Lisa Hears the Lions' Roar
by Cate Murway
The realization of true independence begins with high expectations. Blindness presents many challenges, and in order to achieve independence as a partially sighted person, one must be prepared to take charge of one’s life.
The Bristol Lions continue their longtime focus on addressing blindness and eye health, a focus that began with Helen Keller's challenge to the clubs at their international convention in 1925, and they recently supported the purchase of a laptop.
The former president, Joe Fida, Sr.’s project was to finance the computer for a blind recipient.
Lisa Deanna Mattozzi was born with hydrocephalus, also known as "water in the brain," a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. It remained an intractable condition until the 20th century, when shunts and other neurosurgical treatment modalities were developed. Lisa was diagnosed at 2 months old and has developed a positive and resilient philosophy about her visual impairment.
She lived in Levittown with her parents, Felice “Butch” Mattozzi, a butcher at Redner’s Market and medical secretary, Lynne Dianne [Paulsworth] and her two older sisters, Traci Coley and Amy Mattozzi-Ransley. She has 5 nephews and one great-nephew and she’ll be an Aunt again in December. Fingers are crossed for a girl!
While having a sick child is upsetting and frustrating and never easy, being the sick child is even harder.
Lisa developed meningitis, a bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord at only 15 months old.
“Most of my childhood was spent at St. Christopher’s Hospital. I guess I was pretty ok until the age of six.”
There were complications after her surgery to reposition the shunt. She stopped breathing and lapsed into a coma, unable to respond to voices, other sounds, or any sort of activity going on nearby. When she revived, she could breathe naturally but she was paralyzed on her right side; she was unable to speak and couldn’t see.
Lisa continued to surprise everyone when one day, she called out, “Mommy”.
The second word she said was “No”. No surprise here!
Guts and physical and occupational therapy, using the best of many tools and strategy treatments possible, helped her meet her challenges.
Originally she could only see the large E on the eye chart, so education was always a challenge.
Lisa attended Hope Lutheran School until the second grade then went on home-based or homebound schooling before starting at Walt Disney School until the 4th grade when there were no longer provisions for a Resource Room.
She entered Manor Elementary in the 5th grade and continued her education through the Pennsbury School District.
She started building a personal learning network.
“I gritted my teeth and fought. The Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 [BCIU] fought with me and for me and provided large print books for me. I have very thick glasses which really help.”
Her goal was always just to fit in. Lisa never wanted to “stick out”.
Myths, misconceptions, and misguided reactions related to blindness confronted her in her daily life.
“It’s hard enough to be a kid in school, I didn’t want to be different.”
She did not want to be, as she felt, “hand held”, at the Overbrook School for the Blind, a school that was founded by Julius Friedlander in March 1832.
Lisa presents herself as an optimistic person and she likes to be appreciated for her ability to master skills and handle responsibility.
“And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.”
Her skills in most areas come from her dogged diligence and her strong will to succeed.
Lisa’s original education plans included Edinboro College but her caseworker advised that preparatory time at the Delco Blind/ Sight Center program was mandated.
This was a small workshop incorporated as a non-profit agency in 1948 by the Chester Lions Club. Lisa felt that she was not learning. She was working at their sheltered workshop as a supervisor. Many clients at sheltered workshops are proud of their work.
“They need places like that because those people need a job, they need a purpose.”
She was employed as a client care worker at Woods Services for two years, a school that provides residential, educational and vocational supports for more than 1400 children and adults with exceptional needs.
She also helped out her grandmother during her early stages of Alzheimer’s, a dementia that affected her memory, thinking, and behavior.
Lisa worked for a time as a cashier at Boscov’s department store in the Levittown Shopping Center in the stationery and automotive departments.
She felt prepared to start college in a Business program but she changed her major to Social Services, deciding she wanted “something with children and youth”.
Lisa had owned a laptop with Windows XP, Office 2000, Zoom Text 8.1 and Jaws 9.0 with a one-year warranty. The laptop “died after 14 months”.
She has had to become very knowledgeable of the occupational and vocational rehabilitation resources that are available to her.
A local example of an excellent resource for guidance is the Disability Services at Bucks County Community College under the directorship of Marie Cooper.
Marie connected Lisa with the Bristol Lions for assistance, helping to dispel the destructive urban legend that students with disabilities do not have it in them to succeed at college.
Joseph J. Stallone, the Bristol Lions’ Sight Conservation Chairperson, called to inform her that the monies were available to purchase a laptop computer for her.
Lisa is currently on student medical leave from BCCC while working through different migraine medicines. Her severe pain could possibly be caused by an old strained spinal cord injury. She is determined to continue her online courses through the Newtown campus and travel on Paratransit to Bristol for her campus classes.
