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The Disability DIGEST
JoelThrift.com 404-618-4816
January 2026
THE TOLL OF TIRED DAYS
When Sleep Doesn’t Come Easy
I recently bought one of those sleep-tracking rings. You know the kind I’m talking about. It measures your movement, your heart rate, and your deep sleep cycles. I thought it would help give me an idea of why I was always so tired. Well, it turns out I didn’t really need the data. It just confirmed what I already knew … I’m not sleeping well. There’s a children’s poem by Shel Silverstein is called “Whatif.” It’s about a kid lying in bed awake with all kinds of scenarios running through their head: “Whatif I’m dumb in school? Whatif I don’t get taller? Whatif green hair grows on my chest?” You get the idea. The poem hits a bit differently as an adult but still resonates. The “what ifs” are now, “What if I miss that deadline? What if I’m not able to take care of things at home? What if I forgot something important?” Meanwhile, you’re running through everything that needs to get done the next day. Once these thoughts get rolling, it’s hard to turn them off. People have told me to take magnesium or melatonin. Others say meditation or white noise can be helpful. I’ve tried it all. Sometimes it helps, but on many nights, I find myself lying in bed, feeling like I should be asleep, but it just won’t happen. Missing sleep isn’t good for anyone, but the stakes are even higher for my clients. A lot of them have chronic pain or other
health issues that make it tough for them to get any rest. And poor sleep makes everything worse. You’ve probably dealt with it yourself. It’s just harder to function. You’re foggy, slower, and it takes more effort to get anything done. Although sleep is essential to feeling well, it is often overlooked. It’s not treated like a real symptom, and that’s a problem, especially when you’re trying to prove your case to the disability system. Oftentimes, medical records don’t reflect how difficult it is to get through a day when you’ve been running on empty for months. Judges and doctors tend to focus on physical limitations. Unless someone specifically tells their doctor, “I’m not sleeping,” and makes sure it’s written down, there’s no paper trail. And when there’s no paper trail, it’s a lot harder to prove your case. I’ve even looked at my own “review of symptoms” and seen all kinds of things marked “patient denies” when nobody even asked me about them. That’s why I tell clients not just to assume their doctor knows how a lack of sleep is affecting them. Speak up. If sleep is a problem, say so, and make sure it ends up in your records. If the first time anyone hears about it is in front of a judge, it’s going to look like an afterthought, even if it’s been going on for years. And believe me, you don’t have to tell me how much poor sleep can mess with your life. I’ve got kids and see what happens when they don’t get the rest they need. It’s not subtle. I also know how poorly I feel after a restless night. My sleep tracker will even tell me to take it easy some days because I didn’t sleep well, but life doesn’t work that way. Some people might not consider it a big deal, but a lack of sleep affects everything. For my clients, it can mean the difference between managing and barely functioning. And that’s not something that should be overlooked.
–Joel Thrift
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DITCH THE QUICK FIX Energize Naturally With Simple Daily Habits
It’s 3 p.m., and you’ve hit the dreaded midday slump. For many Americans, coffee or an energy drink may fuel their second wind. When tired, we tend to turn to external sources for a boost, but it’s a temporary fix; we’ll encounter the same issue the next day. Instead, we need to look internally and make changes to improve overall well-being for the long term. A healthier, more consistent way to increase energy is possible!
away at least an hour before bed. If this is difficult, practice meditation whenever you feel tempted to grab your phone. Your diet may also need adjustments. If you skip meals, eat junk food, or snack right before bed, you’ll feel it later. During the day, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and
nutrient-rich foods instead. Make time for every meal, stepping away from your work while you eat. If you do not get enough nutrients, supplement your diet with vitamins.
Do you stay up late every night? Do you use your phone right before you fall asleep? Do you have trouble waking up in the morning? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to give your sleep a facelift. Try to go to bed at the same time every night, ideally around 9 or 10 p.m. Put your phone
Consider your daily movement as well. It might sound counterproductive, but exercise can substantially boost our energy. Exercise improves oxygen and nutrient circulation while allowing us to get better sleep. You don’t have to go through life lacking energy. Make adjustments today for a more energized tomorrow.
The Medieval Cat-astrophe That Invited the Plague OR DID IT?
While we often imagine war between rival nations fighting over an ideological difference or disputed borders, this is not always the case. Throughout history, wars have started for strange reasons, but one example that stands out occurred in the 13th century. Pope Gregory IX was the highest-ranking official in the Catholic Church from 1227 until 1241. During this period, the church had a group of agents called papal inquisitors who would “investigate” and prosecute instances of heresy. Conrad of Marburg was an inquisitor under Pope Gregory IX who strongly believed cats had ties to Satan. Many of the confessions he presented to the Pope contained evidence that cats were evil, which led the Pope to declare war on cats. As you can imagine, this was completely one-sided. The cats couldn’t possibly fight back, and between 1233 and 1234, those loyal to the church and the Pope committed a mass extermination of cats. While this likely sends shivers down any cat-lover’s spine, it also had unfortunate unintended effects.
