As you know, one of my passions is my Social Security Disability practice. I am blessed with good health, a roof over my head, and three square meals a day. In turn, I have always believed it my duty to use my good fortune to help those in need.

Recently I met with a client to prepare for his upcoming Social Security Disability hearing. Though he just turned 50 years old, my client currently takes twenty-nine prescriptions daily for a variety of ailments, including congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He is one of the most polite individuals you will ever meet, and despite having a limited formal education, he is extremely well read and astute, as he spends a portion of most days at the Richland County Public Library. He also attends church at Sydney Park every Wednesday and Sunday.

What you would not expect upon meeting this man is that, due to his inability to work, he has had to live on the streets of Columbia since 2014, primarily taking shelter in a makeshift tent he maintains under a bridge. There, he at least remains dry. He explained to me that he has chosen this as his home over local shelters, where he feels exposed to the risk of bodily harm. Thankfully, he is able to receive some much needed medical care through the services of a local clinic.

My life is forever changed by a single conversation with this client; he humbly put my day-to-day problems into perspective. I hope and pray that I will be able to repay the favor by successfully handling his claim to provide him with a deserved source of income and consistent healthcare.