Lisa is living on her own in an apartment with rental assistance in Bristol Township, avidly working on adjusting to her new computer. She will be able to study more easily with Zoom text 9.1, a screen magnification and screen reading software and will resume her online classes after training on the new programs.
She has downloaded a trial program and is hoping that Social Services will purchase the new version, making her new computer easier to see, hear, and use.
Lisa also uses a video magnifier, or closed-circuit television [CCTV] system; a stand- mounted video camera to project a magnified image onto the video monitor. The zoom lenses provide variable magnification for reading mail, labels on packages of food and medicines, expanding possibilities for people with problematic or loss of vision.
Independence is most crucial to Lisa.
She walks to her sister’s home to help her with her children and she does her own food shopping.
Her favorite meal to prepare is stuffed shells and “from scratch” homemade cole slaw.
“I am independent. I go where I want to go.”
She realizes that reading is of major importance.
Lisa is a huge fan of the thriller writer author, Dan Brown after his lightening-paced, utterly unpredictable, intelligent thriller “Da Vinci Code”, so she is currently absorbed in the stunning follow-up, “The Lost Symbol”.
“I like the idea that there is another theory to what happened way back when. It gives something to the imagination.”
Television is another great diversion.
Lisa watches a good amount of “Law and Order” and dreams are set in motion.
“I think I would have liked to be a good legal aid person!”
A big thank you to the Bristol Lions for helping Lisa enhance her abilities to lead the most independent life possible.
The Lions continue to roar!
The Bristol Lions currently meet at 6:30 PM at the Golden Eagle Diner on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month.
You are welcome to join them!
“To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.”
Anyone interested in receiving information about the Lions Club, including high school or college students looking for community service hours, may contact any member or write to:
The Bristol Lions Club
P.O. Box 2161
Bristol, PA 19007
LIONS = "Loving Individuals Offering Needed Service."
Lions Clubs International President Sid Scruggs III
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2016 9:29 pm
Stephen M. Paolini of Bristol passed away Monday, May 16, 2016, at the Lower Bucks Hospital. He was 56.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a lifelong Bristol resident.
Stephen was a graduate of Bristol High School and Bucks County Community College.
He was employed as a care coordinator specialist for Horizon NJ Health for 14 years. He loved his two dogs, Savana and Martini.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria E. [Beradis] Paolini; his parents, Carlo and Dorothy (Torano) Paolini; his sister, Melissa Paolini; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing from noon until the time of his service at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Molden Funeral Chapel, 133 Otter St., Bristol. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence, please visit the funeral home's Web site below.Molden Funeral Chapel,
Bristol www.moldenfuneralchapel.com
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Dorothy Torano Paolini, passed away Monday, July 25, 2016 at her home in Bristol. She was 76. Born in Bristol, she was a lifelong resident. Prior to her retirement, Dorothy worked in retail sales for stores including Pirolli’s and Premier Jewelers in Bristol and Pomeroy’s Department store in Levittown. She enjoyed bowling and bingo and especially loved to travel.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years Carlo Paolini, her daughter Melissa Paolini, her sister, Elizabeth DiGirolamo and brother in law Donald Yocum. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son Stephen Paolini, her parents Frank and Theresa Torano, her sister Frances Yocum and her brother in law Jasper DiGirolamo.
Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from 9:30AM until the time of her service 11:30 AM at the Molden Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service 133 Otter St. Bristol, PA. Burial will follow in Washington Crossing National Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014. To post photos, share a memory or send a condolence visit www.moldenfuneralchapel.com
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Carlo Paolini, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2016 at his home in Bristol, PA. He was 87. Born in Bristol, he was a lifelong resident. Prior to his retirement in 1983, Carlo worked as an electrician at McGuire Air Force Base for many years. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the Marine Corps. He then served in Airforce until 1956. Carlo enjoyed cooking and baking. He especially loved making cookie trays during the holidays and sharing them with family and friends.
Carlo was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Dorothy (Torano) Paolini, his son Stephen, his mother and father Antonio and Scolastica (Nina) Paolini, his sister Jennie Rago, brothers, Sante and Chet, sister in law Frances Yocum and brother in law Jay DiGirolamo.
