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Last Updated:02/12/08
 

 

 

 

Seeing Our Way
By Dorothy Troyer
DEICKE EYE CENTER FOR VISUAL REHABILITATION

Value of Scholarships

A woman in her mid-fifties was teaching English as a Second Language when the program through which she was working discontinued the program. She explored the career possibilities of library science and travel agent and then a friend suggested that she look into a grant being offered by a University for teaching the blind. She made inquiries and learned that with her Bachelor’s degree in English, a year of University classes and an internship, she could be qualified as a Rehabilitation Teacher for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The grant would pay her tuition and she could commute from home. She went for it. Soon after classes began she was offered a work assignment, which involved reading to blind students and copying large print materials for those with severe visual impairments. This paid for her books and gas money for the commute.

Although she completed her university courses with honors, she ran into a snag when it came time to do the internship. Affiliations in her area were limited and there were no openings. Then she heard about a new low vision center within driving distance and took matters into her own hands. Armed with her resume and college transcript, she approached the executive director of the new center and asked him to consider letting her do an internship at his Center. This was a bit of a miracle. The Center needed a Rehab Teacher, but there was no money in the budget. A Rehab intern required no salary. Temporary though it might be, this opportunity was not to be ignored. Representatives from the university and the state were summoned to a meeting with the executive director and the dye was cast. She was in!

It was a good fit. The woman became passionate about the Center’s mission. The staff began to realize that she was willing to do anything needed to make the program work. When the internship was completed, she stayed on doing her work on a pro bono basis until the Board of Directors could meet and approve a budget that included a part time position for a rehab teacher.

Because of a scholarship grant, the woman taught hundreds of visually impaired persons to effectively use optical devices to maximize their existing vision and taught them alternative ways of doing everyday tasks that did not rely on vision. She gave talks to Lions Clubs, Retirement Communities, church groups, service clubs and school children. She even returned to the University as an adjunct professor to teach others how to become rehab teachers.

You know the people in this story. The Executive Director is Lion Tracy Williams. Lion George Newitt was on the Board of Directors that approved hiring the woman and I was the woman, Lion Dorothy Troyer.


Hear Here
By Dr. Terri Lightbody, Au.D
HEARING SPECIALISTS of DuPage


Hearing Dogs

Many of us have heard of dogs being specially trained for individuals with vision loss. Did you know that there are dogs trained for individuals with hearing loss? Hearing dogs are trained for similar duties as ‘seeing dogs’ such as alerting their owner to danger. Imagine going to bed and having to take your hearing aids and/or cochlear implant off putting you into a silent world. Imagine being afraid of missing an important phone call, not hearing a baby crying or missing the fire alarm. Imagine not being able to hear someone calling your name or not being able to determine where the sound is coming from. These are fears that the hearing impaired/deaf struggle with on a daily basis. A Hearing Dog can help with all of these situations and many more. They give their owner a greater sense of peace and independence.

Hearing dogs come in all shapes and sizes. They are chosen based on their temperament, health, intelligence, adaptability, social etiquette, and work ethic.The hearing dog must be able to pay attention, respond to commands, and remain under control and not be distracted by offers of food, non-important sounds, and startling sounds/situations. Hearing dogs are trained to alert their human partners to sounds through physical contact to get their attention. The dog may be trained to touch a hand, nudge their leg, or touch their foot and then connect their partner to the sound they are alerting for by moving toward the sound. Some of the sounds hearing dogs can alert to are a door bell, door knock, teakettle whistle, kitchen timer, telephone ring, smoke alarm, alarm clock, and the various beeps and bells of kitchen and laundry appliances. New sounds can be added as needed.

Hearing dogs are identified by an orange collar and leash or vest. You should never approach and make contact with a hearing dog that is ‘on duty’ unless you ask their owner’s permission first.

To find out more about hearing dogs, you can investigate these websites: International Association of Hearing Dog Partners: www.iaadp.org/ , Assistance Dogs International: www.adionline.org/ , AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program: www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your ears or hearing, call Dr. Lightbody. Dr. Lightbody has a private practice in Wheaton and works with all ages. She can be contacted at her office, Hearing Specialists of DuPage, (630)580-5777. www.thehearingspecialists.com


Welcome Our New Members

Lion Linda Wallace
After School Activities Director
Wheaton/Warrenville School District CUSD 200
Sponsor: Lion Jim Ellingson

Lion Dorothy French
Associate Judge
Circuit Judge - Eighteenth Circuit
DuPage County Jucial System

