February 20, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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News February 20, 2021 Protect benefits for How ever-changing starting lineups have children with special needs developed deepest Sooners team in years If you have a child or other family member who has special needs due to physical or mental conditions, you face a variety of Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman just making the right plays.” prevalent for the Sooners this their roles.” challenges planning for their care, including financial ones. You Gibson, who transferred from year. ‘The challenges figure to keep may also have some well-meaning relatives who want to help, NORMAN — During OU's North Texas after spending the “We're a resilient group,” said coming for the Sooners in an but who may not realize that their moves could actually result run to the Final Four in 2016, last three seasons in Denton, Kur Kuath, who started 15 of unpredictable season, but the in some serious lifestyle and monetary problems for your loved Sooners coach Lon Kruger started the season's first two the first 16 games before com- Sooners have already evolved one. Fortunately, by planning ahead, you can avoid these poten- started the same lineup 37 con- games before moving to the ing off the bench in the last two. from a team with one of the best tial traps. secutive times. bench. “Everybody knows their role and starting lineups in college bas- As you probably already know, individuals with special needs “The year before, the same five “T know it’s a long season,” what they're best at. Everybody ketball to one whose depth has are eligible for a variety of government benefits and local pro- starters started all 35 games. Gibson said. “There are a lot of knows their strengths and weak- become its strength. grams that provide assistance with housing, medical needs, spe- In 2013-14, OU had the same ups and downs during the course nesses and we use each other's “When you have nine or 10 cialized equipment, independent living, job training and other starting lineup in all 33 games. of the year. It’s really just staying strengths and weaknesses to get guys sharing production from services. You may also know that some of these programs require In fact, during that 105-game the course, being you and trust- each other better. game-to-game, it makes it a participants to meet financial criteria to qualify for benefits. Usu- stretch, four of the Sooners’ ing the process and things will “Everybody is comfortable little interesting,” Kruger said. ally, this isn’t a problem if your loved one has little income and starters remained the same, eventually come your way when in their role and we're a great “But it’s great to have depth, es- few assets. with only the center spot chang- you work hard” team because of everybody be- pecially when the players handle Difficulties can arise, though, when other relatives, such as ing from year to year. ‘That's an attitude that’s been ing comfortable and respecting it so well.” grandparents, include loved ones with special needs in their es- ‘This season, as OU has its tate plans by naming them as beneficiaries of insurance policies best chance to make a deep or retirement assets, or as beneficiaries of any trusts the grand- NCAA Tournament run since parents have established. In these situations, loved ones who receive or inherit a sizable amount of assets may then be ruled 2016, there hasn't been nearly that level of stability. Kruger has used six differ- Thunder vs. Trail Blazers: ineligible for some important services. Hopefully, your relatives will have informed you of their plans. ent starting lineups, none more than six times. Five takeaways from OKC’s loss to Portland If so, let them know that although you appreciate their generos- ity, the way they've chosen to show it could have unanticipated Umoja Gibson has moved Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman them, but you don’t have as son and Kenrich Williams. - and harmful - effects. You could then suggest ways they could out and back into the starting much control over those.” Maledon had seven points structure their gifts to be more valuable. lineup. Same thing for Brady The Thunder opened the Lillard finished with 31 and three assists in 28 min- Specifically, they can help through a special needs trust, either Manek, who started the first fourth quarter on a 23-4 run. points, 10 assists and seven utes. one that’s already been created or one they create for their gift. A nine games at the power for- What had been a 24-point rebounds. He had made just Shai Gilgeous-Alexander special needs trust is designed to help people with special needs ward spot, missed two, came Trail Blazers advantage was one 3-pointer in the first 44 (left knee sprain) missed his use financial gifts or inheritances for a variety of purposes while off the bench for five and has erased, minutes before draining four fourth straight game. He's keeping their eligibility for some government programs and oth- started the last two in the post.And then it was Dame Time. in the final four minutes. Elijah Harkless moved into the missed six of the Thunder's er services. There are two main types of special needs trust: Portland’s star point guard Here are four other take- last eight games. First-party special needs trust starting lineup when Manek