It breaks my heart that I even must write this letter for the sake of those who are fighting for their lives every day. These are the people who are ill and debilitated and need long-term care. It seems to me that everyone deserves medical care when they need it.

I have a cousin who has Fredrick’s ataxia — a form of muscular dystrophy. She has had home care since she was 12 years old; she is now 40 years old. She can’t walk; she can be barely understood when she works to speak; she can’t feed herself; and she is blind. Suddenly, her in-home care was stopped; no warning, nothing. Her mother lost her husband a little more than a year ago and has her in her home. She has a very hard time taking care of her now. It has been more than a week and, even though she has been re-approved, care has not resumed.

I know she isn’t the only one who finds herself in that position. Mainers for Home Care is a group working toward getting MaineCare expanded and getting home care for countless people in the state of Maine. The organization is dedicated to helping those in need who can still be home with their families (which was already voted on last year).

I hope others will join me in voting “yes” on Question 1 in November. People need help in caring for their family members.

Beverly Gallant, Rumford

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