In the medieval age, cats were primarily responsible for hunting and killing the local rat population. Without cats, rat populations grew unchecked, which could have helped spread the
plague throughout Europe and started the Black Death in 1346.
However, take this story with a grain of salt. Documents from that time show
the Pope never ordered anyone to kill cats or even that cats were satanic. There is no evidence of mass cat exterminations; if it did happen, we have no proof they played any role in the Black Death. It’s another story where the fictitious elements are simply more exciting than the truth.
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TAKE A BREAK
What’s your favorite type of chocolate? Some prefer dark or bitter dark chocolate, while others prefer the deliciously sweet milk chocolate variety. However, another type of chocolate is usually greeted with raised eyebrows from chocolate aficionados. White chocolate is a creamy, milder treat that many argue is not actually chocolate. Here are the facts: Not all chocolate is created equal, especially regarding different types and brands of white chocolate. The Food and Drug Administration states that for something to be considered white chocolate, it must have a cocoa solids content of at least 20% and a milk content of at least 14%. People get confused over the classification of white chocolate because it doesn’t contain any pure liquid derived from cocoa beans. Instead, it must contain at least 20% cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is a fat extracted from cocoa beans by a high-pressure press. This is a timely and expensive process, which is why so many brands skip it and replace the cocoa butter with sugar and other filler ingredients. If you’re curious whether you’re buying real white chocolate, look for a couple of things. If you see white chocolate as white as snow, understand that the cocoa butter has been deodorized and bleached to give it that appearance. This removes the flavor and some of the health benefits. Furthermore, look at the ingredient list for the amount of cocoa butter. If it doesn’t have 20%, it’s not real. The next time someone tells you white chocolate isn’t really chocolate, hit them with the facts! The Truth About White Chocolate Is It Chocolate or a Sweet Impostor?
Boots Candles Carnation Furnace Garnet Hockey Insulate Janus Opposite Resolution
Skating Sweater
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
• 3 dried guajillo chiles • 2 dried ancho chiles • 1 medium onion, chopped • 4 garlic cloves • 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes • 3 lbs beef chuck roast • 2 cups beef broth • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 tbsp dried oregano Ingredients
• 2 tsp ground cumin • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp salt • Pepper, to taste
• Corn tortillas • Fresh cilantro
and diced onion for garnish
Directions 1. Soak dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes. 2. Process chiles, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a blender until smooth. 3. Place beef in a slow cooker and pour the chili mixture over it. 4. Add beef broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 5. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or until the beef is tender. 6. Shred the beef using forks, then mix back into the sauce. 7. Fry tortillas in oil until crispy, then assemble tacos as desired.
Inspired by SimpleWhisk.com
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404-618-4816 JoelThrift.com 2860 Piedmont Road NE, Ste. 115 Atlanta, GA 30305
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Overlooked Symptom
1
The Healthy Cure for Your 3 p.m. Crash
2
When the Church Declared War on Cats … or Not
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
3
How to Spot Real White Chocolate
Health Care Has Gone Remote
4
The pandemic helped bring the concept of telehealth into the public eye. Many doctors’ offices urged their patients to book video or telephone appointments if they needed help refilling medications, receiving a prescription for an illness, or getting answers about their symptoms or conditions. Although we’re now a few years removed from the pandemic, telehealth is still going strong, offering patients a wide range of services. While telehealth can benefit people of all ages, it is an invaluable tool for those in their senior years. For starters, it is one of the most convenient ways to get help with your health care needs. Instead of getting in the car when you don’t feel well, you can boot up your computer or hop on the phone from the comfort of your home. One of the greatest benefits of telehealth is how easy it is to reach someone when you have a need or concern. How often have you called a doctor’s office to book an appointment when you feel ill, only to hear their soonest available appointment is not for another month or several months? Telehealth services often have openings at all times of the day to meet your scheduling needs. No Commute, No Germs, No Hassle The Telehealth Trend That’s Sticking Around
Telehealth services can be a game-changer when managing specific conditions and your overall health. Doctors and nurses can help manage medication, monitor chronic conditions to determine whether intervention is required, and provide preventive care to keep you in the best shape possible. While telehealth can’t and won’t replace the doctor’s office entirely, it’s an excellent option for a quick fix or questions!
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