Whittakers-Summer 2023 

Here's a link to a GoFundMe campaign to help the Whittaker family purchase a new home: gofund.me/c3d062e7. For those preferring other ways to donate, you can also use PayPal @marklaita824 or cashapp $swumarklaita.

I rarely have time to read comments on my videos, but yesterday I took a peak and after reading a couple very sweet comments, I decided to read more. After reading many comments yesterday (all of them very kind and compassionate) it made my day. I’m so proud of the community we’ve built here. I think this is my proudest moment since starting SWU.

Thank you for not judging this family and treating them with respect like they deserve. I am an accountant married to an aerospace engineer whom I share a 3 year old child with and we live really comfortably but it wasn't always that way for me. I was raised by a single mother who was struggling to make ends meet. Our house was falling apart, filthy, our couches all ripped up, and our showers were moldy. I was always too embarrassed to invite my friends over growing up from past experiences of having people over. They were always visibly uncomfortable they would try to hide but i can always tell therefore I never liked having anyone over. A lot of my aunts, uncle, etc judged our family and would say we were the poorest of the whole family. They eventually stopped inviting my mom over for family reunions because of course what could we offer at the time when we lived in poverty. It was such a hard time for me but now im grateful for it because now I know who my real friends are and it motivated me to give my mom a better life. My son has never known what poverty is like and will never know what it's like. It is sad how many people will humiliate you when you have nothing.

I felt so incredibly sorry for Ray as he continuously tried to point out his painful knee.If it is indeed arthritis, treatment can be sought to relief his pain.Imagine the agony he is going through without the ability to express it adequately..His body language and behaviour, however, clearly displays his continuous discomfort. As a nurse, I have such empathy for him, my heart breaks

Please don't let Ray suffer. He should be on Celibrex ( arthritis medicine) he will have no more pain. Someone needs to take him to the doctor

Someone needs to help them clean up this place 😢 no one should have to live like that.

I hope this shut all those haters up saying theye weren't capable of caring for an injured dog. He looks healthy and happy as can be

This family is so precious. They sure have relaxed and opened up a lot since I’ve first started watching. Timmy and Lorraine really have just blossomed, talking so much more. I sure hope they get the money they need for the new house. That will be such a big blessing for them.

I always get so excited to see updates on the family. I just love genuine they all are. The beginning of the video, when Lorraine came up saying and giving hand shakes and hugs just melted my heart. I truly love how the videos have made them happy and more and more people are looking out for them and saying hi and interacting with them.

Mark and Lauren are rockstars! Thank you and the Whittaker’s for giving us a video to bring a smile to our faces❤️

Nice to see the family doing much better, I can't help feel like Ray is not doing well I hope he can get some help with his poor knees . And Lorraine looks like she's doing much better. Thank you guys for sharing with us all

Wow almost $90,000 donated already toward a new home for them!! How amazing that would be!! It broke my heart to know Ray was hurting so bad … I wish a dr could see this video and know his pain. Mark what u r doing for this family is INCREDIBLE ❤️

I pray that Betty writes down the family information, such as birthdays, etc, so that they’ll have it just in case something happens to her. She seems to be the family’s historian. I wish Mark would hire professional cleaners to come in and give the house a once over. It really needs it and dear sweet Betty is simply not capable of doing it herself. They had no reaction to mice being in the house, I thought that was rather strange. The house is probably bio hazardous by now. Betty really needs some help with the cleaning and the guys there can certainly take the garbage out daily.

The way Timmy and Lorraine light up when Lauren comes in makes me tear up 😭💗

Ray definitely needs to see a doctor about his knee. You can see it’s really bothering him, he has been complaining for like 2 years.

I hope Ray's knee pain is dealt with and his health gets better. Dude is a cool person 🙌🏻

It makes my whole day when Mark brings us back to see everyone . I love to see Rays face light up when he sees him . Thankyou for another great episode.

Timmy is always busy. He’s either coloring, writing, or doing a word search. He’s always keeping his mind active. I love that. This family has really grown on me.

Lorraine saying "hi" absolutely melted me. She doesn't ever talk, and the fact she got up, all excited and said hi to both of them. Just melted me

I’ve never seen Lorraine be so talkative before the videos. That is so cool how she’s so happy to see you guys❤

Timmy and his coloring book make me smile. Keeping his mind busy! Ray showing off his new pants so proudly… and then of course Lorraine comfortable as can be. Mark you are a absolute good hearted man for helping this family thrive again. ❤

Oh my heart just about burst when Lorraine jumped up and greeted you both. The growth is incredible. We need more Marks in this world.