Sponsor: Lion Mike Gresk

Lion Mike Benard
Exec. Dir.
Wheaton Park District
Sponsor: Lion Bill Davis

Lion Jim Borsch
President
J. B. Packaging
Sponsor: Lion Jim Mathieson

Dr. Richard Drury
Superintendent
CUSD 200
Sponsor: Lion Jim Ellingson

Dr. Shy Fazal
Optician
Pearl Vision-Danada
Sponsor: Lion Joel Riley


Mobile Hearing Screening at Autumnfest, September 15

Wheaton Lions Charities, Ltd., and the Wheaton Lions Club hosted the LIONS International Hearing Screening bus on Saturday September 15, during the Wheaton Autumnfest. The screening was free to all and was available from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The LIONS bus was located on Wheaton Avenue behind Memorial Park, near the food concessions. The screenings took but a few minutes.

This event was organized by Lions Dr. Terri Lightbody and Ern Kovacs.

Dr. Terry Lightbody ready for her first clients.

Deafness has no respect of age, wealth or rank - it strikes people of all economic, social and age categories with equal frequency. The Lions Clubs of Illinois sponsor free hearing screenings for person 18 and older and 10-17 years with written parental consent, in communities all over the state through out the year. Hearing loss is probably the single most common chronic disability in the United States, occurring nearly four times as often as blindness.

There are nearly 720,000 hearing impaired persons in Illinois alone. Of these, 106,000 are deaf, 26,000 of these were deaf before the age of 19. Unfortunately, the problem is made worse since the deaf are least understood of all handicapped populations.

“For many years,” said Dr. Terri Lightbody, “many associate deafness and stupidity together, even though deaf and hearing impaired people have IQ’s equal to those of the hearing population. The deaf have shown to be just as qualified as the hearing for job opportunities.

“They deserve every consideration,” said Lion Ern Kovacs, Hearing Screening Co-Chairman.


 

NIGHT WALK

“We Walk In The Dark So They Won’t have To.”

This year was the 3rd Annual Night Walk for District 1J Lions includes Districts 1A, 1B and 1F. In the previous two Night Walks, Wheaton Lions were awarded plaques for collecting the most money and having the most walkers. It’s become both a tradition and a challenge. Funds raised help to deliver an increasing number of services to the one million men, women and children in Illinois who are hearing and vision impaired.

The Wheaton Lions Club Night Walk Committee of 10 Members were Lions Ruth Carlson, Jim Huck, Tony Ladd, Steve Lederman, Jim Mathieson, Joe Morrissey, Brad Pihl, Joel Riley, John Stock and Dorothy Troyer, Chairman. Two committee members are also new club members; Lions Steve and Brad.

Night Walk was held on Sunday, June 3rd at the Danada Equestrian Center. The “Walk” began at 7:30 pm.

Lion Jim Mathieson and his wife Gail hosted a picnic at their home for all Wheaton Lion participants before the event.

Click here to see this year's Walk photos.



Welcome Our New Officers & Board Members
for 2007/2008

The President’s gavel is passing from Lion Keith Carlson to Lion Terri Lightbody, effective July 1, 2007. We all thanked Keith for his leadership this past year. Lion Keith has made it a fun and productive one. Lion Terri is focused on the hearing impaired through her day job. You have enjoyed her column "Hear Here" in our Newsletter and the web site.

Lion Ray Deiter M D, left, prefaced our Invocation of Officers with experiences of Lionism from his club in Glen Ellyn. Outgoing President Keith Carlson is on right.

Our Vice-president in charge of membership is Lion Jim Ellingson. Jim says “We can double our membership if every member produces one new candidate”.

 

Lion Harold Gaede inducting the new officers and board members May 15, 2007

Lions Keith and Ruth Carlson

Lion Bob Clavel, our hardworking Secretary, with his wife Ramona.

Lion Dorothy Troyer leading us in Prayer.

Lion Jim Mathieson citing the year's accomplishments as Lions. Lion Keith with his mini bell he used while we were displaced due to the Fall 06 flood. We meet in the Community Bank conference room, thanks to Lions Don Fischer and Christopher Barton.

Past President Joel Riley and his wife Melissa.

Outgoing President Keith Carlson and his wife, Ruth

Lion Keith Carlson bestowing awards for special service to our club to Lions Christopher Barton, left and Don Fischer, second from right, from Community Bank of Wheaton/Glen Ellyn, and Lion Tony Ladd from Wheaton College.

Lion Tony Ladd, Wheaton College and Lion Christopher Barton from Community Bank with their special awards.

Lion Harold Gaede and wife Joan

Joan Gaede assisting our live entertainment.

Our newly elected Mayor of Wheaton, Lion Mike Gresk, acknowledging recognition from all of us.


