Senior Rolando Rosado
LiFT’s 2019 Prom
Rolando Rosado was an adorable, 21-month-old typical toddler the day he experienced a near drowning. The experience left him with a brain injury from lack of oxygen. He spent 3 days in an induced coma followed by a week in ICU where doctors evaluated him and tried to determine what his needs would be moving forward. During this time of uncertainty, a rehabilitation doctor was brought in for a consult. She looked at his mother, Dawn Rosado, and gave the misguided report that, “He’s just not a candidate for rehab.” Dawn thought she must be out of her mind! Fortunately, the doctors working with Rolando did not listen to her consult. He went on to have 8 weeks of inpatient therapy with many years of outpatient therapy through 6th grade. This included speech and both occupational and physical therapy. Doctors also gave Rolando a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis, as much of the symptoms and challenges he was faced with were like that of a person with CP.
At first, Rolando was in special education classes in public school, but they began the mainstreaming process for him in 3rd grade where he attended a general education math class that year. In 4th grade they added a few more general education classes and in 5th grade he was fully mainstreamed – despite his ongoing needs. Dawn explains that, “the public middle school options they were being presented with would absolutely not be options that would meet his needs. That is when we began to look elsewhere.”
The family found LiFT through the parent of a LiFT student. When they learned about our program they knew it was where he belonged. He started at LiFT Academy in 6th grade and has been with us ever since.
When asked how she has seen LiFT influence Rolando, Dawn says, “He has grown in self-esteem, total independence, learning to be himself and being ok with being himself. LiFT has given him inclusion and confidence.”
Today, Rolando is a senior! Teachers and staff have been talking about his amazing growth and development over the years he has been with us, especially a notable growth in maturity and confidence over the past year. He never complains and has an undeniable reputation for being one of the kindest young men we know. A typical teenage boy, he is working hard to get through high school, battling “senioritis” and wondering what the future will bring. We at LiFT know that the same determination and positive spirit that has gotten him to this milestone in life will continue to guide his next steps. As Dawn says, “the fact that he is walking and talking is a miracle!” The LiFT team knows that there are GREAT things to come for Rolando!!!