HomeMy Public PortalAboutRequest for Funds for the Folino Family - IndividualCity of Watertown, MA
ARPA Project Proposal
Submitted by: John Sorabella
Submitted on: May 31, 2023
Request Number: ARPA-31
Project Name: Request for Funds For the Folino Family on Behalf of Lisa J. Folino
Proposal Type: Individual
Recommended Project Manager: Folino Family
Project Summary:
As a longtime resident of our town /and newly named City of Watertown, I am requesting that a amount of approximately $100,000.00 be
awarded to the Folino Family who have been residents of Watertown for a wonderfully long (66)sixty six years for funds to benefit solely and
on behalf of their totally disabled elder daughter Lisa J. Folino who became totally disabled as a result of a tragedy occurring on March 17 th,
2015, who fortunately is a long haul Covid Survivor as well.
Amount of ARPA Funds Requested: $100,000
Minimum Funds Needed: $100,000
Matching funds available? No
Other funds available? No
Project Narrative: I have a detailed narrative to upload
From:John Sorabella
To:American Rescue Plan Act Input
Subject:Request for Funds For the Folino Family on Behalf of Lisa J. Folino
Date:Friday, May 26, 2023 5:03:10 PM
To Members of The City Council That will be reviewing all of the ARPA fund requests thoroughly we thank you in
advance.
As a long time resident of our town /and newly named City of Watertown, I am requesting that a amount of
approximately $100,000.00 be awarded to the Folino Family who have been residents of Watertown for a
wonderfully long (66)sixty six years for funds to benefit solely and on behalf of their totally disabled elder daughter
Lisa J. Folino who became totally disabled as a result of a tragedy occurring on March 17 th, 2015, who fortunately
is a long haul Covid Survivor as well.
Which ultimately and sadly she was a victim of the very long term fireman dispute which lasted well over a seven
year period for sixty five firefighters, in which Susan, Lisa’s sister advocated in the September of 2015 with various
town councilors and town president then Mr. Mark Sideris, for all the town to end the dispute and act in good faith
and comes to terms to agree to having Advanced Life Support as well as an appropriate raise for the 65 firefighters,
that would assist the entire community and residents of all of Watertown.
Since Lisa’s disability at age 53 then, and now age 61 has had a severe emotional impact on the family and Lisa’s
life itself, we are requesting these funds only be distributed to assist Lisa for her disability in any way that they be
beneficial to help make her life more comfortable as she lacks so much.
She being a full time resident at the Watertown Health Center where she has endured many medical emergencies of
all proportions, and has survived.
She has been bed ridden for much too many years, whereas her family has advocated for her to have professional
physical therapy and OT along with an appropriate wheelchair and services that she needs for instance therapeutic
massages that are also not covered under health care plan to date.
She requires a skilled person to assist the family with daily or weekly activities that they themselves have been
doing for her all along for the past ( 8 ) eight years, and it would be beneficial if Lisa could have the treatment from
of an added pair of hands from a qualified kind, and compassionate person who could assist Lisa’s needs on a part
time basis that she would highly benefit from that she really needs one on one time daily care which the health care
center can not provide for her since she became a resident there at the bequest of her own sister Susan in September
of 2019 after being a two other facilities.
One facility that had closed by the state and the other being too far away from their home. The Watertown Health
Center is nearby for both family members and Lisa herself really would greatly benefit from the personal care and
stimulation that another therapist or even an individual person could give her as well, that her family members have
been her sole supporters and caregivers since her catastrophic tragedy.
Apparently since Lisa’s anoxic brain injury occurred as a result of the nine minute delay of not having advanced life
support arrive in a timely fashion and for not having that signed contract for an advanced life support ambulance be
parked in Watertown either.