LIONS Club Officers & Board of Directors

Serving July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008

Officers
President.........................................................Dr. Terri Lightbody
Vice President .................................................Jim Atten
Second Vice President .....................................Tony Ladd
Secretary........................................................Bob Clavel
Treasurer .......................................................Christopher Barton
Past President ................................................Keith Carlson
Fund Raising Director ......................................John Sheahin
Program Director ............................................Dorothy Troyer
Membership Director .......................................Jim Ellingson
Publicity Director .............................................Bud Roeser
Sight & Hearing Director...................................Neil Pollock/Karen Lellios
Lion Tamer .....................................................Ed Lambke
Tail Twister .....................................................Jim Mathieson
Assistant Tail Twister .......................................Don Fischer

Board Of Directors
One Year Directors ..........................................Gary Dewel, Tom Yule
Two Year Directors ..........................................Pat McEvoy, Martin Findling
Three Year Directors ........................................Bob Haeger, Ern Kovacs


SightFirst II Campaign

Campaign SightFirstII is a coordinated, global fund-raising effort involving all 1.35 million Lions in more than 45,000 clubs to raise $150 million for the SightFirst program. It is conducted by Lions Cubs, International Foundation, the grant-making arm of the International Association of Lions Clubs.

The SightFirst Program

Since 1990, Lions have done more to prevent blindness and restore sight than in their previous 65 years as "Knights of the Blind." In a decade and a half, Lions have prevented severe vision loss or restored sight to 27 million people-more than the combined populations of New York and Tokyo.

How is this possible?

SightFirst makes it possible! SightFirst's strategy of containing and eliminating the leading causes of blindness, creating sustainable eye-health systems, and training eye- care workers who will serve their communities for years to come, makes it extraordinarily effective and remarkably efficient. On average, just $6.00, can save one person from a life of darkness. SightFirst has touched the lives of tens of millions around the globe. Through SightFirst, Lions are changing the world-and the world now looks to Lions as leaders in the international effort to combat preventable blindness.

Since 1990, SightFirst has....

Prevented serious vision loss for 27 million.
Provided 80.5 million treatments for River Blindness
Awarded $193 million for 818 projects in 90 Countries
Restored sight to 7 million with Cataract
Improved eye-care services for hundreds of millions
Built or expanded 213 eye hospitals, clinics and wards.
Upgraded 325 eye centers with equipment
Trained 305,000 Ophthalmologists, Ophthalmic nurses, other professional eye- care workers and village health workers.
Launched world's first-ever initiative to combat childhood blindness in partnership with the World Health Organization. 30 Pediatric eye-care centers will be established.

The Years of Campaign SightFirst II

2005-2006 The Year of Education and Preparation CSFII
Launched at the International Convention in Hong Kong Model Clubs begin intensive fund raising. All Clubs conduct one additional fund-raising event for CSFII.
2006-2007 The Year of Inspiration and Motivation
Prepared Clubs begin intensive fund-raising efforts
2007-2008 The Year of Participation and Celebration All remaining Clubs begin intensive fund raising. CSFII concludes at the International Convention in Bangkok.

A word from our past president, Lion Joel Riley. . .
Dear Lions, we have advised the Lions Clubs International Foundation of our firm dollar commitment from our club to the SightFirst II Campaign. Your Board has voted on how much the Wheaton Lions will pledge to this campaign for the next 5 years. The individual pledge forms you submitted provided guidance to the Board as to the appropriate Club pledge. We are asking each member to pledge $80.00 per year for a total of $400.00 payable over five years.
Over half of our membership has completed the pledge forms. THANK YOU!!! Unfortunately this means that the other half will be receiving a follow-up call. In order to reduce the number of calls we will be making, please email, mail, or hand me a pledge form so I can check your name off the list.

For a copy of the Pledge Form, download here.

For more Information on SIGHTFIRSTII visit: http://www.lions-csfii.org/live/content/index.shtml   

For information about River Blindness, visit: http://www.cartercenter.org/health/river_blindness/index.html       


 

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO WHEATON STUDENTS

WHEATON LIONS CHARITIES CONFERS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FOR QUALIFIED VISUAL AND/OR HEARING IMPAIRED HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Our 84th Year Helping the Wheaton Visually and Hearing Impaired Community

WHEATON, IL (July 31,2007) Wheaton Lions Charities, Ltd., and the Wheaton Lions Club has again awarded a scholarship to qualifying high school seniors residing within the boundaries of School District 200 who are challenged by visual or hearing related conditions, including type 1 diabetes. The scholarship money is to be used toward college, technical school or similar educational program to enhance a career of their choice. This year the Wheaton Lions Club has awarded a $3,000 scholarship to Victoria Klopf a graduate of Wheaton/Warrenville South High School. Victoria is attending Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.


