In March, I was pronounced dead. The Social Security Administration, through an enormous administrative mistake, declared me dead – a declaration that began as an inconvenience but soon became a nightmare. I lost my disability check, my credit was damaged, my mortgage and bank accounts were threatened, and every attempt to bring myself back to life was met with bureaucratic red tape.

Finally, after speaking with a case worker in Sen. Olympia Snowe’s Auburn office, I began to see light at the end of the tunnel. Her office spent hours working with the Social Security Administration and Medicare to literally bring me back from the dead.

When an individual falls through the cracks of government, it is difficult to find someone who can help, and even more difficult to find someone willing to take the time to help. For myself, and thousands of Mainers, Sen. Snowe is that person and we are lucky to have her.

I am eternally grateful to Sen. Snowe and her staff for their dedication to representing and serving the people of Maine.

Lorraine M. Keeley, Rumford