He is survived by his daughter Melissa, his brother John, sister in law Elizabeth DiGirolamo, brother in law Donald Yocum and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016 from 9:30 until the time of his service at 11:30 at the Molden Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service 133 Otter St. Bristol, PA Interment will follow in Washington Crossing National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to either the American Cancer Society or The Michael J. Fox Foundation. To sign the online guestbook or send a condolence visit www.moldenfuneralchapel.com
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Jasper "Jay" DiGirolamo 88, of Mansfield Twp passed away peacefully on May 5, 2014 with his family by his side at St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg, NJ
Born: on March 23, 1926 in Bristol, PA to the late Bartolomeo and Domenica Leona DiGirolamo.
Personal: Jay graduated from Bristol high school class of 1944. He later attended Rider University and studied accounting. Jay joined the US Navy after high school and was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Prince William where he saw action in the Pacific theater. He returned home after the war and married the love of his life Elizabeth "Torano" in 1949. They later moved to Flemington, NJ where he owned and operated Arkay's Shoes. Jay also worked as an accountant and in insurance sales before retiring in 1987. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 103 in Washington and a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Washington. He enjoyed drawing, reading and learning on the computer.
Survivors: He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Elizabeth; two daughters Cynthia E. Jones and her husband Paul, Patrice Eddy; a son David A. DiGirolamo; a sister Mary Pietrangelo; five grandchildren Denise, Kristen, Paula, Dana and Daniel; six great grandchildren Kayla, George, Morgan, Brittany, Eric and Isabella. and a great great granddaughter Jordan
He was predeceased by a son in-law Dorsey Glenn Eddy, a sister Lucy DiGirolamo, three brothers Thomas, Peter and James.
Services: Friends and family may call on Friday May 9, 2014 from 6-8 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home 234 W. Washington Ave, Washington, NJ 07882. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday May 10, 2014 at 10:30 AM from St. Joseph Catholic Church 200 Carlton Ave, Washington, NJ 07882. Interment will take place in Bristol, PA privately.
Memorials: Donations may be made in Jay's name to a charity of one's choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Warren Hills Memorial Home.
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Elizabeth DiGirolamo,87, of Port Colden, NJ passed away peacefully at home August 11, 2018
with her family by her side.
She was born on August 29, 1930 in Bristol, PA to the late Francis and Theresa Torano.
Elizabeth graduated from Bristol high school class of 1948. She also attended cosmetology school. She had previously lived in Flemington, NJ before moving to Port Colden in 1983. He beloved husband of 65 years Jasper Di Girolamo passed away in 2014. Elizabeth worked as a collection agent for Certified Credit in Branchburg, NJ before retiring in 2010. She was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Washington, NJ. She enjoyed baking, cooking and knitting.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Patrice Eddy, Cynthia Jones and her husband Paul, A son, David DiGirolamo. Five grandchildren, Denise, Kristen, Paula, Dana and Daniel. Six great grandchildren, Kayla, George, Morgan, Brittany, Eric and Isabella. Two great great grandchildren, Jordan and Dakota. She was preceded in death by a son in-law Dorsey Glenn Eddy.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday August 16, 2018 from 9:30-11:00 AM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home. 234 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday August 16, 2018 at 11:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church. 200 Carlton Ave. Washington, NJ.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Elizabeth's name to Common Sense for Animals, PO Box 589, Broadway, NJ 08808 OR St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Leading the Lions
by Cate Murway
“Whenever a Lions club gets together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That's because we help where help is needed – in our own communities and around the world – with unmatched integrity and energy.”
News flash! Bristol Lions pick first woman president.
Melissa Frances Paolini, BHS ’81 is armed with new ideas and a fresh perspective for its 60th year.
They have been proudly serving the community since 1951.
The Lions, the world's largest service club organization, founded June 7, 1917 is also one of the most effective.
They get the jobs done!
Founder Melvin Jones [1879 - 1961], the Chicago businessman whose personal code – "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else" – became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over.
Jones asked, with regard to his colleagues, "What if these men who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?"
Coincidentally, Senator Joseph Ridgway Grundy [1863 –1961], who was named the first Bristol Lions “Citizen of the Year”, shared the same January 13th birthday with the Lions’ founder. He voiced a similar motto also: “If a man does not take pride in his own town, he isn’t likely to give a rap for his country.”
“We Serve” is the motto of Lions Club International with its 45,000 clubs and 1.35 million members in 206 countries around the world.
Melissa has been a Lions member for the best part of the last decade, introduced to the club by her late cousin, Armand V. Di Rienzo, who was the President of the Bayard Pump & Tank Company. She is employed full time as the receptionist at Fidelity Savings on Radcliffe Street and works part time as a pharmacy tech at the Pond Street Rite Aid.
One of her first career ventures was in horticulture and floral arrangement for Horace P. Schmidt, Jr. in his Schmidt’s Flowers shop on Old Route 13.
