Good neighbors can make great friends that we can rely on whenever our family is not around. In many cases they are the ones who help us overcome certain difficulties and obstacles. They are closest to us, so whenever there is an emergency, they are the first to contact.
In the case of a lovely elderly woman whom the neighbors call “My Lady,” those living next door went a step further and helped her get a second chance for a better life.
Lucy Ashen from Fulham, England, who happens to be My Lady’s neighbor is really fond of everyone living around. She always makes sure to greet the passersby and wish them a great day. But, Lucy could never assume My Lady was hiding a secret from the rest of the neighbors until that day.
The 76-year old woman was experiencing mental health issues for years, but no one knew how severe her condition was because what was going on behind closed doors was a mystery.
What Lucy witnessed once she entered her neighbor’s one bedroom apartment saddened her to the core. The conditions were so awful that she couldn’t believe her eyes. Lucy could never imagine anyone living in such a place.
It happened that My Lady locked herself out of her flat and couldn’t get in, and that’s when she asked Lucy to get inside through the open window.
The flat was extremely filthy. It smelled really bad and it appeared that My Lady hadn’t have a bath in thirteen years. Her physical and mental state prevented her from keeping her home and herself clean, and that was the most heartbreaking thing ever.
“There was no food, filthy clothes, nobody to help her bathe and just never-ending loneliness and despair. What I saw when she finally let me in will stay with me forever! It was horrific! NOBODY should live like that!”
Lucy knew she had to intervene and make things right. She was determined to help her neighbor spend the rest of her days away from the dirt and the clutter. Without hesitating a bit, she started cleaning, sorting, and disinfecting.
But, the thing was that most of the appliances weren’t functioning properly, so My Lady was in need of new household supplies, furniture, and even clothes.
In order for her to be able to get back into her flat as soon as possible, Lucy asked help from other people as well. She posted a plea on her Facebook page and she received messages from strangers offering to buy new items.
Almost all of the things needed for the place to become a home were gathered in less than 24 hours. Lucy was happy knowing there are so many companies, charities, health professionals, and others who were willing to step in.
“…with the kindness and generosity of the people who donated items, I have been able to turn her house into a home. She has everything she could need, a bed to sleep in (she was sleeping on the floor) good clean furniture, fresh new bedding, beautiful new clothes, three meals a day, and most importantly, company. She truly has been saved from a lonely and degrading life, she has been given her dignity back and I intend for her to live out the rest of her life in comfort and surrounded by love.”
Thanks to Lucy and the people’s interest in the well-being of My Lady, she could have a normal life. Lucy even created a Facebook page where she was posting about My Lady’s journey and progress.
This whole experience provided My Lady with a completely new life. She understood the value of having someone who can take care of you. Now that she received a completely renovated place to live and the much needed bath, she resembles a happy person that was once hidden under the filth.
She can now spend her days in the company of her neighbors and her TV that she didn’t use in years only because it was set to a foreign language and the poor lady didn’t know how to fix it.
My Lady has loved chatting with the strangers who have filtered in and out of her flat to help, as well as the conversations she’s had with Lucy while she cleans the home.
“We have laughed, sung and danced around the front room! She had her first car ride in years. The sun was out, the windows were down, the music was blaring and she was singing along! She loved it!”
It is amazing how little it takes for a life to be saved. What Lucy had to offer was endless support, kindness, and devotion. This should serve as an example for the rest of us that we should never let anyone around us struggle.
