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Mark Lefkin recently moved to Mattawamkeag after living in a few cities across the country. He lives in a log cabin perched above the Penobscot River and spends his time shooting landscape photography and writing.
I appreciate Dr. Nirav Shah’s refreshing perspective on older Mainers. I am months away from turning 65, yet feel years younger. My mind and spirit are still as young and vibrant as they were decades ago. I have a wealth of experience to share, but no one to share it with.
I recently moved back to Maine to a very small rural town not far from Baxter State Park. And while I am grateful each and every day to walk outside and see the beautiful Penobscot River, or glimpse Katahdin on a clear day, I am thoroughly and repeatedly shocked to see older Mainers, a growing population, discarded like Thursday’s trash pick-up.
I’ve lived in several places and I can unequivocally state that Mainers are a unique bunch of working professionals. They are highly intelligent, highly effective, full of grit and good humor. Bearing the brunt of a Maine winter will do that to you. Imaging bearing 60 or so.
And yet, many older Mainers are left to watch from the sidelines as the future of our state is crafted. Mainers with years of experience and institutional know-how. Worse yet, too many of us are permanently ostracized from the job market leaving all that knowledge permanently benched.
I believe Shah will change that.
He believes that aging Mainers are one of the states’ greatest resources. He will help expand opportunities for older Mainers in the workforce, and I, for one, will be first in line.
He stands behind a new initiative called the Maine Experience Network, where a variety of programs will be rebranded under this new umbrella, streamlined, and offer greater support to aging Mainers in a variety of ways.
Additionally, if he is elected governor, he plans to improve affordability in healthcare, as well as access and care navigation assistance.
From personal experience, this is crucial. I moved here about 10 months ago, and am still having a hard time finding a primary care physician. Thankfully, and gratefully, I have largely recovered from the stroke I experienced in 2023. But I am concerned that due to an egregious lack of doctors in Northern Maine, finding one to help me maintain life-saving meds may be harder than the recovery itself.
Social connection and isolation are two other growing challenges for Mainers that Shah plans to combat. Winter weather and geography combine to form a deadly duo, particularly in sparsely populated Northern Maine. I can personally go a week or two without seeing another human in the wintertime. Ironically, studies show that this can contribute to poor health and higher medical costs. Dr. Shah’s plans are community-based and community-forward, which will aid in addressing this issue.
I don’t know about you, but it is refreshing, and exciting to have someone who genuinely seems to care. Who, given his vast experience in public health, knows what he’s talking about. And has the stamina, good nature and wherewithal to put himself out there to lead.
I have rarely thrown my support behind a candidate, but in this era of politics, I find it to be more and more urgent to let your voice be known. The more I learn about Shah, the more fervent I am becoming. I hope you will consider joining me in voting for Dr. Nirav Shah in the June 9 primary.
