My experience of being a new Mainer working with Mainers, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities from different backgrounds helped me understand my new home, Maine, better.

I am writing in support of Question 1, the Universal Homecare Initiative, because I am a home care worker and have firsthand experience about the struggles of many people who have persons with disabilities, particularly those who are being taken care of by family members.

Having a person of special needs in a family makes life difficult and causes the caregivers to split between working hard to meet their needs and to care for their loved ones. That way of life will likely burn out anyone and would keep the already struggling people down or push them further in poverty.

Passage of Question 1 will ease the load for many family members and let them breathe little bit easier, allowing them to work fully to their potential to achieve harmony.

Noor Ali, Lewiston