Helping People as Public Adjusters

In a small neighborhood in Clermont, there lived an older couple by the name of Joe and Wilma Smith. They were a sweet couple, with two rather excitable chihuahuas who were eager to greet me. They had a nice home, but a bad roof.

When I arrived, I was able to speak with Joe immediately, who was just preparing to leave for work. Joe was a technician for the Boeing 747s of Southwest—as you can imagine, the man had not been seeing much work lately. Even airplane technicians were not spared the destructive and devastating reach of Covid-19.

The Smith’s roof had suffered water damage significant enough that the ceiling was beginning to show water spots. Now, what else can come from water damage, readers? MOLD, and lots of it. Mold is extremely unhealthy for everyone, but especially older folk. The water spots were significant towards the back of the home, but they also showed a trail to the master bedroom. Joe was sure that water wasn’t gathering there; but we, as housing professionals, know that water only has one rule, and that is to spread to the maximum of its capabilities. I explained as much to Joe.

Well, readers, his life story suddenly got much sadder. His wife, Joe said, was resting in the master bedroom. She had just returned from her chemo appointment. She had stage 4 cancer.

Oh reader, how my heart broke for him. A failing job, a breaking roof, and a sick wife. To make matters worse, these poor people were not even aware of their growing danger of mold until I could point it out to them.

I am no doctor, and certainly am not the director of Southwest, but something small I could do was at least help them live in a clean and healthy environment.

This is what we do as public adjusters.

We aren’t winning any Nobel Peace prizes, but we do help the everyday people alleviate some of the everyday struggles. I’m not making millions, but I’m extremely proud of what I do.

Stay safe, friends.