Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
LIVING NEXT TO A HOARDER IS NO PICNIC.
IT'S LIKE LIVING NEXT TO A DUMP.
I CAN SEE THE UNREASONABLENESS OF IT, BUT I STILL DO IT.
UGH. YOU KNOW, IT SMELLS IN HERE A LITTLE BIT.
Valerie: WHAT -- WHAT DO YOU SMELL?
JUST... [ GAGGING ]
I LOVE MY MOM, BUT, DAMN, WHAT A PIG.
Ann: NOBODY ELSE WOULD BE COMFORTABLE,
BUT I CAN EXIST THAT WAY.
VALERIE'S HOME IS CONDEMNED.
IF SHE CANNOT CLEAN UP, SHE WILL END UP HOMELESS.
IT'S GONNA GO IN THIS BAG
AND THEN I AM GOING TO TAKE IT AWAY.
EXCUSE ME. I NEED A BREAK.
Valerie: I'M UPSET. I'M NOT HAPPY.
THIS IS -- THIS IS, LIKE, TRASH.
HANG ON. HANG ON.
JUST GOT TO GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Valerie: MY NAME'S VALERIE.
I HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT INTERESTS.
I LIKE MUSIC. I LIKE ANIMALS.
GO TO ART SHOWS.
I LIVE MY SOCIAL LIFE OUTSIDE MY HOUSE
BECAUSE I CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE IN.
I'M DEFINITELY A HOARDER. YES.
I TAKE MY SHOES OFF JUST BECAUSE
I DON'T WANT TO CLIMB ON MY THINGS WITH MY SHOES ON.
THIS IS MY LIVING ROOM.
UH...
IT'S PRETTY MUCH STORAGE AREA, REALLY.
I DON'T SPEND TIME IN THIS ROOM. I WALK THROUGH.
Narrator: VALERIE, A SEMI-RETIRED NURSE,
PURCHASED THIS HOME ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BOSTON
ALMOST TWO DECADES AGO, AND OVER THE YEARS
HER COMPULSION FOR COLLECTING HAS VIRTUALLY FILLED EVERY ROOM.
Valerie: I LIKE STUFF AROUND ME.
I LIKE THINGS, AND I HAVE A LOT OF DIFFICULTY GIVING THINGS UP.
SO, THIS IS A HOUSE THAT I GOT WITHOUT A ROOF,
BUT I THINK IT'S QUITE ATTRACTIVE.
AND I LIKE THE WAY IT'S DECORATED.
I LIKE THE COLORS.
I LIKE HOUSES. I LIKE FLOWERS.
LIKING STUFF, GETTING STUFF, BRINGING STUFF HOME.
THAT'S VALERIE.
THIS IS MY BEDROOM.
AND THIS PILE OF CLOTHES HAS SLOWLY GROWN OVER THE YEARS.
I THINK IT'S CLOTHES AT LEAST FOUR FEET DOWN
OR FIVE FEET DOWN,
AND I'M NOT SURE, ACTUALLY, WHAT'S ON THE BOTTOM.
OKAY, SO, I LAY DOWN HERE LIKE THIS,
AND THERE'S A PILLOW HERE.
IT'S AWKWARD TO SLEEP LIKE THIS. IT IS.
I HAVE A NARROW SPACE.
I HAVE A VERY NARROW BED TO SLEEP IN.
AND I KNOW THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T LIVE LIKE THIS,
AND IT CERTAINLY ISN'T COMFORTABLE.
I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE COMFORTABLE,
BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET RID OF STUFF.
SO, I THINK I'M IN A LOT OF DENIAL
ABOUT HOW DEPRESSING IT IS.
IT'S EMBARRASSING TO BE A HOARDER.
I CAN SEE THE UNREASONABLENESS OF IT, BUT I STILL DO IT.
IT'S HARD TO BREAK THAT HABIT.
Narrator: BUT THE EFFECTS OF VALERIE'S HABIT
EXTEND FAR BEYOND JUST HER OWN FOUR WALLS,
AS CONDITIONS OUTSIDE
HAVE CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF HER NEIGHBORS.
LIVING NEXT TO A HOARDER IS NO PICNIC.
IT'S NOT FUN. YOU KNOW?
'CAUSE IT'S A HEALTH HAZARD TO EVERYBODY.
IT'S LIKE LIVING NEXT TO A DUMP.
SO, I STARTED CALLING THE TOWN.
SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE ABOUT IT.
Narrator: AFTER AN INSPECTION BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES,
VALERIE'S HOUSE WAS CONDEMNED.
SHE NOW HAS JUST TWO WEEKS TO CLEAN UP
OR FACE STEEP FINES AND POSSIBLE EVICTION.
Valerie: I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT BAD.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE THEY PUT THAT SIGN ON THE DOOR.
MY HOUSE SHOULDN'T BE CONDEMNED.
THERE IS A CHANCE THAT SHE COULD LOSE HER HOUSE.
THAT MAKES VALERIE A BIT ANXIOUS.
THAT MAKES US ALL ANXIOUS.
Adam: IT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.
SHE CAN'T CONTINUE TO LIVE LIKE THIS.
Narrator: 700 MILES AWAY IN CENTRAL MICHIGAN,
COMPULSIVE HOARDER ANN IS PROVING TO BE OVERWHELMED
BY DECADES OF CLUTTER.
Ann: LOOKING FOR MY WASHCLOTH.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT MY MOM SEES ANYTHING WRONG
WITH THE WAY SHE'S LIVING.
FOR LIFE NOR REASON, CAN'T FIND IT.
I DON'T THINK SHE REALIZES SHE HAS WAY TOO MUCH STUFF.
IT'S REALLY HARD FOR ME TO GRASP.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SHE CANNOT REALIZE THAT
THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO LIVE.
I DO NOT FEEL THAT I AM A HOARDER
IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.
THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE GOT AWAY FROM ME.
THE AREA ITSELF SHRUNK TO BE ABLE TO MOVE AROUND.
Narrator: AND AS A RESULT OF HER EXTREME SURROUNDINGS,
ANN'S BEEN FORCED TO LIVE AN UNCONVENTIONAL LIFESTYLE.
MY MOM DOES NOT HAVE ANY RUNNING WATER.
