The woman had grown up in poverty, but she managed to work her way through college and was a counselor and therapist at an elementary school/community hall. Her husband went legally blind, and she developed severe arthritis in her hip. She had an operation but couldn't work for a few months. They had three kids to support and the house was mouldy and bug-infested and falling apart because they couldn't afford to fix it. The city was going to evict them and tear the house down if they didn't get it repaired.