Student Victoria Klopf, center, received her LIONS scholarship award during the regular meeting July 31, 2007. From the left, Victoria's mother, Gail; Wheaton Lion President Dr. Terri Lightbody, audiologist; and Lion Bill Davis, Scholarship director.

The Wheaton LIONS have long maintained their LIONS Eye Care Program within the community, working with local schools and local eye physicians, for the purpose of screening needy individuals, especially children, who have visual impairments. This program includes eye exams, glasses and other apparatus like magnification devices. The Wheaton LIONS also strongly support the Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation. Funding for these and other causes come primarily from the annual Nite Walk in June, Candy Day collections in October, a golf and steak fry each summer and a Christmas auction.

The local Wheaton LIONS Club began its charter on October 23, 1923. Our President this year is Dr. Terri Lightbody, registered audiologist.

Individuals interested in joining the Lions Club may obtain further information from Membership Chairman, Jim Ellingson or calling 630-665-9471. Prospective members are invited to attend our weekly luncheon meetings held on Tuesdays at Noon to 1:00PM in the Masonic Building, 120 W. Wesley, Wheaton, IL 60187.

Wheaton Lions Scholarship Past Winners
YEAR
STUDENT-SCHOOL
AWARD
2001
Michelle Conway-College of DuPage
$1,500
2002

Kara Donndelinger - Columbia International University
Jennifer Maier - College of DuPage
Katherine Kelly - Illinois Wesleyan University

$1,500
$750
$750

2003

Michelle McIntyre - College of DuPage
Benjamin Hoffmeier - Centre College

$1,500
$1,500

2004 Somoch Huy - College of DuPage
$1,500
2005 Jock Lezon - College of DuPage
Michael Mallek - Cooking & Hospitality Institute of Chicago
$1,500
$1,500
2006 Owen Finnegan - Judson College
Victoria Klopf - Illinois State University
$1,500
$1,500
2007 Victoria Klopf - Illinois State University
$3,000
   

   

LION President Joel Riley Receives 1J Award

Lions Of Illinois Secretary Mario Gumino, stationed at the Sycamore, IL headquarters, visited us on April 25, 2006 to award our President, Joel Riley with his work in bringing in new members.

   
Lion Dr. Tracy Williams Earns Melvin Jones Fellow Award

Lion Dr. Tracy Williams, Director of the Deicke Center known for his volunteering with the Chicago Bulls and The Chicago White Sox as team eye doctor. Once in awhile we hear about Lion Williams’ sojourns into third-world country, distributing the eye glasses we collect and administer other eye exams and solutions, free of charge.

Lion Tracy’s work has not gone unnoticed. Lion Dr. Joe Morrissey, DDS a past Wheaton Lions president, presented the Melvin Jones Fellow award for dedicated humanitarian services on behalf of the Lions International Foundation to Lion Dr. Tracy Williams, at our regular January 17, 2006 meeting.

After receiving his award, Lion Tracy told us of more of his interesting stories about helping the sight impaired located in third-world countries. The latest trip was to Guatemala where he fitted a women with a glass eye. She claimed she could see and then proceeded to tell the whole village of the “miracle”.



Close-up of the Melvin Jones Fellow Humanitarian Award presented to Lion Dr. Tracy Williams, January 17, 2006.

Dr. Tracy Williams, left, received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for all his trips to third-world countries, dispensing glasses and performing eye exams. LION Joe Morrissey, past president of our Wheaton Den, presented the award during our regular Tuesday Noon meeting, January 17, 2006



Dr. Tracy Williams, left, Jim Atten, who sponsored the showing of the DVD of the LIONS International Convention held last summer in Hong Cong, in which, Dr. Tracy appeared describing his efforts around the world. Lion Joe Morrissey and our President, Lion Joel Riley.

   

LION Jim Atten Finds ‘49 LIONS Photo

Pictured are Wheaton Lions. Front row: Dr. Roy Schluchter, Jr., Don Auble, Roy Langan, Stephen Platt, Charles W. Townsend, Jr., Ed Farrar, Bill Atten, J.W. Fitzsimmons, Al Woodward, Bob Haeger. Back row: Anton Carlson, William Fellmer, Homer Heitz and Charles Hughes.

Lion Jim Atten’s mother found a photo printed in the December 29, 1949 Wheaton Leader showing LIONS members ready to attend a Christmas Party held in the Wheaton Theatre. The price of admission to the theater was one can of food for distribution to the needy. Jim is donating the photo to the Wheaton Historical Society. Printed on the back is a Jewel Foods ad showing it was located at 126 N. Hale. Featured was 12 oz. fantail shrimp for 69¢, Planters peanuts 8 oz. can for 29¢.

