Dear Sun Spots: I was diagnosed with scleroderma morphea in January of this year, which is hardening of the skin and can go into the muscles and bones, I am looking for a doctor capable of treating this disease, and seem to have trouble locating one who is familiar with this disease, any help would be a greatly appreciated. – Darlene Power, Industry.

Answer: You may want to contact the Scleroderma Foundation’s Maine Chapter that is led by Jane Newton and has been in existence less than a year, Newton says. Additionally, June is Scleroderma awareness month.

Newton says what you need is a rhuematologist and she says others diagnosed with this very rare condition are always excited to find others and support each other. They meet the first Friday of every month. The next meeting is June 4 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Central Maine Medical Center’s Conference Room D. Newton says she is available by phone or e-mail and you can reach her at (207) 562-7284 at jnewton@megalink.net. Newton says the chapter will not meet in July but will in August. Contact her for more details.

You may also be interested in the New England Chapter, 462 Boston St., Suite 1-1, Topsfield, MA 01983.

Dear Sun Spots: There was a company out of Lewiston that made hi-fidelity tower speakers with oak cabinets. The company was New England Audio Resource at Foss Road. They are out of business. Does anyone know where I could find a pair? I don’t know what the model was, but the was a 3-way speaker that was about 3 feet tall. I am looking to buy a pair. Please contact me at melmar62@maine.rr.com or at work at 800-865-4171, ext: 2212. Thank you. – Melissa Martin, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I am interested in leasing property to Verizon Wireless or US Cellular for the purpose of their erecting a telecommunications tower. I have made several attempts to contact the correct people at the above companies, but I cannot get past their customer service departments. The property is in an excellent location for a telecommunications tower. Could Sun Spots possibly provide the proper contacts? Thank you for your help. – Richard Gallant, Minot.

Answer: Contact Richard Enright, director of engineering with Verizon Wireless who says he is willing to investigate any real estate leads. You can reach him at (508) 330-3302. Be forewarned however, that your land may not be quite what Verizon Wireless needs. It may not be in the right zone or there may be another tower in the area that they’re using already or it’s not the right distance or topographically it’s not in the right spot relative to the highway or town Verizon Wireless is trying to cover.

Enright says that Verizon Wireless is generally more likely to find property owners than they are to find Verizon. However, he’ll be happy to pass along your details to the Verizon Wireless real estate and engineering departments.

Dear Sun Spots: Due to a disabling illness, unable to work, and lack of health insurance, a couple needs the services of MaineCare.

After a few years, they want to sell their home and would like to have the proceeds to buy a smaller home and have a little to supplement retirement income.

During those years of illness, MaineCare has paid medical bills amounting to more than the value of the home. Does this mean that the couple will be left with nothing when the home is sold because MaineCare needs to be reimbursed. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: According to MaineCare’s Web site, if you get MaineCare and are age 55 or older, the state will make a claim on your estate to recover the money that MaineCare has paid for your care. No claim will be made if you are survived by your spouse, or your child who is under age 21 or who is disabled. Sun Spots would urge you to contact MaineCare to discuss your specific needs. You can reach them through the Department of Human Services.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted.

Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Inform Us section under Press Release.

Copy the Story Link