SO SHE HAS TO BRING IN BOTTLED WATER FROM THE OUTSIDE
IN ORDER TO DO THE EVERYDAY TASKS
THAT ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO BY JUST TURNING ON A FAUCET.
NICE, COLD WATER. [ LAUGHS ]
I'VE BEEN DOING CAMP-STYLE LIVING FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.
I GET CLEAN, AND I'M NOT HURTING ANYBODY.
MY MOM'S HOUSE IS A PIGSTY.
Ann: THERE'S NO WATER IN THE UNIT,
SO CONSEQUENTLY YOU NEED TO FLUSH THE TOILET,
SO YOU TAKE THE EXCESS WATER AND DUMP IT DOWN THE TOILET.
GETS TO A CERTAIN POINT, AND IT GOES OUT TO THE SEWER.
I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE SLEEPS, WHERE SHE SLEEPS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE GETS IN AND OUT OF THERE,
BECAUSE I CAN'T GET IN AND OUT OF THERE.
MY KIDS COULD NEVER SPEND THE NIGHT AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE
BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE NO PLACE FOR THEM TO SLEEP,
AND I'D BE WORRIED.
ONE DAUGHTER IS "GET RID OF EVERYTHING."
THE OTHER DAUGHTER IS...
"HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?"
NOBODY ELSE WOULD BE COMFORTABLE,
BUT I CAN EXIST THAT WAY.
Narrator: BUT ANN'S REFUSAL TO ADDRESS HER FLOOR-TO-CEILING HOARD
HAS FORCED ONE DAUGHTER TO TAKE MATTERS INTO HER OWN HANDS.
I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY MOM HELP SEVERAL TIMES.
I TRIED SOCIAL SERVICES TWICE, BUT THEY KEPT TELLING ME,
YOU KNOW, "SHE'S GOT TO BE A THREAT TO HERSELF OR OTHERS."
I'M LIKE, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"
Narrator: BUT WHILE ANN ISN'T CONSIDERED A THREAT,
SHE IS IN DANGER OF LOSING HER DUPLEX.
HER HOARD HAS GROWN SO MUCH,
IT HAS TAKEN OVER THE ADJOINING 900-SQUARE-FOOT UNIT, AS WELL.
WITH NO SPACE FOR A TENANT,
THE LOST INCOME HAS RESULTED IN YEARS OF UNPAID PROPERTY TAXES.
Ann: I'VE GOT MORE BILLS THAN I'VE GOT FINANCES,
AND IF I DON'T GET THE PLACE LIVEABLE FOR RENTERS,
I WILL LOSE IT.
PERSONALLY, I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'LL GO IF I LOSE THE DUPLEX,
'CAUSE I'M CERTAINLY NOT
GONNA GO AND LIVE WITH EITHER DAUGHTER.
Claudette: I THINK SHE IS VERY DEPRESSED AND SHE'S VERY SAD.
SHE HAS TO COME TO THE UNDERSTANDING
THAT SHE DOES HAVE A HOARDING PROBLEM
AND THAT SHE NEEDS HELP.
AND I JUST KIND OF CURL UP IN A LITTLE BALL
AND TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND OUT I GO.
SHE'S GONNA BE ON THE STREET. SHE'S GONNA BE HOMELESS.
SHE'S GONNA HAVE EVEN A SMALLER CUBBY,
'CAUSE SHE'S GONNA HAVE TO LIVE IN HER CAR.
Ann: NIGHT-NIGHT.
Adam: I DIDN'T KNOW VALERIE WAS A HOARDER WHEN I MOVED IN.
I JUST THOUGHT SHE WAS A LITTLE UNKEMPT
AND DIDN'T CLEAN UP HER PROPERTY.
THEN YOU START TO REALIZE AND THEN YOU SAY,
"WOW, THIS LADY HAS A PROBLEM."
Narrator: NEXT DOOR, NEIGHBOR ADAM AND HIS WIFE, JULIE,
HAVE TOLERATED THE CONDITIONS
OUTSIDE COMPULSIVE HOARDER VALERIE'S HOME
FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
WHEN MY WIFE BECAME PREGNANT, THEN IT WAS JUST, LIKE,
YOU KNOW, I HAD TO DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE.
Narrator: THAT MEANT CALLING THE AUTHORITIES TO REPORT VALERIE,
AND AS A RESULT, HER HOUSE WAS CONDEMNED.
HI, VAL.
TODAY, VAL HAS RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO OPEN HER DOOR
AND GIVE THE COUPLE A FIRST-HAND LOOK
AT WHAT THEY CAN'T SEE FROM THEIR NEIGHBORING PORCH.
THEY'RE GONNA BE REALLY SURPRISED,
AND THEY'RE NOT GONNA LIKE IT.
SO I AM ANXIOUS ABOUT IT.
[ DOOR CREAKS ]
OH, MY.
THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.
OH, WOW.
HON, YOU'RE NOT COMING IN HERE.
OKAY.
WHY DON'T YOU GO NEXT DOOR?
WOW. OKAY.
WHAT THE...
SHOCKED. I WAS SHOCKED.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
IT'S LITERALLY 100 TIMES WORSE ON THE INSIDE
THAN IT IS ON THE OUTSIDE, AND IT MAKES ME UPSET,
BECAUSE NOW I THINK THE OUTSIDE LOOKS NICE.
MY. VAL, THIS IS YOUR BEDROOM?
Valerie: THAT'S MY BEDROOM, YEAH.
AND WHERE DO YOU SLEEP?
AGAINST THE FAR WALL.
RIGHT NEXT TO THE BUREAU, AGAINST THE FAR WALL.
WHERE? YOU CAN'T SLEEP IN HERE.
IT'S VERY NARROW.
YOU DON'T HAVE A BED.
YOU SLEEP ON TOP OF STUFF.
THE BEDROOM IS A ROOM STACKED WITH JUNK.
THERE'S NOT A BED.
WELL, SHE SAID THERE WAS, BUT I WENT IN THERE.
THERE'S JUST -- SHE SLEEPS ON TRASH.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE --
CAN WE PLEASE HELP THIS AND GET THIS OUT OF HERE?
YEAH. I'M WORKING ON IT.