Current members are sons Jim Atten, Bob Haeger and Keith Carson and grand daughter, Jennifer Atten.


   
   

 


New Member Recruiting Recognized
   

Lion Keith Carlson, past VP of Membership shows the plague he earned and also gave to others for recruiting new members to our Wheaton Club. Those who recruited 2 or more new members also earned a LION pin.

The LIONS receiving the awards are:

 LION
# New Members
Jim Atten
2
Bruce Schurman
3
Keith Carlson
1
Dale Davis
1
Clyde Kautz
1
Jim Herrmann
1
Glenn Auble

1

Joel Riley
1

   
   

SERVICE RECOGNIZED

President Joe Morrissey presented Lion Harold Gaede with a 50 year award as a member of our Wheaton LIONS den at our Installation Meeting, May 11, 2005. Harold is our official Installation Officer who conducts the inductions of new members at proceedings taking place quarterly
President Joe Morrissey presented Lion Ed Green with a 35 year award as a member of our Wheaton LIONS den at our regular Noon meeting, May 25, 2005.

 

   
   

 

   
   
   


   

Wheaton LIONS Club History is Building

2003 was a special year for our LIONS club. We celebrated our 80th anniversary. And we discovered a 1941 Christmas card signed by the then members and mailed to one of the member’s son flying for the Royal Air Force in London,

Recently, the Post Office found an envelope containing a Christmas card signed by the Wheaton LIONS Club members, addressed to a Lt. William D. Tibbetts, Army Airforce, mailed December 22, 1941, c/o the American Embassy, London, England.

Among the 70 signers was Kevin K. Tibbetts. We believe he was the Superintendent of Wheaton schools from 1928 through 1952.
We are looking for any information you may have regarding Kevin and William Tibbetts and if any descendants are still in Wheaton. We are interested in finding out the relationship of Kevin to William, also.

And now, LION Cleve Carney discovered a poem written for his dad, Marvin Carney and signed by the members.

   
   

Upcoming Events... 2008

SightFirstII Pledge information

February 07 - Atten Open House

April 01 — No Meeting, Spring break

April 19— Recycle Day

May 14— Invocation

Speakers Calendar
(See "Guest Speakers" for reports and photos of speakers)

January 08, 2008
Sponsor: LION Jim Ellingson
Speaker: Sue Herrmann
Topic: Out of Egypt

January 15, 2008
Sponsor: LION Joel Riley
Speaker: Nathan Miles
Topice: The Importance of SightFirst II

January 22, 2008
Sponsor: LION Mike Gresk
Speaker: Judge Dorothy French
Topic: Views from the Bench

January 29, 2008
Sponsor: LION Tom Meloni
Speaker: Detective Andy Uhlir & Investigative Division Comdr Joe Eversole
Topic: Exploitation of Children over the Internet.

February 05, 2008
Sponsor: Lion Bob Clavel
Speaker: Chad Thorsen,1st Trust Capital Partners
Topic: Progress of Building being constructed at Liberty and Cross.

February 12. 2008
Sponsor: Lion Martin Findling
Speaker: Ms. Terre Fulmer
Topic: Ecumenical Services to the Elderly

February 19, 2008
Sponsor: Lion Steve Lederman
Speaker: Questioners planted in            audience
Topic: All You Need to Know About           Gardening

February 26, 2008
Sponsor: LION Tony Ladd
Speaker: Mark Dillon VP of Development Wheaton College
Topic: Expansion Happenings at          Whea
ton College

March 4, 2008
Sponsor: Lion Ed Lambke
Speaker: Barb Guthrie
Topic: U.L. Safety

March 11, 2008
Sponsor: Lion Terry Lightbody
Speaker: Catherine Rajcan
Topic: Efficiency Reporting with the Hearing Impaired in Mind

March18, 2008
Sponsor: Lion Mike Williams
Speaker: Dr. R. Tracy Williams
Topic: Spring Training with the Chicago White Sox


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Birthdays. . .

February 04..........Bruce Schurman
February 09 .........Steve Lederman
February 09 .........John Stock
February 11 .........Cynthia Hutchins
February 12 ..........John Litz
February 15 ..........John Mulkerin
February 21 ..........Richard Drury
February 22 ..........Bill Langman
February 22 ..........Jim Atten
February 22 ..........Don Fischer
February 23 ..........Joe Morrissey
February 24 ..........Bud Roeser
March 24 ..............Dennis Dyce
March 25 ..............Mike Nass

Thought for the Day . .

"Winning is