Asked how long she can continue to wage war against the system, O’Reilly, who lost two vehicles in addition to the damage to her house, admitted that she is nearing the end of her rope. Eventually, she explained, the desire to restore her life will be overpowered by the urge to get on with living it. One day soon, she said, she will give up trying to climb the mountain of paperwork that stands between her and what she believes she is owed.

“Just yesterday I said, ‘That’s it. I’ve had it,’” she said, shaking her head.

Sitting at the kitchen counter, Jean reminded her mother that it wasn’t the first time she had made that declaration. But one of these days, if the process continues to drag on, it will be the last.

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