For just a little bit of background of Lisa herself she was an active traveler and young lady who had been coming
home to be with her family the evening her tragedy occurred. She had tripped on the sidewalk that her own sister
had reported three times in the fall of 2014 that it was a bad trip hazard to Mr. Bob Rotundi owner of D & R Paving
from Malden, MA whose company had put in the new paving on Orchard Street as well as the piece of sidewalk
being elevated and already chipped, where Lisa’s fell on while wearing rubberized sole Ugg boots. He had informed
Susan that he would certainly inform the Watertown DPW about it and get to it but it had never been repaired by
anyone prior to Lisa’s fall. The night of her tragedy this young girl was not on any self medication or intoxicated or
on any drugs whatsoever. It was just a long journey home for her to be with her family and just a tragic accident that
she suffered. It was indeed her sister who begged for help and an ambulance immediately to assist her as as she
was dazed from her fall as she came into her family’s home. The fireman were true to their word about calling in
sick because of their lack of a contract, and all of it could have ended at that fateful January 12 th of 2015 at the
fireman’s meeting with the teamster’s meeting when only one councilor voted in agreement of the much neededraise and for the community’s overall needs of having advanced life support which would ultimately save manylives in Watertown.
Lisa herself loves family visits and to date as I’ve clearly expressed they do everything from necessary hygiene,massage and therapeutic exercise of movement of her arms and legs and relaxation therapy and she responds verywell and is so happy all the time with her frequent visits and care. Not to get into particulars as she is protectedunder HIPPA laws but Lisa deserves to have the extra pair of hands on care that her sister and mother could easilytrain and assist her in ways that she would truly benefit.
The possibilities Lisa could have from this wonderful ARPA funding would give Lisa the stimulation as well asadded relief for her family as well. Lisa survived Covid because of her sister’s advocacy as well as she had gottenCovid in both lungs but her sister seemed out an appropriate treatment that they weren’t even using at the hospitalwhere Lisa was at and she survived five infections occurring at the same time as Covid in both lungs and was able tocome off a ventilator after 6 weeks. Susan her sister had them use an infusion of Actemra which saved her life andrid Covid from both lungs virtually overnight while reducing her high fever right back to normal.
Just two days ago while I was visiting with her mother Maria and Susan was on a FaceTime call the three of us wereoverjoyed to be visiting with Lisa while she was smiling the entire visit and also so very happy to have her mother ather side she was actually cooing with happiness while trying to speak, the family was overjoyed hearing her voicejust utter “ahhh sounds” thru her tracheotomy.
With even more appropriate hands on care Lisa herself deserves the respect and dignity of these funds for hernecessary care going forward that would benefit her greatly. It’s that extra stimulation upon giving massages andneeded dental hygiene and physical therapy that we know Lisa will keep on making strives going forward while notlooking back in that rear view mirror. You can tell just how much Lisa loves her family and how much her familyloves her and how much more could be given to her with these funds that this facility just does not have the addedmanpower for even reading or doing weekly manicures or massage for her. Lisa’s family has not left her side in allof these long eight years and are completely dedicated to her needs. They have been a most influence on her thruout her life and have come to terms with her disability but they know she continues to be very happy with the handson care that she continuously needs whether it be in the form of hygiene and hair care or massage or ongoing dailyPT/ OT. Lisa truly deserves these funds and although she is an individual I am asking along with her family that shebe highly considered a well qualified recipient of the funding that thru ARPA funds she would be able to have evenmore hands on care that we believe would greatly enhance her life and well being going forward as it would be inher best interests. No one deserves this money more than Lisa Joy Folino as her family even acted positively onbehalf of the entire community to get the advanced life support for Watertown in which everyone would benefit. Ifthere is some other stipulation that the funds must be given to a group and not an individual we ask they you makean exception based on her special accommodations that are not frivolous in any way but out of necessity for Lisa’swell being. We implore you to consider Lisa’s needs and our great request that we would appreciate your kindconsidering and compassion to this lovely disabled woman who truly should be a recipient of these funds. Herfamily would be forever grateful and hopefully it will be granted by the city counselors.Any further information can be given upon request.