THIS IS, LIKE, OVERWHELMING TO ME.
I FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA PASS OUT.
I MEAN, ME COMING IN HERE LIKE THIS
SHOWS YOU THAT I CARE ABOUT YOU.
AND I'M NOT GONNA --
I'M TRYING NOT TO JUDGE YOU, BUT I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS.
WELL, THIS IS WHO I AM.
OH, MAN!
Valerie: YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE SAY IT'S NOT NORMAL TO LIVE LIKE THIS,
THAT'S HARD TO HEAR.
THE KITCHEN'S IN HERE.
WHY DON'T YOU GO BY ME?
'CAUSE IT'S HARD -- IT'S HARD TO SQUEEZE THROUGH.
SO, STEP DOWN.
Adam: OH, MAN.
IT SMELLS IN HERE. UGH.
IT SMELL -- YOU KNOW, IT SMELLS IN HERE A LITTLE BIT.
WHAT DO YOU SMELL?
JUST --
[ GAGGING ]
I DON'T KNOW. SOMETHING OLD AND MOLDY.
IT'S COMPLETELY SHOCKING THAT ANYONE COULD LIVE LIKE THAT.
LIKE, IN SQUALOR. IT'S RIDICULOUS.
Valerie: ADAM WANTS TO KEEP HIS WIFE HEALTHY.
HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT MY HOUSE.
IT JUST FEELS SO DIFFICULT TO MAKE A CHANGE.
Adam: I'M SCARED [BLEEP] RIGHT NOW. LIKE, I'M NERVOUS.
LIKE, THIS HAS TO BE REMEDIED.
I'M NOT GONNA GIVE IN UNTIL IT IS.
Ann: THERE'S NO 6s.
THERE'S A 5.
THERE'S TWO OPEN, SO...CAN'T PUT A 5 THERE.
Narrator: BACK IN THE MIDWEST,
DECADES OF COMPULSIVE HOARDING HAS FORCED ANN TO SPEND
MOST OF HER WAKING HOURS IN A 5-FOOT-BY-3-FOOT SPACE.
THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER HAS ALSO DRIVEN A WALL
BETWEEN THE MOTHER AND HER TWO DAUGHTERS.
TO BE A CHILD OF A HOARDER IS VERY DIFFICULT.
WE NEVER HAD FAMILY MEALS BECAUSE THE TABLE WAS ALWAYS
CLUTTERED WITH PLASTIC STUFF, PLASTIC CONTAINERS.
I DON'T THINK THERE WAS A HOUSE I REMEMBER
THAT WASN'T CONTINUOUSLY FULL OF STUFF.
Vickie: I MOVED OUT, AND IT HAS BEEN
OVER 20 YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE.
I JUST -- I COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.
Narrator: BUT WHILE VICKIE MOVED OUT MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO,
TODAY, WITH THE THREAT OF EVICTION LOOMING,
SHE'S WILLING TO GIVE HER MOTHER ONE LAST CHANCE.
THE GOAL FOR HER TO SAVE HER HOUSE RIGHT NOW
WOULD BE TO RENT HALF THE DUPLEX OUT.
CLEAN IT UP, GET IT EMPTIED OUT, AND GET IT RENTED OUT.
'CAUSE SHE AIN'T GONNA COME LIVE WITH ME.
OH, MY GOD, MOM. REALLY?
[ SIGHS ] THIS IS HORRIBLE.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
WOULDN'T EVEN BE ABLE TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE?
SOME DAYS I DON'T EVEN CARE.
OF THE 1,800 SQUARE FEET OF BOTH SIDES OF THAT DUPLEX,
I WOULD HAVE TO SAY SHE IS LIVING IN...
I'D NOT EVEN SAY 100 SQUARE FEET.
IT'S -- IT'S THAT BAD.
THIS IS NOT A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. THIS IS DISGUSTING.
AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT I DON'T KNOW?
APPARENTLY YOU DON'T.
'CAUSE YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
I HAVE BEEN.
WHERE?
AND YOU KNOW WHAT? TO BE HONEST WITH YOU?
I CALLED SOCIAL SERVICES ON YOU SEVERAL TIMES
BECAUSE OF THE WHOLE NON-RUNNING-WATER THING.
I WAS TOTALLY SURPRISED SHE HAD NERVE ENOUGH TO CALL THEM ON ME.
IF THAT FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME IN HERE RIGHT NOW,
THEY'D BE CONDEMNING THIS PLACE.
THEY REALLY WOULD.
ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THESE BOXES AND NEWSPAPERS HERE.
AND YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ANOTHER PHONE CALL?
NO, I'M NOT, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT?
YOU'RE GONNA CLEAN THIS UP,
AND YOU'RE GONNA MAKE THIS PLACE LIVEABLE -- BOTH SIDES.
DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE HOARDING DISEASE?
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?
YES, I KNOW WHAT THAT IS.
DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE IT?
WELL, WHEN YOU'RE LIMITED IN SPACE
AND CAN'T PACK A LARGE GARBAGE BAG,
TO GET THROUGH THE SPACE THAT YOU DO HAVE, IT'S DIFFICULT.
MM, THAT'S AN EXCUSE.
SHE WAS VERY VERBAL WHEN SHE CAME IN,
SHOWING HER DISAPPOINTMENT,
LIKE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON TOP OF THINGS MORE.
OH, NO! THERE GOES SOME PAPERS.
I LOVE MY MOM, BUT, DAMN, WHAT A PIG.
TO CLEAN IT OUT, IT'S GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE.
IT REALLY IS.
THIS IS BAD.
Narrator: FOR DECADES, MASSACHUSETTS NATIVE VALERIE
HAS LET HER COMPULSION TO HOARD RUN RAMPANT.
Valerie: I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY,
BUT IT'S JUST SO HARD TO CHANGE.
IT'S A MONUMENTAL EFFORT TO MAKE THINGS DIFFERENT.
Narrator: BUT DESPITE THE OVERWHELMING CHALLENGE,
VALERIE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO CLEAN UP OR RISK EVICTION.
TODAY, HEALTH INSPECTOR JIM FEENEY IS COMING BY
TO CHECK IN ON VALERIE'S PROGRESS.
