What an incredible day yesterday was! I just have to share it. This story may be long but it is worth the read.
We took on a new project last week, a large-scale redesign in the interest of future equity for the client, a young man in his early twenties.
I met this man two years ago, at a local nightspot. He asked me to dance, and after about a minute of chitchat, we realized we were related distantly on my grandmother's side.
A few short weeks after that, he was in a car accident. It was very, very bad, and no one expected his recovery. Some doubted his very survival. He was sent to a hospital in New Orleans, due to the massive head and body trauma he experienced. Lots of prayers were said by our small, rural community, and we would hear updates every few months.
Still in a coma.
In a semi-coma.
Said a word today.
Squeezed a hand today.
Last week I saw him for the second time in my life. He's out of the hospital now, living with his parents, wearing a brace, still learning to walk and talk, and getting on with the business of life.
We were contacted by his family to redesign the house he bought for himself, that he had been working on renovating right before the accident. His family wanted us to assist in completing his plans for the house, using his money still in savings, in anticipation for the day when the doctors say he can live unassisted.
This young man can answer yes or no, but cannot truly communicate in the capacity that our regular clients can. He gets frustrated. He knows what is going on for the most part, but he cannot really contribute his two cents. And here come these ladies who are going to be making big decisions and reinventing many aspects of his house over the course of the next six months, making areas more accessible, safe, functional, and beautiful.
Since the accident, change is a challenge for him that he struggles with every day. He is not wheelchair-bound, but movement is a very difficult and a slow process for him even still, and decisions about the layout are important. On the financial side, the investment he made in this home is crucial, as he is disabled now. This house is his main asset. Building up the equity is crucial.
We worked up some plans for him, and we created each room virtually, as it will appear when we are through renovating and decorating. Yesterday, we presented our plan as a slideshow. I personally was very nervous about whether or not he would like at all what we had in store for his house.
As the slideshow morphed each room in his house, he said "WHOA!" and pointed to some of the specific things we changed in each room and we could describe each item or reconfiguration of space. His face lit up with pleasure, and when he asked if he liked it, he nodded vigorously and said "Oh Yeah!"
It was very emotional for me personally, and I was never, ever so grateful for the time I have invested the past two years learning to Virtually Stage. I don't know how else he, or his family, or even WE could have made our way through this redesign without it with confidence of his approval. Seeing these images will help him internalize the changes we will be making to the interior and exterior and begin to the process to accept them, which is a huge challenge. We now know he likes the colors. We know he likes the furniture and layout. He understands we will change many aspects of his house, and he has approved those changes.
It was the best day for "Feature This... Real Estate Staging and Interior Decor" that we have ever had.
~Michelle
Certified Professional Stager, Feature This... Real Estate Staging, www.FeatureThisDotDotDot.com
Lead Virtual Designer, www.CurbAppealForDummies.com
President, Acadiana Real Estate Staging Association, www.AcadianaRESA.com
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Full Service Interior Decorating and Certified Professional Staging Team, We specialize in Virtual Staging, Curb Appeal, and helping DIY-ers attain a faster, more lucrative sale.
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Wow! That's amazing. How did you learn about virtual staging?
Hi Heather, thanks!
I taught myself. I wish there was a class to take, but there isn't.
~Michelle
Well, good job. It sounds very satisfying!
Michelle ~ What a very satisfying feeling you must have had knowing that you were able to show this young man what his place would look like, and that you were able to get his input on it. I'm sure he felt like he had some control over something in his life, since recent events have probably given him less control. I got teary just reading your story, and I think it is great that you can give this young man something to look forward to; this will give him something to take his mind off of his health.
Hi Kathy.
Yes, we are very thrilled to be given the opportunity to recreate his space in a manner in which he will be able to enjoy. I was trepidacious at first, since I could not really know at the time we first met on the project site how much he was understanding about who we were and why we were there. He didn't remember meeting me at all.
But when his mom said he had been excitedly anticipating our virtual design meeting yesterday, I felt hopeful he knew we were there for him. I had no idea what kind of reaction we would receive. It's his money and his house we are talking about. I didn't know how much of the decision to hire us was based on his own desire, if at all.