Thank you on behalf of myself as well as her family for listening and for your gracious and kind consideration. Iwould add a bit more bit want this request submitted in a timely fashion by May 26 th by 5 P.M.
Sincerely,Mr. John Sorabella along with family Susan Folino-Bryant and Maria Folino28-30 Orchard StreetWatertown MA 02472
617 201-9838 Cell Phone please Contact for questions
Sent from my iPhone
From:John Sorabella
To:American Rescue Plan Act Input
Subject:Request for ARPA Funds For Lisa J. Folino resent with an added addendum originally filed on 5/25/23 by 5 pm.
See PDF file enclosed
Date:Friday, May 26, 2023 10:57:00 PM
Attachments:Message.pdf
Attention To All Watertown City Counselors Sent on May 25 th, 2023 For Request of ARPA Funds.Filed in a timely manner for a complete and full review.
Enclosed please find an addendum that was mistakenly omitted from my earlier writing to request
funds for Lisa J. Folino with her birthdate being January 24 th, 1962.
A few typos were made previously in my request and I apologize for not proofreading it asthoroughly as I should have.
However, in my opinion I believe that it’s an important fact to include the following information forall of you to read and review to be able to make an informed decision on her behalf that is a uniquesituation. (There are certainly autistic programs available that are heavily funded but there are
simply no special live in facilities that match Lisa’s needs of today, as the Greenhouse, closed yearsago due to a lack of funding. )
At the time of Lisa’s tragedy on the evening of March 17 th, 2015, it was also very unfortunate for
her that even before the arrival of the Watertown Fire department or eventually an Armstrongambulance arrived on scene, a non functioning, non verbal, and not properly charged, defunctdefibrillator was brought to the aide of Lisa’s medical emergency, by a police officer on duty.
The town had virtually invested in the brand new infrastructure of a worthy and outstanding policestation. But there was obviously a lack of ordering special equipment. Perhaps it was also a fundingissue but an important one as new defibrillators were very much needed for each police vehiclewhich fell short at that particular time.
It took Lisa’s tragedy for the funding of brand new Zoll defibrillators for the police vehicles and anypublic town properties that were necessary to have them implemented and available.
Zoll defibrillators are very expensive at approximately $3,000 each and they save countless lives. But like anything they are only as good if they are being checked on appropriately and operatingproperly to be an effective tool. There certainly needs to be accountability, transparency andoversight to every department in Watertown to keep all things running smoothly at all times in the
future.
I truly believe Lisa should be honored for her young life that was forever changed along with herfamily. We knew her to be a very kind, and a very caring person who always had
a heart of gold and was ever so loving towards her mother and only sister. The closeness of familywas most important to her all of her life.
Her tragedy thus was the catalyst that ultimately brought about the appropriate changes that were
needed for the entire community to save precious lives. Right down to the special equipment neededto assist any resident that might be having an emergency in Watertown.
If these ARPA funds are awarded to Lisa J. Folino, in any particular amount that would reallybenefit her and make a real difference in her quality of life, it would be greatly appreciated by herfamily. A conservatorship would then be created for her benefit by her own family.
They are also aware that it would be spent by 2026 and her sister Susan who was certified as a
special needs teacher and taught school in Watertown’s Title One program many years ago couldassist in this venue. Susan was also a first responder and certified by the FAA as a flight crewmember for twenty seven years, who would certainly be able to coordinate a care plan for her sister’snecessity and well being to benefit her in every needed aspect.
Good care and therapy is very expensive and there are a few of Lisa’s nurses from even eight yearsago along with physicians as well that know her sister Susan that recognize her abilities as being agreat advocate in every way for her sister.
Thank you for all of your time and consideration on behalf of Lisa’s family and myself for your fullreview of these much needed funds that will enhance and benefit her life.