VAL HAS ABSOLUTELY NO PASSAGEWAYS
TO MOVE AROUND HER DWELLING.
THE STAKES FOR VALERIE ARE VERY HIGH.
IF SHE DOESN'T DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE,
SHE COULD ULTIMATELY LOSE CONTROL
AND OWNERSHIP OF THE HOME.
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
COME IN!
HI, VAL.
HI, JIM.
I WAS HOPING TO SEE A LOT MORE PROGRESS,
BUT WHEN I WENT IN VAL'S HOUSE, I JUST --
I REALLY COULDN'T TELL THAT ANYTHING HAD BEEN DONE AT ALL.
YOU HAVEN'T MADE AS MUCH PROGRESS AS I WAS HOPING,
BUT I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.
IT'S VERY HARD. IT'S HARD STAYING ON TASK.
IT REALLY IS.
I LIKE THE THINGS THAT I'VE COLLECTED OVER THE YEARS,
AND IT'S HARD TO THROW THEM OUT.
ALL RIGHT, AND, VAL, JUST TO --
TO REITERATE HOW MUCH PROGRESS WE DO NEED TO MAKE HERE,
I MEAN, THERE IS A LOT THAT HAS TO BE DONE
NOT ONLY FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY,
BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE NEIGHBORS
AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL YOUR DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE FULLY.
WE'VE GOT TO CLEAR OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR WINDOWS
IN CASE SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE TO COME IN AND RESCUE YOU,
AND A LOT OF THESE FIRE HAZARDS ARE GONNA HAVE TO BE REMOVED.
IN TWO WEEKS' TIME, YOU WANT CLEAR PATHWAYS?
IS THAT WHAT YOU EXPECT?
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, VAL, IT IS.
I DO BELIEVE VAL UNDERSTANDS HOW HIGH THE STAKES ARE
AND WHAT SHE HAS TO DO, BUT I THINK
SOMETIMES HER REALITY ISN'T WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE.
SHE'S NOT HEARING FULLY HOW QUICKLY THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
Narrator: TIME IS ALSO RUNNING OUT FOR COMPULSIVE HOARDER ANN,
WHOSE DECADES OF COLLECTING HAVE RESULTED IN
MOUNTAIN-HIGH STACKS OF CLUTTER AND UNPAID BILLS.
WITH MY SITUATION,
I AM LIVING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, I FEEL.
WHAT'S CHANGED CURRENTLY IN MY LIFE
IS TWO *** DAUGHTERS.
BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT ME LIVING
IN THE CONDITION THAT I HAVE BEEN LIVING.
I'VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT, "OKAY, I'LL TRY IT YOUR WAY."
Narrator: TODAY ANN HAS AGREED TO MEET WITH
LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST DR. SAMANTHA MORRISON
IN HOPES OF RECTIFYING HER DIRE SITUATION.
IF SHE WANTS TO HELP, SHE'S MORE THAN WELCOME TO HELP.
BUT IF SHE USES THE WORD "HOARDING," UM...
THAT'S NOT REALLY MY OPINION.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
I'M DOING PRETTY GOOD, THANK YOU.
OKAY.
AND YOU?
I'M OKAY.
GOOD.
HOW DO YOU LIKE THE CHANGE OF WEATHER?
A LITTLE CHILLY OUT THERE TODAY.
YEAH.
ANN'S HOME IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH STUFF JUST WALL-TO-WALL.
NOT EVEN A PATHWAY FOR YOU TO WALK THROUGH,
ESSENTIALLY CLIMBING OVER THINGS
TO GET FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER.
OKAY, SO, RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN THE KITCHEN.
MM-HMM.
OKAY.
SHE WAS LITERALLY LIVING ON THE PILE OF STUFF,
AND, YOU KNOW, THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU
THE SEVERITY OF HOW FAR THINGS HAD GOTTEN FOR HER.
OKAY, SO, NOW WHERE ARE WE?
WE ARE IN THE ENTRANCE OF THE LIVING ROOM.
AND DOWN THAT LITTLE HALL,
ON EITHER SIDE, ARE THE TWO BEDROOMS.
OKAY. AND, SO, WHERE DO YOU SLEEP?
IN THE MIDDLE... OF THE HALLWAY.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALLWAY?
YEAH. WELL, IT'S MORE OR LESS THIS SIDE.
COULD YOU TAKE ME THERE?
SURE.
I THINK ANN IS PRETTY MUCH
HOARDING EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING.
SHE JUST SEEMS TO SEE THE OVER-IMPORTANCE IN ANY ITEM.
AND YOU'VE BEEN SLEEPING IN THIS AREA FOR HOW LONG NOW?
Ann: NINE YEARS.
OKAY.
AND HOW MUCH TIME ARE YOU SPENDING IN THIS LIVING AREA?
LIKE, IN A DAY.
IN A DAY?
IS THIS JUST FOR SLEEPING AT NIGHT OR...
NO, I DON'T GO ANYWHERE.
SO, MUCH OF YOUR WAKING HOURS ARE SPENT IN THIS SPOT.
YES. YES.
BY YOURSELF.
DOESN'T EVER GET LONELY?
IT DOES, TO A POINT.
BUT I'VE BEEN A LONER ALL MY LIFE.
ANN SUFFERS FROM SIGNIFICANT DEPRESSION,
AND THAT CONTRIBUTES TO AN INCREASE IN HOPELESSNESS,
A LACK OF MOTIVATION TO GET UP, TO GET DRESSED,
TO TAKE CARE OF HERSELF, TO MEET HER DAILY LIVING SKILLS.
SO, ASIDE FROM THE HOARDING,
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS MOOD CONCERNS
THAT REALLY GO RIGHT HAND-IN-HAND ALONGSIDE OF IT.
I WANT TO SEE IF WE COULD DO AN EXPERIMENT --
OR AN EXPOSURE, AS WE CALL THEM.
WHATEVER WE DECIDE TO DISCARD, IT'S GONNA GO IN THIS BAG,
AND THEN I'M GOING TO TAKE IT AWAY.
WE'RE NOT GONNA PUT IT ON THE CURB.
IT'S GOING TO BE GONE FOR GOOD.