Loraine sure came to life when she saw Lauren, I’ve never heard her speak before, it melted my heart. God bless you both.

If this family drank alcohol or there were a few alcoholics in this family, these documentaries wouldn’t even work. That’s what makes these video documentaries so wholesome. Love this family. They literally can’t be blamed for how they are. They didn’t choose this. They are doing the best that they can. God bless them and everyone that is helping them.

If they get the new house maybe we can all donate to pay for Betty to have a person come in a couple times a week to help her clean. Trying to take care of everyone has to be overwhelming for her . She's so precious.

I'm sure they all have disability checks, Social Services have people who will take them to the grocery store,help to keep the home clean and take them to Dr appointments. Someone's not doing their job at the County.

Poor Ray ! I think the reason that he’s laying on the couch isn’t isolation but it’s because of his knee. He could possibly need knee surgery or steroid shots or something to get him out of pain. He really does need medical attention. I also want to thank you Mark for all that you’re doing for them ♥️ Our country is filled with people like this and if it weren’t for people like you then no one would be getting the help and attention that they need

There's something kinda comforting, knowing that no matter what's going on in the world, the Whittaker's and their dogs will be right there on the porch... Feel better soon Ray ❤

Timmy going straight to heaven he just so happy and calm!

The first time I watched these videos I was so ignorant, I looked at these people as if they weren’t human. I admit that. This video really shows me what a strong, healthy family dynamic the Whittakers have. Not only with how they treat each other but their dogs too. Wonderful people.

Look at Lorraine go!! I love that she’s talking more!! And Ray, ugh, my heart…he needs to see a doctor for his knee. He’s probably in so much pain. He laid down and that was it. He’s usually not like that. I’m so happy to see that go fund me total so far. I know that you’ll be able to get that money no problem. I’ll donate this Friday. So awesome for them to be able to have a new home with their own rooms. New bedding for Ray definitely. I love this family! You’re an angel mark. ❤ Edit: Ray is like begging for help by showing you his knee every time you go over to him. Please keep us updated if he sees a doctor. I hope he’s able to.

Kenneth sure has been staying around a lot now. And other family members id say there getting a lot of there money .

When Ray pulled the seat up for you, I was just thinking how kind and respectful his heart is. ❤️ I hope he gets some help for his knee. I also hope they get that house next door, because they deserve a nice, clean home to live in. Let's make that happen!

This family is a testament that happiness is a state of mind. They don't care that they don't have the best home, clothes, shoes, social standing etc . . . they are just happy for what they have and for being with each other. You can tell that they would do anything for each other. This was compelling and I thank you for bringing them to us.

You can see how much theyre life has improved since you started helping them. It makes me so happy to see them all smiling and exited to see you. You are a my hero.

I was sitting in a bout of depression that I'm working on after finally ending my dance with alcoholism, and have binge'd out on the videos of this family and the comments....and I want to express so much immense love to Mark for making these videos and shining such a beautiful light on the beauty of aspects of life often shoved into the darkness....and so much love to the people in the comments showing such immense compassion, empathy and humanity...you give me hope for the state of our species.....and to this family, thank you for showing that you can be happy just by being. Sometimes - probably all the time - that is just enough. We just tend to forget. This series has given me a deep remembering, and my soul thanks you all. If you're reading still, I don't know you but I love you anyway for being a human in this human experience with me, trying to figure it out and doing our best. You're doing great. Celebrate the little victories, and always be compassionate. Every story matters. Including yours. What an amazing channel........helping me remember what an amazing world....

I love Betty. She keeps them all together and always happy! So glad you are able to help them.

Lorraine seems to opening up to you more and more and hearing her talk a ill bit just made my heart smile! And what a sweet gesture of Ray pulling u up a chair to sit and watch some TV with him! Everyone seems to be more happier now then they were at first...Betty loves her visitors. I would love to meet up with a bunch of subscribers and go down there and help out in anyway we can...maybe cleaning inside the house and porch and whatever fixing outside might need just to go do something to help Incase they can't get the new house they'll at least have a clean home to live in

I’ve been following you for a long time and what you have done for these people is nothing short of a miracle. With your money you could be sitting on a beach somewhere but you chose to do this. It’s amazing. Your amazing. All the best to you.

