Podiatrist Johanna Youner, DPM, e-mailed me recently with her unique observations on the effects of the economic strife in our country and how she sees that no matter what good news is being reported on the economic front by our media, families continue to struggle all the way down to their toes. Dr. Youner is an attending podiatric physician at New York University Downtown Hospital and in private practice in New York City (http://www.healthyfeetny.com) She writes...

There's a tricky loophole in tax law surrounding structured layoffs that you may not be aware of. I only just learned about it myself.

I just came back from a hospital visit that I'm not sure how to describe. Sad? Frustrating? Disappointing? Incredulous? "Charlie" (not his real name) is recovering from a fall in his apartment where he cut his knee. The blood thinners he takes to help prevent a heart attack caused the wound to bleed extensively, both above the surface, and beneath the skin. I'll spare you the rest of the gory details, but know that he now is very weak and is about to enter a rehabilitation facility to recuperate. And, boy oh boy, is he upset about going to rehab. Irrationally so, since his wife is unable to take care of him right now -- he needs two people to help him stand up, and he can't walk more than a couple of steps. "I never thought it would come to this" he declared to me numerous times during the visit, sad that he is a near invalid en route to a nursing facility. Each time, silently, I responded, "How could you have expected otherwise?"