I THINK THIS IS GONNA GIVE YOU SOME ANXIETY,
BUT I THINK THE MORE YOU PRACTICE THIS,
THE EASIER IT'S GOING TO GET.
I BELIEVE THAT DR. MORRISON
WANTED ME TO ADMIT TO BEING A HOARDER.
AND I DIDN'T LIKE IT.
MORRISON HANDED ME A TRASH BAG AND SHE SAYS, "FILL IT."
WHAT ARE THESE?
DESSERT.
DESSERT. OKAY.
CONTAINERS.
I'VE GOT EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN.
WELL, BUT THE THING IS, HOW LIKELY
ARE THESE GRANDCHILDREN TO HAVE USED THESE?
THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS
THAT I WANT YOU TO START ASKING YOURSELF.
THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HERE. WHEN THEY COME HERE...
BUT THEY HAVEN'T COME IN 10 --
...IT'S A TREAT.
BUT THEY HAVEN'T COME IN 10 YEARS.
IT'S LESS --
EXCUSE ME.
I NEED A BREAK.
OKAY.
ALL RIGHT.
IT WAS VERY TELLING AFTER MY FIRST VISIT
THAT THIS WAS NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY CASE,
THAT THERE WERE GOING TO BE A LOT OF CHALLENGES
IN TERMS OF TRYING TO GET HER TO BE ON BOARD WITH THIS PROCESS
AND TO TAKE THE STEPS TO GETTING BETTER.
Ann: I'VE GOT EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN.
BUT THEY HAVEN'T COME IN 10 YEARS.
AND, SO, IT'S LESS --
EXCUSE ME. I NEED A BREAK.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: AN EXPOSURE-THERAPY EXERCISE
ENDS BEFORE IT EVEN BEGINS WHEN COMPULSIVE HOARDER ANN
REFUSES TO PART WITH A SINGLE ITEM.
ANN IS A REALLY COMPLICATED CASE
BECAUSE SHE WASN'T REALLY ASKING FOR HELP,
AND, SO, TO TRY TO ESTABLISH A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP,
TO TRY TO GIVE HER SOME SKILLS, SOME TOOLS FOR HOW TO COPE WITH
THE DISCARD AND THE CLEANUP PROCESS
AND EVEN JUST GIVE HER SOME EDUCATION ON WHAT HOARDING IS,
SHE DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR ANY OF THAT.
Morrison: ANN, TALK ME THROUGH WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
NO.
OKAY.
I KNOW THIS ISN'T EASY.
IN FACT, I KNOW THAT THIS MUST BE
INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT FOR YOU.
BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOU THROUGH THIS.
AND SHUTTING DOWN DOESN'T HELP ANYTHING.
IT DOESN'T MAKE THE SITUATION GO AWAY.
I'M NOT GONNA TALK ABOUT IT.
ANN.
WHAT IS IT THAT'S CAUSING YOU TO SHUT DOWN RIGHT NOW?
I SAID I WILL NOT TALK ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.
WHEN PUSH CAME TO SHOVE AND WE WERE --
SHE WAS CONFRONTED WITH, YOU KNOW,
ACTUALLY HAVING TO GET RID OF STUFF,
THEN MORE OF THE TRUE ANN AND THE UNDERNEATH STUFF
KIND OF CAME OUT.
Ann: I REALLY DON'T FEEL
THAT SHE KNEW WHERE I WAS COMING FROM.
SHE TRIED THE BEST SHE COULD WITH HER EXPERIENCES,
BUT THEY WEREN'T MY EXPERIENCES.
Morrison: I DIDN'T THINK THAT I COULD PUSH ANY FURTHER FOR TODAY,
AND ANN BASICALLY KIND OF CALLED IT QUITS,
AND I THINK TOMORROW IS A BIG UNKNOWN,
AND I'M NOT SURE IF, WHEN WE SHOW UP HERE,
SHE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE CLEANUP.
Narrator: JUST OUTSIDE OF BOSTON,
A THREATENING VISIT FROM THE CITY HEALTH INSPECTOR
HAS LEFT VALERIE FACING A SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE TASK.
AND TO HELP PREPARE FOR THE DAYS AHEAD,
SHE'S MEETING WITH LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST DR. BECKY BEATON.
HOW DO YOU THINK THIS ALL STARTED?
UM...
I THINK IT'S BEEN GRADUAL.
I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANY ONE -- ONE EVENT
THAT HAPPENED TO ME THAT CAUSED ME TO WANT TO COLLECT.
I JUST THINK I HAD THIS SPACE, SO I JUST BROUGHT THINGS IN
AND FILLED UP THE SPACE AROUND ME.
SO, YOU FEEL LIKE THERE MIGHT BE PART OF YOU THAT IS --
IT FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH ALL THESE ITEMS AROUND YOU,
KIND OF LIKE A COCOON.
I THINK THAT'S SOME OF IT -- FILLING UP THE SPACE AROUND ME
SO I DON'T FEEL SO EXPOSED OR...
YEAH.
YEAH.
I THINK I PREFER HIDING INSTEAD OF BEING REAL OPEN.
I DON'T THINK PEOPLE LIKE ME, YOU KNOW,
WHEN THEY REALLY GET TO KNOW ME, SO I THINK THAT'S WHY I HIDE.
I MEAN, ACTUALLY, SOCIAL ANXIETY
IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON DIAGNOSES
TO HAPPEN ALONG WITH HOARDING.
THAT'S KIND OF A CRITICAL ISSUE, BECAUSE IF WE START
MOVING THESE ITEMS AND IT STARTS BEING MORE OPEN,
ARE YOU GONNA FEEL EXPOSED?
I THINK SO.
I THINK EVEN JUST PEOPLE COMING IN IS EXPOSING ME,
BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.
VALERIE USES THE HOARD TO HIDE.
SHE HAS SOCIAL ANXIETY, SHE'S AFRAID OF CRITICISM,
SHE'S AFRAID TO BE HURT, AND SHE USES THE HOARD
AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO INVITE PEOPLE OVER
OR REALLY LET THEM INTO HER LIFE.
TOMORROW'S A BIG DAY,
AND WE'RE GONNA BE GOING THROUGH A LOT OF STUFF REALLY FAST.
