As we bask in the lazy days of August, there are subtle reminders that the change of seasons is around the corner – from the school supplies clogging the shelves of big box stores to that one tree whose leaves are reddening prematurely. Before the first pumpkin spice latte hits the neighborhood coffee shop, take a weekend…
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is any pet that is legally certified to offer support for emotional of psychological conditions. They help people by providing support during difficult times and are mostly commonly utilized by people suffering from conditions such as anxiety or depression. Usually dogs are trained for this task. However, diversity of ESAs…
When the quick care doctor who was stitching up my elbow asked how I fell in the parking lot, he broke into a smile when I said “skateboarding.” I’m over 60-years and reasonably “fit.” But, “smart” came into question that day. Being active and over 60 had lulled me into some overly casual choices,…
If you’re a typical gig economy worker, you have multiple income streams. Maybe you drive for Uber, deliver meals for Grubhub, serve as a virtual assistant for several clients, and write a regular blog that generates ad revenue. Having multiple income sources can be an advantage during uncertain times. But the downside of gig…
I never thought that day would come when I would start a blog post or conversation with: “Well, back in my day…” But alas, that time has come. Back in my day, life was much different than it is today. I acquired my disability, transverse myelitis, when I was 4.5 months old and became…
Thirty years ago in Washington, D.C., a group of subject matter experts from the insurance industry gathered with trade groups and legislators to talk about a new piece of legislation called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I was thrilled to have the opportunity, early in my insurance career, to take part in this…
On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The ADA had unanticipated impact on employers and their accommodations of employees who became injured or ill during their employment. I was very early in my career when President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with…
Are you outfitting a home for a child with a disability? The U.S. Census Bureau reports that around 12 percent of the population is disabled, and the PEW Research Center puts that number even higher. That means while only 5.4 percent of children five to seven years old are disabled, they still comprise a pretty large part…
As gyms and fitness centers reopen nationwide after quarantine, it’s important for those of us who miss our workouts to understand the risks before rejoining. I returned to my local gym recently and found some welcome new safeguards, but also some surprising lapses that medical experts say should be in place. The big…
By Cheryl Jones, Director of Mindfulness at Aetna As if the intensity of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic with its health and economic implications wasn’t enough, we now find ourselves in the midst of rising racial and political tensions. It feels as though our sanity and our humanity are at risk. I believe mindfulness (awareness that…
