I am supporting Question 1 in November. I believe that all Maine senior citizens and disabled people should have access to quality home care services; no one should be forced into assisted living when they only need a little help around the house.

I am disabled myself. I was abandoned when I was a baby by my birth parents because of my obvious disabilities and was adopted by the family on whose front steps I appeared. Now I am 47 years old, and living independently. But on Sept. 26, I had a minor heart attack and passed out at work and was brought to the hospital in an ambulance.

I want to be able to live on my own and work and maintain my independence. To do that, I know that soon I will need home care services. My grandfather died of a heart attack when he was 47. As I age, I worry about my health and I know how much home care services would help if I suffer another heart attack or just need some help around the house. I have diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. Those conditions worry me further about being able to remain at home among my things.

For all Maine seniors and disabled folks, for those struggling to maintain their daily living or their homes, I so hope that the voters of Maine will join me in November in voting Yes on 1 — the universal home care initiative.

Kenny Derboghosian, Lewiston,

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