Hoarding Revisited

 

"We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing."                                                                             

                                                                 -Billy Graham

I never thought I'd be quoting Billy Graham, but I find his quote very appropriate for this blog entry. Compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding or disposophobia) is defined by Wikipedia as "the excessive acquisition of possessions (and failure to use or discard them), even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary." We experienced this disorder firsthand! After watching a recent episode of Hoarders on A&E, I recalled an experience I had in 2007 with Gary Germer & Associates. Thanks to Gary's inability to tell a crying, elderly woman "no", we ended up digging for treasures in a hoarder house belonging to the client's aunt. It was a modest 2 bedroom home with an unfinished attic and basement, yet we still managed to fill up 10 of the largest dumpsters I'd ever seen in my life. They were the 40 yard size that are so tall, they have a ladder welded onto the side.

(A 40 Yard Dumpster 7’W x 7’H x 22’L)

This was in addition to the countless truck loads of recycling and donations we hauled out. After nearly 250 boxes of clothing, the donation outlet we were using asked us to stop bringing in anything else! We had to drive miles out of the area to donate to different charities. Ed Kitson of Community Warehouse (you won't soon forget this client, will ya Ed?!) helped lead the charge of determining what was donation worthy. I was in charge of the guest bedroom and I'll never forget what I encountered there. It was filled with debris. The door wouldn't even close. It was piled up to within a foot of the ceiling. As I begin to peel back the layers, it was like traveling back in time. I could see how the rubble had been accumulated over the years. My determination was fueled with the hope of uncovering lost treasures! I'd hold my breath when opening up newly uncovered boxes. I just knew that the next $1000 collectible was waiting to be unwrapped! Instead, I found endless supplies of used pantyhose, pen parts, empty perfume bottles and lots of rubberbands. Who saves their old pantyhose and thinks, "Ya know what? I might use these again one day!" There were many discarded newspapers among the rubble that acted as a sort of time-line for the hoard. I found newspapers from the 1990's, the 1980's and the 1970's. Finally, once I reached the bottom of the pile there were newspapers printed during the 1950's. Unbelievable. I ended up developing a mysterious rash that remained with me throughout that entire project!

I was thrilled to put that job behind us. The treasures we were promised never materialized. Sometimes I still have nightmares from what we discovered in the unplugged freezer down in the basement. I didn't know there was even a stage beyond rotten and decayed, but there is! Needless to say, we no longer leave Gary alone with crying little old ladies. They are his kryptonite!

Hoarding is a serious matter. We suggest that if you know anyone who needs help with hoarding, you should contact the International OCD Foundation for help.

 

Comments

[Elizabeth Kelly]

Oh yes sir, what a job it was. I too worked this particular hoard estate. It was truly mind boggling and overwhelming. I will never forget this experience. The A&E show has shed a lot of light on this disorder and why our back breaking help was not exactly appreciated. I remember broken useless items being retrieved from the dumpster by the owner.
I had the mystery rash too. It was my pleasure to work with you there. I will never forget that experience.