SO, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS, FIRST OF ALL,
START OUT FROM ZERO TO 10, 10 BEING SOMETHING YOU LOVE --
YOU HAVE ENOUGH THINGS IN THIS HOME
THAT YOU REALLY SHOULD JUST KEEP, 10s.
THE THINGS YOU REALLY LOVE. WITH ME SO FAR?
YEAH. I UNDERSTAND. UH-HUH.
OKAY. WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?
UM...
I'M GONNA MAKE THAT ONE A 10.
THAT ONE'S A 10? OKAY.
YEAH.
I'M GONNA START JUST KIND OF PUTTING SOME 10s TOGETHER.
BIRDHOUSE.
OH, GOSH. YEAH.
ANOTHER 10.
INITIALLY, I HAD A LOT OF HOPE FOR VALERIE
BECAUSE SHE SEEMED VERY INSIGHTFUL AND WILLING,
BUT SHE STARTED HOLDING ONTO EVERYTHING,
AND I WAS VERY CONCERNED.
SO, I SAW THIS LITTLE COCONUT RABBIT.
YEAH. THERE ARE TWO OF THOSE.
IS THAT RIGHT? IT'S A COCONUT?
IT IS, YEAH.
OKAY.
YEAH, I'D LIKE TO KEEP THOSE.
AFTER SEEING HOW ATTACHED VALERIE WAS
TO ALL OF THESE ITEMS AND HOW MANY ITEMS THERE WERE,
I WAS REALLY AFRAID
WE WERE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO CLEAN THIS ALL UP.
VALERIE'S HOME IS CONDEMNED.
IF SHE CANNOT CLEAN UP, SHE WILL END UP HOMELESS.
Narrator: COMPULSIVE HOARDER VALERIE HAS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS
TO CLEAN HER HOUSE OR FACE POSSIBLE EVICTION.
TODAY DR. BECKY BEATON
AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER SARAH BUCKWALTER
LEAD A TEAM OF HAULERS AND VOLUNTEERS
TO TAKE ON THE TASK.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING TODAY.
OUR GOAL HERE IS TO REALLY HELP VAL GET HER HOUSE CLEARED OUT.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO
IS BE RESPECTFUL OF HER STUFF AND HER PROPERTY,
BUT WE REALLY WANT TO GET AS MUCH OUT OF HERE AS WE CAN.
AND, DR. BECKY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?
JUST REMEMBER THAT THESE ARE VALERIE'S BELONGINGS.
SHE GETS FINAL SAY ON EVERYTHING.
YES. SO, YOU GUYS READY TO GET GOING?
All: YEAH!
HOORAY! LET'S GO!
Narrator: WITH FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND FAMILY ON HAND,
THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER TO CLEAR THE HOARD,
BUT VAL'S INABILITY TO DISCARD ITEMS
PREVENTS ANY MOMENTUM FROM BUILDING.
Valerie: OKAY HANG ON.
I WANT -- THIS IS A BOOK I WANTED TO READ
AND HAVEN'T READ IT.
I'D LIKE TO KEEP THESE MADELEINE L'ENGLE.
I WANT TO KEEP THESE.
ALL OF THOSE?
YES.
OH, I'LL KEEP IT! YES!
Beaton: SO FAR, THIS MORNING'S GOING PRETTY SLOWLY.
VALERIE'S HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME LETTING GO OF THINGS.
SHE KEEPS WANTING TO LOOK AT THE DUMPSTER.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
PUTTING THIS IN THE DUMPSTER.
SHE'S NOT THAT COMFORTABLE
WITH OTHER PEOPLE MAKING DECISIONS FOR HER,
SO I'M KIND OF CONCERNED
WHETHER WE'RE GONNA GET THIS DONE TODAY OR NOT.
OKAY. I'D LIKE TO KEEP THAT.
VAL. THAT'S NEVER GONNA GET DONE.
THERE'S WAY TOO MUCH STUFF.
WE JUST -- YOU HAVE TO GIVE US, LIKE, A GREEN LIGHT
TO, LIKE, THROW STUFF.
YEAH, BUT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO THROW IMPORTANT STUFF.
I KNOW, BUT YOUR HOUSE IS CONDEMNED RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE NOT GONNA LET YOU BACK IN,
AND WE'RE ONLY HERE FOR ANOTHER SIX HOURS.
YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO LIVE IN YOUR HOUSE.
DONATE.
OKAY.
NORMALLY WE LIKE TO GIVE THE HOARDER MORE TIME
IN ORDER TO GO THROUGH THESE ITEMS
AND MAKE DECISIONS ON HER OWN.
BUT IN VALERIE'S SITUATION, WE DON'T HAVE TIME,
AND SHE HAD TO DELEGATE TO OTHER FOLKS.
I WON'T THROW ANYTHING AWAY.
OKAY. OKAY. PULL IT OUT.
IF YOU LET ME PULL IT OUT.
OKAY, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD DEAL.
OKAY. OKAY.
MM-HMM.
YOU GOOD WITH THAT, ADAM?
YEAH.
OKAY. YOU GOOD WITH THAT, VALERIE?
YEAH. YEAH. OKAY.
WHERE'S THE WHEELBARROW?
FILLED UP HALF OF IT.
SCOOT IT OVER.
[ CLATTERING ]
DONATE.
Beaton: WE HAD A SYSTEM WITH THE ORGANIZERS.
AS THINGS CAME OUT OF THE HOME,
THEY WERE SORTING AND PUTTING THINGS IN BAGS,
AND THEY WERE MOVING JUST FINE.
BUT THEN ADAM CAME OVER LIKE A TORNADO
AND JUST STARTED THROWING THINGS OUT OF THE HOUSE EVERYWHERE.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. MIGHT WANT TO SAVE THESE.
Buckwalter: THIS IS NOT HELPING.
I DO UNDERSTAND ADAM'S FRUSTRATION.
HE REALLY DOES WANT TO GET THE HOUSE CLEANED OUT,
BUT WITH A HOARDER, YOU HAVE TO APPROACH THINGS VERY DELICATELY.
THERE'S A LOT OF EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO ITEMS,
AND SOMETIMES THEY CAN HALT THE WHOLE PROCESS
IF YOU TRY TO MOVE TOO QUICKLY.
