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The city of Saco is one of many New England communities that honors its oldest living resident with a walking cane.

Saco’s cane was hand-carved by a man with a message for others dealing with chronic pain.

"To me, my mind gets working into a cane, and I don't think of my pain," cane maker Ernie Merritt said.

Merritt spends many hours in his basement creating canes. He said it is the best therapy after chronic back pain forced him to retire from his career as a plumber and pipefitter.

Merritt said it allowed him to discover a new talent.

"I found my talent because I have chronic pain. Maybe I wouldn't have found this talent. I know I wouldn't have cause I didn't have time. I was working all the time," Merritt said.

Merritt’s message to others with chronic pain is to find their own hidden talent. He is an advocate and group leader with the U.S. Pain Foundation. Merritt said it is crucial to redefine one’s self-worth.

"If you can pull out the self-worth that someone has lost dealing with health care issues, chronic pain, then life will be a lot better," Merritt said.

While cane carving remains a hobby for Merritt, his colorful mahogany canes are renowned throughout the city.

When Saco in 2014 returned to honoring its oldest residents with a cane, the city turned to Merritt. He was more than willing to fire up his lathe to donate to the cause.

"I feel so happy when I see the faces of these centenarians that receive these canes. They're so happy. The last one said no one has ever given me a cane like this before. I go, 'I'm sorry it took a hundred years to do it,'" Merritt said.

Merritt also makes canes for people whose doctors said they need one but can’t afford the cost.

The pleasure of giving is part of the therapy, Merritt said.

Each of his one-of-a-kind canes is handcrafted to benefit his community and his commitment to helping others.

"I try not to make two of the same because each of us are different. Each of us living with chronic pain are different," Merritt said.

Over the past seven years, Merritt has given away nearly 50 canes.

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