buried four 3-pointers in the aways from the game: Foul trouble ‘An individual with special needs, their legal guardian or the was out and has started the last final 4:11. After the Thunder Dort shines Dort backed down Lillard court can establish a first-party special needs trust benefiting nine games. took a 102-97 lead, Lillard and Dort stepped into a 3-point- that individual. The first-party special needs trust is funded by Some of the changes have er, and once it finally came in the second quarter. the Trail Blazers finished with and drew a foul with 1:05 left the individual's own assets, either through earnings or an inheri- been due to COVID-19 proto- an 18-2 flurry for a 115-104 down, the Thunder took a 98- tance or a personal injury award. A first-party trust contains a cols but plenty have also been win over the Thunder on Tues- 97 lead in the fourth quarter. It was Lillard’s fourth foul. due to matchups and going with Lillard still started the sec- “payback” rule, which means that when the individual beneficiary day night in Oklahoma City. Dort scored a team-high 23 with special needs dies, the trust must pay back the state for cer- the hot hand. ‘Thunder guard Luguentz points with six rebounds and ond half, and he didn’t pick Whatever the reasons, Kru- up his fifth foul until the 4:48 tain benefits received. ger’s lineup adjustments have Dort played lockdown defense, three assists. It was his sec- mark in the fourth quarter. Third-party special needs trust but there’s no locking down ond-highest scoring game of paid off, as the No. 9 Sooners Lillard. Lillard avoided fouling out. A relative or person other than the individual with special He stepped back and the season. needs who wants to include that individual in their estate plan have won seven of their last He wasn’t the only Portland can set up a third-party special needs trust. The third party trust eight to move into sole posses- swished face with a 28-footer in Dort’s 1:44 left, and then Dort shot 8-of-18 overall and 3-of-9 from 3-point range. guard in foul trouble. is funded with assets from someone other than the individual sion of second place in the Big Lillard hit another long-range In the third quarter he had Simons fouled out with 7:31 with special needs. With a third-party trust, no “payback” provi- 12 at 13 overall and 8-4 in con- triple with 52 seconds left to ahighlight steal which led to a left in the game. Simons had sion is required. ference play. 15 points on 5-of-8 3-point Many issues are involved in establishing an appropriate special “The key there is how play- push double Portland’s lead back to mean dunk over Trail Blazers digits. shooting before exiting. He's ers handle that and they've guard Anfernee Simons. needs trust. Consequently, you'll need to consult with your legal “thought the biggest break- Maledon returns 11-0f-18 from 3-point range advisor to determine your next steps. Afterwards, you'll want to handled it well,” Kruger said. in two games against the “They know the people that get downs we had on him was ‘Thunder rookie Theo Male- involve everyone in your family who could contribute to a trust, so they'll all know what to expect and how they can participate. production and the people who where he kind of beat our cov- don returned Tuesday night ‘Thunder. Uniform matchup are the most effective will be in erage and was able to commit after missing five of the last Once the arrangements are made, you can all feel like you've done there more. That's the way it al- a third guy to the ball and then six games due to health and It looked like Blazers vs. your part to make things easier for the loved one in your life with ways is.” spray it,” Thunder coach Mark safety protocols. Blazers-inspired Thunder. special needs. Recently, Gibson has been Daigneault said. “Those are the Maledon started at point ‘The Thunder's new city edi- ‘This article was written by Edward Jones provided by Robert Stephens the key to that. Since moving ones that are more control- guard — a position the Thun- tion uniforms give off both of Edward Jones Financial Advisor. lable and we focus more on. der has recently patched to- NASCAR and Trail Blazers back into the starting lineup Jan. 30 against Alabama, Gib- “The shots he made obvious- gether with Dort, Hamidou vibes with the diagonal slant son has averaged 16.3 points ly are bombs, and he can make Diallo and even Justin Jack- across the jerseys and shorts. Edward Jones and 1.8 steals and is shooting Cowboys start quick, finish MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING 51.7% form behind the 3-point line in the last four games. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Before that, Gibson was aver- aging 8.9 points and 1.1 steals, 2014 W. 3rd | Elk City, OK 73644 shooting 42% from beyond the arc. “('m) letting everything season sweep of Cyclones Robert Stephens (580) 225-3156 come to me,” Gibson said. “Just picking my poison off every- Jimmy Gillispie, Stillwater protocols within the Bears’ Boone threw down six dunks NewsPres program. in the game, several of which Financial Advisor [email protected] body else's mistakes. If they OSU will stay in town for came on pick-and-roll plays. leave me open, I take it. If not, Cade Cunningham came the week before its hosts No. “Just running the floor, hon- firing on all cylinders while 15 Texas Tech at 8 p.m. Mon- estly,” Boone said when asked Kalib Boone came throwing day in GIA. OSU beat TTU in about his number of dunks. Providing comfort and Supportfor End of Life cholces down dunks early in Tuesday overtime, 82-77, in Lubbock, “That's Texas, earlier this season. doing where it starts. ... Just the little things.” afternoon’s men’s basketball Towa State (2-15, 0-12) led contest inside Gallagher-Iba On Tuesday, three of the Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual re- Arena. four Cowboys who scored in for about two minutes of the game. The Cyclones hit two ‘They helped Oklahoma State double figures combined for 15 early buckets to takea 5-2 lead, sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer get off to a good start that it points in that win at TTU. Cun- but OSU responded with a 7-0 or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical clung to for the remainder of ningham was the lone player run, sparked by five points who scored in double digits in from Cunningham. details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. the contest. Cunningham and both games. OSU never trailed again, and Boone were two of four Cow- The star freshman scored was only tied with ISU once — For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: boys who scored in double fig- 21 points on 7 of 12 shooting, less than a minute after the 7-0 ures, helping lead them to vic- including 4 of 6 from 3-point spurt. ISU did cut the lead to tory over Iowa State. range. He scored 15 of those six points in the middle of the Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsi: trator OSU won, 76-58, completing points in the first half on 6 of 8 second half, but the Cyclones the regular season sweep of the shooting, helping OSU build a made only one field goal — a Pat Welsh, RN/ tient Care Cyclones. It also marked back- to-back Big 12 Conference wins lead it never relinquished. wide open dunk — in the final Cunningham also grabbed 11 minutes and 43 seconds for the Cowboys — something seven rebounds and dished Some of the most common conditions are: that hasn’t happened since seven assists, to go along with when the OSU lead was seven early January when they beat three steals, in the win. Those points. * Cancer * Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) Kansas and Kansas State. seven assists were one shy of “ft’s the same thing Coach + End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) * End Stage Amyotrophic “T thought we played the his career high and were the Mike preaches every day,” Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) game the right way,” OSU most he’s recorded in a Big 12 Boone said of the team’s de- coach Mike Boynton said. “I game. fense. “... This school has pride + End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV “He had two really good days for defense, so that’s one thing ¢ think that’s evident by the as- * End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s sist numbers offensively first. of practice and he played well,” we have to live by and stand I thought defensively — if we Boynton said. “. . I think we're by” look at their field goal percent- missing out on an opportunity Moncrieffe nearly attempted to really appreciate a really tal- carrle age — that doesn’t happen by a fast-break dunk in the final Perry, RN Professional, Passionate accident, and we outrebound- ented young kid who isn’t go- seconds, but quickly thought ed them pretty significantly. ing to be in college for a long I get it, everybody wants better of it and opted to drib- Advance, Attentive... So, all in all, we played the time. to see him score 40 and maybe ble out the clock. game the right way. Our guys have 15 assists at the same “I was about to go between Our Difference Is Our Care played really hard, played re- time. the legs,” Moncrieffe said. “I ally unselfishly and played like “He’s having a hell of a year was about to do something ~~ they were appreciative of the and doing it when everybody crazy. But I want to respect the opportunity to go out there.” expects him to — when every- game.” Have you ever considered becoming ‘The Cowboys (14-6 overall, body is giving him their best Moncrieffe said Boynton 7-6 Big 12) are above .500 in shot defensively, for the most wouldn't have liked the late a hospice volunteer? conference play for the first part, he shows up and plays at dunk. He was correct. time since Feb. 22, 2017, when a really high level every night. A fulfilling experience in the spirit they won at Kansas State. That “MA made a good decision, He's not always as efficient as because it was the right thing win pushed OSU to 8-7 in Big he was today of giving and receiving. 12 games after starting confer- The Cowboys also had big to do,” Boynton said. “Respect ence games 0-6 under former man games from Boone and fresh- the game. We talk about that Matthew-Alexander all of the time. He'll get that coach Brad Underwood. Moncrieffe. The two forwards two points back. I’m sure he They will have six days off combined for 34 points on 15 would have liked to have had it before they play again, because of 22 shooting from the field, today, but respecting the game their game that was scheduled while grabbing 13 rebounds. is really, really important, and Saturday at Baylor has been Freshman Rondel Walker also obviously not wanting to show postponed due to COVID-19 scored 10 points in the win. up our opponents.”