Adam: LOOK. THIS IS TRASH.
THIS IS -- THIS IS, LIKE, TRASH.
Beaton: ONCE VALERIE SAW ADAM
JUST THROWING THINGS OUT OF THE HOUSE, SHE HAD REAL ANXIETY.
HANG ON. HANG ON.
Adam: WE'RE SORTING ALL OF THIS.
JUST GOT TO GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE.
WHEN I FOUND OUT ADAM WAS IN MY BEDROOM,
I WAS REALLY ANGRY.
I WAS ANGRY ALL THE STUFF HAD BEEN PITCHED,
AND I WAS ANGRY HE HAD DONE IT.
I FELT...
VIOLATED BY IT.
THIS BUREAU WAS FULL OF STUFF.
HAS IT BEEN SAVED AND AM I STILL GONNA BE ABLE
TO GO THROUGH IT OR HAS IT BEEN PITCHED?
I'M UPSET.
I'M NOT HAPPY.
NOW...
OH, MY GOODNESS!
Narrator: A FEW STATES AWAY IN MICHIGAN,
COMPULSIVE HOARDER ANN HAS ALSO AGREED
TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A MAJOR CLEANOUT.
I WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE CALLED IT OFF,
BUT THIS LITTLE VOICE IN ME SAID,
"THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU PROMISED YOUR DAUGHTERS."
GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
All: GOOD MORNING.
Narrator: WITH A TEAM OF HAULERS READY TO BEGIN WORK,
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER JANET KESTER
LAYS OUT THE GROUND RULES FOR TODAY'S MASSIVE PROJECT.
I TALKED TO ANN LAST NIGHT, AND WE CAME UP WITH SOME RULES
ABOUT WHAT'S GONNA BE RECYCLED, TOSSED, AND KEPT.
SO, I WANT TO HAVE THIS POSTED FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE.
IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, WE NEED TO DEFER TO ANN,
AND SHE HAS THE ULTIMATE SAY-SO.
Man: ALL RIGHT. LET'S DO IT.
WATCH THAT BOX.
Woman: WHAT DO YOU WANT, ANN?
I'D RATHER KEEP THE TAPE.
OKAY.
I THINK EVERYBODY'S DOING A GREAT JOB AND EVERYTHING,
BUT I THINK THERE'S JUST SO MUCH STUFF,
AND UNTIL WE GOT INTO IT
AND REALLY STARTED CLEANING IT OUT,
YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH STUFF IS ACTUALLY THERE.
WHY?
Narrator: BUT AS MORE AND MORE OF HER BELONGINGS
ARE PULLED FROM THE HOARD,
THE FURTHER ANN REMOVES HERSELF FROM THE TASK AT HAND.
SHE'S SORT OF DISCONNECTING FROM THE PROCESS
AND NOT ENGAGING IN ANY WAY,
EITHER FIGHTING OR HELPING TO PARTICIPATE.
Ann: I'M NOT A FIGHTER.
I NEVER HAVE BEEN A FIGHTER IN MY LIFE,
AND I DON'T INTEND TO CHANGE AND FIGHT NOW.
SOME PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR ME,
SO LET THEM FEEL THAT WAY, 'CAUSE THEY'LL BE HAPPIER.
YOU'RE JUST SORT OF SITTING BACK AND WATCHING IT HAPPEN,
AND I'M WONDERING ABOUT
WHAT THE AFTER EFFECTS ARE GONNA BE FOR YOU.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE AFTER EFFECTS ARE GOING TO BE.
SO FAR, IT HASN'T HIT ME IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.
ARE YOU IN KIND OF A DENIAL? IS IT A NUMBNESS?
NO.
IS IT A --
JUST WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY.
AND, YOU KNOW, I MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT.
I MEAN, YOU CAN TELL ME -- BUT, SEE, THAT'S THE THING.
"THE WORLD GO BY."
WHEN I HEAR YOU SAY THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT MAKES ME WORRY.
IT'S MY WORRY THAT HER CALM,
MATTER-OF-FACT MANNER AT THIS POINT
IS LIKELY TO SET OFF SOMETHING LATER ON IN THIS PROCESS.
Claudette: I REALLY THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GONNA HELP HER
AND THAT WE WOULD MAKE PROGRESS TODAY,
AND THEN SHE WOULD SEE
WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE.
AND NOW I WONDER IF SHE EVEN WANTS THAT.
Kester: OKAY.
SO, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN FROM HERE?
WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
PEOPLE OUT OF MY FACE.
OKAY.
SO, ARE YOU THINKING THAT THE WHOLE PROCESS SHOULD STOP?
I MEAN, DO WE NEED TO JUST PUT EVERYTHING --
DID I SAY THAT?
NO, I'M JUST ASKING.
THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING, TO CLARIFY.
SO YOU JUST WANT PEOPLE OUT OF YOUR FACE.
YOU WANT US TO QUIT BUGGING YOU AND JUST GIVE YOU YOUR SPACE?
THAT'S AN IDEA.
OKAY.
I'D JUST LIKE YOU PEOPLE OUT OF MY FACE.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
Vickie: COULD YOU PLEASE LET THEM HELP YOU?
YOU NEED THIS HELP, OKAY?
YOU ALSO MAY EXIT.
NO. I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. 'CAUSE YOU KNOW WHY?
BECAUSE WE NEED TO GET THIS DONE.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
TO TAKE A WALK.
Vickie: WITH YOUR KEYS?
Ann: YOU GOT IT, BABY.
THEY'RE ASHAMED OF ME, I FEEL.
AND DOING THIS FOR THEM IS --
IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, "TAKE CARE OF THE GIRLS.
MAKE THEM HAPPY."
NOT "MAKE ME HAPPY."
MAKE THEM HAPPY.
[ MICROWAVE DINGS ]
Narrator: COMPULSIVE HOARDER ANN STORMED OFF
DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE CLEANOUT OF HER DUPLEX HOME.
THAT WAS NEARLY TWO MONTHS AGO.
SINCE THEN, SHE'S TAKEN POSITIVE STEPS
TOWARD IMPROVING HER LIVING SPACE.