Sincerely,
Mr. John Sorabella, And Lisa’s family Susan Folino-Bryant and Maria Folino
28-30 Orchard Street Watertown, MA 02472
617 201-9838 Cell Phone
Applicants on behalf of Lisa J. Folino Please see attachment of PDF file sent today, thank you kindly and please don’t hesitate to inquirefor any questions that you may have.
Sent from my iPhone
Subject Request for Funds For the Folino
Family on Behalf of Lisa J. Folino
From John Sorabella
<sorabellacorp@verizon.net>
To:<arpa@watertown-ma.gov>
Date Today at 5:02 PM
To Members of The City Council That will be
reviewing all of the ARPA fund requests thoroughly
we thank you in advance.
As a long time resident of our town /and newly
named City of Watertown, I am requesting that a
amount of approximately $100,000.00 be awarded
to the Folino Family who have been residents of
Watertown for a wonderfully long (66)sixty six years
for funds to benefit solely and on behalf of their
totally disabled elder daughter Lisa J. Folino who
became totally disabled as a result of a tragedy
occurring on March 17 th, 2015, who fortunately is a
long haul Covid Survivor as well.
Which ultimately and sadly she was a victim of the
very long term fireman dispute which lasted well
over a seven year period for sixty five firefighters, in
which Susan, Lisa’s sister advocated in the
September of 2015 with various town councilors
and town president then Mr. Mark Sideris, for all the
town to end the dispute and act in good faith and
comes to terms to agree to having Advanced Life
Support as well as an appropriate raise for the 65
firefighters, that would assist the entire community
and residents of all of Watertown.
Since Lisa’s disability at age 53 then, and now age
61 has had a severe emotional impact on the family
and Lisa’s life itself, we are requesting these funds
only be distributed to assist Lisa for her disability in
any way that they be beneficial to help make her life
more comfortable as she lacks so much.
She being a full time resident at the Watertown
Health Center where she has endured many
medical emergencies of all proportions, and has
survived.
survived.
She has been bed ridden for much too many years,
whereas her family has advocated for her to have
professional physical therapy and OT along with an
appropriate wheelchair and services that she needs
for instance therapeutic massages that are also not
covered under health care plan to date.
She requires a skilled person to assist the family
with daily or weekly activities that they themselves
have been doing for her all along for the past ( 8 )
eight years, and it would be beneficial if Lisa could
have the treatment from of an added pair of hands
from a qualified kind, and compassionate person
who could assist Lisa’s needs on a part time basis
that she would highly benefit from that she really
needs one on one time daily care which the health
care center can not provide for her since she
became a resident there at the bequest of her own
sister Susan in September of 2019 after being a two
other facilities.
One facility that had closed by the state and the
other being too far away from their home. The
Watertown Health Center is nearby for both family
members and Lisa herself really would greatly
benefit from the personal care and stimulation that
another therapist or even an individual person could
give her as well, that her family members have been
her sole supporters and caregivers since her
catastrophic tragedy.
Apparently since Lisa’s anoxic brain injury occurred
as a result of the nine minute delay of not having
advanced life support arrive in a timely fashion and
for not having that signed contract for an advanced
life support ambulance be parked in Watertown
either.
For just a little bit of background of Lisa herself she
was an active traveler and young lady who had
been coming home to be with her family the evening
her tragedy occurred. She had tripped on the
sidewalk that her own sister had reported three
times in the fall of 2014 that it was a bad trip hazard
to Mr. Bob Rotundi owner of D & R Paving from
Malden, MA whose company had put in the new
paving on Orchard Street as well as the piece of
sidewalk being elevated and already chipped,
sidewalk being elevated and already chipped,
where Lisa’s fell on while wearing rubberized sole
Ugg boots. He had informed Susan that he would
certainly inform the Watertown DPW about it and
get to it but it had never been repaired by anyone
prior to Lisa’s fall. The night of her tragedy this
young girl was not on any self medication or
intoxicated or on any drugs whatsoever. It was just
a long journey home for her to be with her family
and just a tragic accident that she suffered. It was
indeed her sister who begged for help and an
ambulance immediately to assist her as as she was
dazed from her fall as she came into her family’s
home. The fireman were true to their word about
calling in sick because of their lack of a contract,
and all of it could have ended at that fateful January
12 th of 2015 at the fireman’s meeting with the
teamster’s meeting when only one councilor voted
in agreement of the much needed raise and for the
community’s overall needs of having advanced life
support which would ultimately save many lives in
Watertown.