Melissa’s family still resides in historic Bristol on the Delaware. She and her brother, Steve Paolini, who works for an insurance company, were raised by their parents, Dorothy [Tarano] and Carlo Paolini. Their father is a retired McGuire Air Force Base airplane mechanic and their mother worked for Premier Jewelers on Mill Street. Maternal grandparents Theresa and Frank Tarano also lived in the Borough.
Girl Scouting was an excellent early forum for Melissa to learn leadership. One of her first responsibilities was to lead the BHS marching band as a majorette.
She now finds it a great privilege to serve as the Lions president and she is looking forward to broadening the scope of their projects and working in co-operation with all her fellow members. The source of the strength in their club is the relationships they have with one another.
Her organization skills will be put to the test and her determination and her ever practical, down-to-earth approach will focus on success. She is always willing to work long, hard hours to push a project through to completion.
“I like helping people.”
Each person can make a difference and the Lions’ aim
is to meet the needs of communities on a local and global scale.
Melissa also earned
the “Outstanding Service Award”
on June 10th
at the 60th Annual Charter Night
when she was installed as 2011-2012 President.
The Lions collect unwanted glasses, which they then recycle and distribute to those who can use them. First Vice President Steven Gilson, the Loss Prevention Manager for Audit & Compliance at Luxottica Retail that partners with local charities including the Lions Clubs, help the disadvantaged people receive new glasses.
According to Steve, the spectacles are inspected for function and wear and the prescriptions are checked. Some of the glasses are donated to 3rd world countries and the recipients wait in long lines just to get their glasses.
“It’s an honor being part of the Lions and being able to benefit the community”, Steve shared.
Donate your glasses! Drop-off your old eyeglasses at any LensCrafters or Lions Club location and help someone in a developing country have a chance for a brighter, and much clearer future.
Melissa nodded, “Everyone is willing to do whatever they can to help others.”
The former president, Joe Fida, Sr.’s project was to finance a computer for a blind recipient in Bristol Township.
They have broadened their mission beyond the longtime focus on addressing blindness and eye health, a focus that began with Helen Keller's challenge to the clubs at their international convention in 1925. Much of the Lions Club’s work as a service club organization is to raise money for all worthy causes. Funds raised from the general public are used for charitable purposes, and administrative costs are kept strictly separate and paid for by the members.
The Bristol Lions offer substantial scholarships for the Borough youth.
“To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service.”
Bristol Lions will provide refreshments for the 'Bridging the Delaware Festival of Lights’ on August 21st, featuring a decorated boats parade, fireworks and music by First Time Around Band.
September 11th is the Italian Day festival and members, Steven E. Martino and his wife, Donna M. will most likely man the stand as they have in the past, offering “cooked from scratch” sausage, meatballs and chicken fingers.
All of the club members volunteer their time for Lions Club Director, Officer Peter Faight's “Shop with a Cop” Day at the Bristol Wal-Mart and everyone sings at the Christmas Concert at the Bristol Riverside Theatre.
Last year, Melissa was the Chairperson for the Childrens’ Christmas Party.
She particularly “loves to see the faces on the kids”.
Lions International owns Lions Camp Kirby, a summer camp for the deaf and hard of hearing youth.
They also serve the community and surrounding areas with free professional band Summer Concerts from June through September, held in the Bristol Lions Park located along the Delaware River at the foot of Mill and Radcliffe Streets in Bristol, PA.
An average of 2,000 people attend these summer concerts each weekend. Bristol Lions Park, maintained by the Bristol Lions members, was developed by the Bristol Lions and was dedicated in 1970.
Come appreciate the beautiful oak trees, the special park benches, the incredible sound system, the walkways and most of all, the postcard-perfect Victorian gazebo positioned in the center of the park.
Enjoy a little music, delicious food and maybe some dancing.
The Bristol Lions currently meet at 6:30 PM at the Golden Eagle Diner on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month.
You are welcome to join them!
“To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.”
Anyone interested in receiving information about the Lions Club, including high school or college students looking for community service hours, may contact any member or write to:
The Bristol Lions Club
P.O. Box 2161
Bristol, PA 19007
LIONS = "Loving Individuals Offering Needed Service."
Lions Clubs International President Sid Scruggs III
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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from left: "Lion Tamer" Kevin Delaney; 1st VP Steve Gilson; President Melissa Paolini; former President Joe Fida, Sr.; 3rd VP Brian Love; treasurer, Robert Coffin;
secretary, T. Scott Harris
from left: Don Bader, Joe Stallone, Joe Fida, Bruce Goulet, Lisa Mattozzi, Linda Smith