MY TWO DAUGHTERS ARE COMING FOR A VISIT TO SEE THE PROGRESS
AND SHOW THEM HOW EVERYTHING'S CHANGED
SINCE THEY'VE BEEN HERE LAST.
I DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GONNA GO, BUT IT'S GONNA GO.
[ LAUGHS ]
HELLO.
HI. OH, WOW.
IT'S ALMOST DONE IN HERE.
WHEN I FIRST WALKED IN THE DOOR, I WAS, LIKE, JUST AMAZED.
I WAS ABLE TO WALK THROUGH THE DOOR, NOT CLIMB.
SEE?
WOW!
THIS IS NICE.
TABLE'S BACK TO NORMAL.
[ LAUGHS ]
VICKIE WAS, I BELIEVE, FLABBERGASTED, IN A WORD.
AND SHE PARTICULARLY LIKED THE KITCHEN,
THE COLORS AND THE FLOORING
AND WHAT THEY DID TO THE CUPBOARDS.
THAT'S PRETTY NICE.
YOU DID A REALLY GOOD JOB IN HERE.
THE OTHER SIDE, I FEEL THAT IT'S ABOUT 75% COMPLETE.
WE JUST HAVE TO DO ON THAT SIDE WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE.
AND THEN FINDING A TENANT.
OH, MY GOSH!
THIS IS NICE. OH, MY GOSH! SHE HAS A DRESSER AND A BED.
BEFORE, SHE JUST -- SHE HAD BOXES AND PAPERS EVERYWHERE
AND SHE COULDN'T GET OUT.
SHE COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE.
YOU KNOW, AND NOW SHE'S GOT A HUGE BED TO SLEEP IN.
IT'S NOT A FIRE HAZARD.
NO.
YAY!
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL PROBABLY THANK YOU RIGHT NOW.
[ CHUCKLES ]
YOU KNOW, SHE CAME AROUND SLOWLY,
BUT, I MEAN, I AM HAPPY THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THIS NOW,
AND, FOR HER, I'M GLAD THAT IT'S COME THIS FAR.
Claudette: AREN'T YOU WARM AT NIGHT
WHEN YOU CLIMB IN BED AND GO TO BED?
YEAH, I STILL HAVE THE COVERS UP TO HERE.
WELL, WHO DOESN'T IN THIS WEATHER?
[ LAUGHTER ]
I THINK SHE'S FINALLY GOTTEN TO THE POINT
WHERE SHE'S READY TO LET STUFF GO,
AND I'M PROUD OF HER FOR THAT.
ONE DAY AT A TIME IS BASICALLY ALL I CAN DO, ALL I CAN SAY,
AND THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER, I THINK.
Vickie: JUST KEEP IT THIS WAY.
PROVE IT TO US AND KEEP IT THIS WAY.
OKAY. WILL DO.
IT LOOKS AWESOME. YOU DID A GREAT JOB.
Valerie: WE'RE ALL WEARING GREEN TODAY.
HI. I'M GOOD.
Julie: GOOD.
HOW'S ELLA?
SHE'S DOING GREAT.
Narrator: BACK EAST, VALERIE HAS CONTINUED
THE EMOTIONAL TASK OF CLEANING OUT HER HOME.
HER NEIGHBORS, AND NEW PARENTS, ADAM AND JULIE,
HAVE BEEN HOPING FOR SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.
Adam: JUST FROM SEEING PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT OF THE HOUSE,
I CAN TELL THAT SHE'S BEEN -- THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ACTIVITY.
I KNOW SHE'S TRYING. PUT IT THAT WAY.
Narrator: TODAY, CITY HEALTH INSPECTOR JIM FEENEY
IS COMING BY TO ULTIMATELY ASSESS
WHETHER THE PROGRESS IS ENOUGH TO SAVE HER HOUSE.
HI, GUYS.
Valerie: HI, JIM.
CAME TO CHECK OUT THE HOUSE. HOW'S EVERYONE DOING?
Adam: GOOD.
IT COULD BE A REALLY BIG DAY FOR VAL TODAY.
IF EVERYTHING IS WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE
AND THE HOME'S BACK INTO COMPLIANCE,
WE COULD LIFT THE CONDEMNATION.
IT'S EXCITING.
HOPING TO SEE A LOT OF PROGRESS.
WELL, I THINK YOU'LL SEE. I THINK YOU'LL SEE A LOT.
IT'S NOT DONE, BUT YOU'LL SEE A LOT.
YOU WILL.
I'M EXCITED. YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK?
SURE. YEAH.
ALL RIGHT. LEAD THE WAY.
Feeney: VAL, THIS LOOKS AMAZING.
YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB. I LOVE THE NEW FLOOR.
THANK YOU.
OUTSTANDING.
YEAH. I'M HAPPY WITH IT.
YOU'VE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB.
I SEE YOU GOT SOME NEW APPLIANCES.
LOOKS LIKE THE PLUMBING'S IN GOOD ORDER.
THE FLOOR LOOKS BEAUTIFUL. I'M VERY IMPRESSED.
I'M HAPPY TO SEE THIS.
THANK YOU.
OH, VAL, THIS IS AMAZING.
YEAH, YOU CAN SEE THE FLOOR.
YEAH, LAST TIME I WAS IN HERE,
MY HEAD WAS DRAGGING ON THE CEILING.
Valerie: IT'S BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT GETTING RID OF ALL THE STUFF.
SOME DAYS I'M MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN OTHERS.
IT'S BEEN A LONG HAUL.
VAL, YOU'VE -- YOU'VE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS.
THIS LOOKS AWESOME. YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB.
SO, WHY DON'T WE GO TAKE THE SIGN OFF THE --
OFF THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE?
SOUNDS GOOD.
ALL RIGHT.
VAL IS ABSOLUTELY A SUCCESS STORY.
SO I LIFTED THE CONDEMNATION ON VAL'S HOME.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE GOAL WE WERE LOOKING FOR ALL ALONG.
HERE YOU GO, VAL.
THANK YOU, JIM.
CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU.
I'M GLAD THIS IS BEHIND ME. I'M REALLY GLAD THIS IS OVER.
I'M GRATEFUL TO BE WHERE I AM TODAY.
I REALLY AM.