Lisa herself loves family visits and to date as I’ve
clearly expressed they do everything from
necessary hygiene, massage and therapeutic
exercise of movement of her arms and legs and
relaxation therapy and she responds very well and
is so happy all the time with her frequent visits and
care. Not to get into particulars as she is protected
under HIPPA laws but Lisa deserves to have the
extra pair of hands on care that her sister and
mother could easily train and assist her in ways that
she would truly benefit.
The possibilities Lisa could have from this wonderful
ARPA funding would give Lisa the stimulation as
well as added relief for her family as well. Lisa
survived Covid because of her sister’s advocacy as
well as she had gotten Covid in both lungs but her
sister seemed out an appropriate treatment that
they weren’t even using at the hospital where Lisa
was at and she survived five infections occurring at
the same time as Covid in both lungs and was able
to come off a ventilator after 6 weeks. Susan her
sister had them use an infusion of Actemra which
saved her life and rid Covid from both lungs virtually
overnight while reducing her high fever right back to
overnight while reducing her high fever right back to
normal.
Just two days ago while I was visiting with her
mother Maria and Susan was on a FaceTime call
the three of us were overjoyed to be visiting with
Lisa while she was smiling the entire visit and also
so very happy to have her mother at her side she
was actually cooing with happiness while trying to
speak, the family was overjoyed hearing her voice
just utter “ahhh sounds” thru her tracheotomy.
With even more appropriate hands on care Lisa
herself deserves the respect and dignity of these
funds for her necessary care going forward that
would benefit her greatly. It’s that extra stimulation
upon giving massages and needed dental hygiene
and physical therapy that we know Lisa will keep on
making strives going forward while not looking back
in that rear view mirror. You can tell just how much
Lisa loves her family and how much her family loves
her and how much more could be given to her with
these funds that this facility just does not have the
added manpower for even reading or doing weekly
manicures or massage for her. Lisa’s family has not
left her side in all of these long eight years and are
completely dedicated to her needs. They have
been a most influence on her thru out her life and
have come to terms with her disability but they know
she continues to be very happy with the hands on
care that she continuously needs whether it be in
the form of hygiene and hair care or massage or
ongoing daily PT/ OT. Lisa truly deserves these
funds and although she is an individual I am asking
along with her family that she be highly considered
a well qualified recipient of the funding that thru
ARPA funds she would be able to have even more
hands on care that we believe would greatly
enhance her life and well being going forward as it
would be in her best interests. No one deserves this
money more than Lisa Joy Folino as her family even
acted positively on behalf of the entire community to
get the advanced life support for Watertown in
which everyone would benefit. If there is some
other stipulation that the funds must be given to a
group and not an individual we ask they you make
an exception based on her special accommodations
that are not frivolous in any way but out of necessity
for Lisa’s well being. We implore you to consider
for Lisa’s well being. We implore you to consider
Lisa’s needs and our great request that we would
appreciate your kind considering and compassion to
this lovely disabled woman who truly should be a
recipient of these funds. Her family would be forever
grateful and hopefully
!
it will be granted by the
city counselors.
Any further information can be given upon request.
Thank you on behalf of myself as well as her family
for listening and for your gracious and kind
consideration. I would add a bit more bit want this
request submitted in a timely fashion by May 26 th
by 5 P.M.
Sincerely,
Mr. John Sorabella along with family Susan Folino-
Bryant and Maria Folino
28-30 Orchard Street
Watertown MA 02472
617 201-9838 Cell Phone please Contact for
questions
Sent from my iPhone