I, probably like a lot of people, began watching this family as a kind of curiosity. Upon first glance, they may seem a little different than most people you'll run into in life, but they really seem to be nice, loving group. I actually cried at one of these videos, when he came back to visit and was greeted with smiles and hugs. It's good to be reminded that we shouldn't judge others unfairly.

I love just sitting on the porch with you, listening to all the conversations. Watching the dogs play and nobody on their phone..they spend more quality time together than anyone...happy safe travels Mark💙🌎✌️

This is the first time I’ve seen Lorraine act that way. Was so eager to greet them and give hugs. So awesome. I donated for their home and I hope everyone else does too. It would help them so much and is a way to give back for them opening their life up to us.

Timmy wouldn’t change his coloring book for pizza! Good boy! And all those dogs wagging their tails just melted my heart.❤️

does she have on pants?????? She keeps tugging on her shirt!! First of, how can a house in that area cost $219,000? No way. Not to discourage the people that may donate money, I hope that you are aware that this new house will look bad in a matter of years. However, might not smell this bad for a long time.

I live In the UK and think our current cost of living crisis is hard but when you see the most lovely family living like this it really makes you realize how lucky us Brits are. I've not much money but donated towards the new house. I hope rays knee can be treated too, felt he wasn't himself on this visit x thanks mark for your channel and letting people into such interesting lives such as the Whittaker's

I just love your relationship with people, Mark. The donations are flooding in already! I can't wait to see the next update of them in their new home

Mark you are an inspiration to mankind. You restore my faith in humanity more and more just by being so genuine and always willing to help those in need. I can’t believe in 1 days there’s 77k raised already! That’s absolutely incredible! I feel like they will be able to get that house before winter at this rate!

@ 1:12 hearing ray’s scream at the passing by truck absolutely cracked me up. he’s adorable lol. i love this family so much.

Mark, I've noticed how comfortable the whole family has gotten with you now. It's like night & day from the start of this until now. You can see the happiness and pride when they are showing you things or explaining things to you. Really hell of a job you've done well with them. People really enjoy watching the family. (Or any regulars on your channel). I'm sure their dogs need vet care too. Id sure donate to that. I'm sure Timmy needs coloring supplies and colors/pencils. You are doing such a fabulous job out there. Safe travels.

They need their own channel. Weekly or monthly videos. I can't get enough of this precious family. I hope they're able to get that new house. Sending love and prayers to the Whittaker family!❤

Maybe this happened but if not they really need a resource helper to get them good care for Rays knee etc. I’m sure they qualify for resources/assistance. They need a case worker of some type. To help get health check ups dental work etc.

Wow, Lorraine! What joy to see her get up, smiling and hugging. Such true emotions.

It's so great to see Lorraine interact finally. Such sweet folks, so glad you are now considered part of their family.

Nice to see how talkative Lorraine was! 🤗 I’m so happy they have visitors from all over the country. Mostly, I’m grateful that you came into their lives to share such innocence and family with all of us. Thank you for all that you do for them & the immense joy that you’ve added to their lives as well as your viewers. God bless you 🙏🏼🩵🩵🩵

Sweet old ray just wants a bud to watch tv with

I adore Timmy. I’d guess that he has the mind of a 4-5 year but he’s always so happy when Mark visits. And he was so proud about his coloring book. And he did such a good job!

Love seeing these guys so content in their own little part of the world. And those dogs look happy and very well cared for too.

The way Ray just yelled and waved at the passing car, the things they do make me laugh & it's so great to see them all in good health! Bless them all

Larry is unsettling. His sudden heavy appearance after money was given and his clear cognitive control and trust he has on the rest of the family is concerning. He is very sly and calculated in his speech and demeanor. He seems to be reaping the most benefit in a family that deeply deserves a better life.

Mark- There are so many layers of thoughts and emotions that come up when I watch these folks. The level of compassion and love that you demonstrate towards the Whittakers in a world ( and country) that is is sick with a lack of compassion is remarkable. Can we chip in and find a cleaning/maintenance service for them? I know it’s hard up there, but if they get a new place they need someone to help them keep it up so it doesn’t get trashed. Love and helping others is the only real thing that remains in this world long after we are gone.

