titled “The Basics” and “The Transformation.” The first half is about learning basic mental health skills and unlearning ways of thinking about mental
health that cause us challenges. The second half focuses on how to create and build what you want to see in your life instead of trying to avoid and control what you can’t see. As you read, you’ll learn how to recognize your problems, practice mindfulness, prioritize and follow your values, and understand your fears. The strategies in “You Are Not a Rock” are the same tactics Freeman used in his personal life, and he shares some of those stories in the book. There are exercises at the end of each chapter that Freeman highly encourages you to complete. By performing these exercises, you can better understand the book’s contents and implement Freeman’s tactics in your life.
Before Freeman helps readers begin their journey, he states that strengthening your mental health is like working on your physical health — you won’t see instant results. “Changing your brain takes time and effort … I’m not going to share with you any magical supplements or special mantras. This is simply a book about actions,” Freeman says in his introduction. If you’re interested in reading “You Are Not a Rock,” you can purchase your copy wherever books are sold online or in bookstores.
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WERE YOU AFFECTED BY THE CAMP LEJEUNE WATER CONTAMINATION? Compensation may be available for you! For over 30 years, between 1953 and 1987, drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated and was the direct cause of countless life-altering medical conditions and deaths. Those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 may be eligible to file a claim. Additionally, the descendants of the impacted person may qualify for a claim if the affected person is deceased. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one suffered from any of these conditions, including, but not limited to:
• Kidney cancer • Breast cancer • Adult leukemia • Parkinson’s disease
• Scleroderma • Renal toxicity • Hepatic steatosis • Female infertility or miscarriages
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You Fought for Us, Let Us Fight for You!
After decades of being denied justice, new legislation is poised to allow people who were exposed to contaminated water to seek compensation for injuries and other damages. We are accepting clients for the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit and continuously monitoring the legislative process related to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act so that we can quickly pivot to achieve justice for those harmed at the military base. If you or a loved one was harmed by contaminated water at the North Carolina Marine Base, please contact The Law Offices of William F. Underwood III, P.C. attorneys at (229) 888-0888, so we can finally get you the justice you deserve and put you first.
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
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