It was a wonderful feeling as we left, knowing we were planning changes he really wanted to have done. The house has some really serious design issues, as many custom-builds do. And, he had his own plan of attack in mind prior to the accident. It was a shot in the dark, I felt. But it worked for him, and we start the renovations this upcoming Monday.
I hope he continues to progress in his recovery so he can live in this house by the time it is ready, hopefully in the fall of this year. But until then, we have A LOT of work to do, and contractors to oversee.
~Michelle
Michelle this story is so fantastic. Thanks for sharing and I am so excited about the benefits of virtual staging - if nothing else how it can change someone's life.
Dale
What an inspiring story. I am emotional and excited for you all. I am a mother and I can't imagine the suffering his family must have gone through after that accident. I am happy for them that they didn't lose him and that he is doing well and has hopes for an independent future. I can only imagine how awesome you feel to be part of something so special.
Michelle,
What a GREAT story! I can only imagine how this moment made you feel. The virtual changes are fantastic and will really open up the space in your clients house. Hopefully your clients condition will improve rapidly and allow him to enjoy this beautiful space! Please keep us updated as things progress.
Good for you, I would love to do this type of work all the time. It always is a humbling experience.
Wow Michelle, your story gave me chills. We truly are in a "giving" business and hard great it is that you and your team could be there to create something wonderful for this young man's future. I'm sure that YOUR plans will help speed up his recovery as he now has so much to look forward to.
Congratulations!
Thanks EVERYONE for feeling this powerful moment with me in this story.
I got an email from his mom today.
"Hi Michelle, Well we have watched the presentation over and over, I just let it play and our son watches it and says"Whoa over and over." He seems very pleased and is interested in all you have shown him."
I too, hope this helps him make some more strides in his recovery, He has a lot to look forward to, and we have a LOT of work to perform in the mean time.
~Michelle
What a beautiful, inspiring story! This is why we are in the business. I just love reading this and thanks for sharing. Please update us Michelle.
This kind of story is why I don't believe in "chance." What a privilege to be in a place to be such a blessing to this young man and his family!
I with ya, Laurie. It is a privilege!
And Cathy, I will be updating the story, I promise.
~Michelle
Michelle, it is easy to tell why you do what you do, you LOVE it, and it is your gift. It's wonderful to transcend and have this type experience. Good for you being "chosen" for this rewarding life experience. Terrylynn
That touched my heart! I am so glad you had such a wonderful opportunity to make someones life better! There is no better feeling :) Be proud.
I love happy endings, and believe that this young man will get back to normal. Excellent story!
Hi Michelle, great story and I know you will make it all come true for your client.You can off learning many different tasks to run your business, but I think you have found one learning curve that was worth it for you.
I don't think I will ever spend the time to learn a program to do this though. Just not my interest. I pay someone else to do it for me and that seems to work for me.
Hello Michelle -- Now aren't you so thankful you have worked so hard with that program . . . I'm envious of your determination because it is really an incredible opportunity you can offer your clients. How rewarding to be able to help your relative achieve his goals as well . . . an unexpected and wonderful benefit for you! Now when you are ready for a trip to beautiful Oregon and teach me I'm ready!
How frustrating that must be for him - not being able to communicate well. How wonderful that you were able give him visuals. What program did you use for the virtual staging?
What a wonderful opportunity you have to make someone's life better. That is great. Your plan also looks great. I know that you taught yourself but would you mind sharing what program you use for virtual staging?
Thanks everybody!
I use several programs, as no one program does everything I require. Picture Painter is the most versatile, but I push that program further than it was intended to go, I'm sure.
But it is so helpful. I'm very grateful for the technology! And the clients!
~Michelle
Michelle,
Thanks for an uplifting story. I hope you'll continue to blog about his progress.
Kathy
Thanks for reading, Kathy.
Yes, we will. Right now the contractors are tearing out some walls for us and adding a jacuzzi tub, proper ceilings and lighting. We can't wait to get in there and start this project in earnest! So many changes to make to accomodate this amazing person and make his life more comfortable!
~Michelle