What you have done and created here Mark, is nothing short of a minor miracle. Amazing reach and way more interesting than shooting glamour shots! Kudos to you!

Very humble ❤. Mark asked Betty if it'd make her happy if she got a new house and she didn't hear him correctly, but she says she's happy 😊. She's happy with her life the way it is. I wish there were more people in this world that just appreciated what they have at the moment and quit trying to compete with the neighborhood. Peace and love to Mark, Lauren and the Whittaker Family ❤

you should raise money for rays knee help

A new house next door?!? That would be wonderful! I wish for a helper for Betty. To help her scrub the floors and do smaller upkeep things in the home. That would be very helpful to this special family! I wonder if Ray could be given some Motrin and Tylenol a couple of times a day. That knee pain has to be miserable.

Two Whittaker family vids in two days? Awesome! I see a few families like them in other parts of West Virginia and it makes me so happy that they're beating treated so well. That's the first time I've seen Lorraine talk and hug, shes such a sweetheart. Mark, you and Lauren are making the world a better place.

it warms my heart to see Lorraine warm up to you so much over the years. She has been trying to communicate more and more with you.

You know what’s really amazing is not a single fight or back talking amongst them ….and not one curse word !! Where I’m well off and drop F-bombs all over the place. Puts some self evaluation of your life.

In our affluent, bored society, it takes a family like the Whittakers to remind us of what it takes to be happy. They never let adversity interfere with loving and supporting each other. They show us that, even in the worst of circumstances, we can still CHOOSE how we respond to life's challenges. Happiness is not a passive emotional state; it's a conscious decision & moral obligation to others. In many ways, the Whittakers are living a richer life than the Kardashians. Mark, you've done the Whittakers and all of us a great service!

Poor Ray, you can tell that he really is in a lot of pain with his knee. Praying for the Whittaker’s. It is really great how respectful and kind you are to them all, Mark!

Unfortunately, I think the new house would just end up the same eventually. They need someone to come in on a regular basis to help keep it clean and healthy.

Is larry swindling them out of the money?

My goodness Lorraine has become much more verbal.... I believe you are helping these people out very well mark..

What you guys do for this family is unbelievable…you’re great human beings

Did the part get cut out of when Kenneth tells the reason he moved his building down the road. He said that Ray and Timmy kept breaking in stealing his snack cakes and sodas.

While watching this my husband pointed out how amazing it is that this family knows exactly what the other one is saying with out even having full words! Just beautiful I love the Whittakers and really hope everyone can pull together like Mark said even 5 dollars and help them get that new house!

Thank you Mark for the bonus time with the Whittakers. I honestly can’t get enough of this honest and wholesome family. I would love to see them move to Beverly Hills, but next door is just fine. I can’t think of a more deserving family. I am blessed to have spent time with them. Poor Ray, his knee is really bringing him down. I pray he finds relief. Somehow I can understand his and Timmy’s way of communicating, just one more surprise the Whittakers have blessed me with. Thank you Mark for bringing this blessing into my life.

Wait a minute. That house in poor, economically repressed WV, in the middle of nowhere is TWO HUNDRED NINETEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS??? Seriously?? I must live under a bubble of the only affordable housing left in the US

This family is the sweetest. They didn’t have a choice to be born the way they are but with the lack of education, finance n health they are really starting to fade out of the “surviving” stage and into “thriving” with all the help they are getting now. Look at em go! Loraine more social, Betty probably less stressed, ray getting some health help and tummy getting to enjoy the fun things in life. Mark u really did change some lives here and I’m sure Betty and Larry are extremely happy with the help they have now. Blessings to you and lauren! ❤

I love the affirmations they give one another. Like with Timmy’s picture, they encouraged & give positive affirmation! This family is precious!

I wouldn't mind sitting on the porch with this family. Such beautiful souls. Betty is an encyclopedia of the family history and everyone's ages. She's a real angel on earth taking care of everybody.

Even today 219k seems outragous for a home like that in rural west virginia.

The way they support Timmy with his drawing is great. I have come to enjoy this family alot.

The look on rays face when he saw mark walk in was priceless and definately made my day. Your good people Mark, they are blessed to have met you

Ray seems to have come the furthest since meeting mark, hes proud of his new jeans even, from the first time meeting he wasnt bothered by anything, now he treats mark like family and is so talkative and relaxed and proud of himself, heartwarming ❤

They seem like very nice people. Wish someone would help them clean up that mess tho. Can’t be good for anyone to be living like that.

Mark, what you've done here is nothing short of a spectacle of the human spirit. This entire saga has been heartwarming, informative, eye opening, and fun. This family not only deserves respect, but they deserve to be seen in a different light that you've very much provided. They look happier and healthier than EVER. Thanks for sharing this experience with us. PS - Glad to see Jack is OK!

Lorraine's response to you two was precious. Of course, Ray is just adorable. I hope everyone donates. I agree, that house is overpriced for where it is. Sellers are just being greedy right now, but sometimes the greed is absurd like this one. The location simply isn't worth it. You have my donation. Good luck with finding them a home.

How heartwarming to see everyone so excited to see you. Even the dogs were excited and Lorraine actually got up, tried to speak and was hugging. What a difference you’ve made for this family. It’s so nice that Ray’s in clean clothes and excited to show his new jeans. I’m sure he feels so much better about himself. Tylenol Arthritis would really help him. I’m betting that the asking price for that house is inflated because they know you help them and know you’ll pay more. I’m hoping it can happen for them and they get more realistic with the price. The house they’re in sadly needs to be condemned. If each subscriber donates $5 it would definitely help. Thanks for doing what you do. 👏🏻💖

They should be so happy that Mark came into their lives. They do seem to take advantage of Mark ( he is full of love) they don't realize how much it costs to go to see them, and pay for all the things he does for them. The trips to Wal-Mart aren't cheap. They seem to expect it,

I wish we could see family pictures of all these guys including their parents back from the 60s and 70s.

Mark you have given the Whittaker’s a great sense of normalcy that otherwise wouldn’t have happened. Your kind heart and generosity along with compassion make a huge difference in their lives. You’ve opened them up to a new outlook and can clearly see they love you in their own way. The fact that people come from everywhere to befriend and visit them shows that we still have kind people in this world. I realize you may not always get a fair comment from certain people but you taking time to open your heart says a lot about you as a person. I’m sorry I forgot the young lady’s name but she deserves credit as well. It takes a special person to have patience and good heartedness in a world with so much negativity. Thanks again from a friend in Telluride Colorado.

I'm really surprised that they don't have state case workers working with them. Like, personal caretakers for each person/ per household. Or, chore workers who stop by 2/3 times a week. If they had chore workers & caretakers to help them either daily, or, a few times a week - their lives would be a lot more simpler & their home would be more organized, clean & livable!!! Not so ..... messy/broken/ & unclean.

Amazing to see the effects of friendship. From the first video to now, you can see how at ease the family has got with Mark. The engagement has increased noticeably.

I Think the more reasonable would be to put a modular home on thir property It could be done in just a few days and a lot cheaper

Love the positive comments ❤ I hope Ray feels better ! The dogs are so adorable ! I can’t wait to see this family again!

I live in Australia, came across these videos by accident, have watched all of them and so have some of my friends as well now, these people are probably happier than families that think they are much better off than the Whittakers, well I am much better off in money terms but I think they are much happier in life, a good life lesson for all I think, Good luck in the future for the Whittakers . Just donated a small amount of money to get them there new house, that would help them out so much, please help if you can. Cheers from down under.

The Whittakers now have a whole host of guardian angels thanks to this channel along with the locals that keep watch over them. Now they can live the rest of their lives in relative peace and have the essentials taken care of so they can be comfortable. What a wonderful thing to take them to the fair and give them a break from the routine of their lives and have some fun! I think the inability to communicate vocally for Ray, Timmy and Loraine belies the fact they actually understand much more than they can communicate back.

Ray is miserably in pain and in need of a doctor. That’s the reality of the whole episode.

I am not saying that we shouldn't help, it's clear they need assistance. I might be in the minority but I don't think it will be a good thing to give them a house to take care of. This isn't a statement of hate or anything and I apologize if it comes off that way. Seeing how close they are as a family is pretty amazing. But what happens to everyone when the two older that can take care of things pass away? I'll be the first to say that I don't know the answer.

Awww it warmed my heart so much when Larry was telling Timmy how good of a job he did on his coloring book. Timmy was so proud 🥹