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The Little Rock Foundation – (TLRF) was established in 1997 after giving birth to our son Rocco, who was born 4 months premature. His only lasting challenge is blindness caused by Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). After staying in the hospital for a long time, we left with very little information on how to raise a child with who could not see. After months of researching there seemed to be very little information for parents who have blind children and a real lack of resources to support parents and their families. TLRF is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit 100% volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of children who are blind or visually impaired. The foundation is run completely by loving, caring volunteers who tirelessly give their time talents and resources to help children who are blind or visually impaired.
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Rocco Nicholas Fiorentino
The Little Rock Foundation was named after Rocco Fiorentino, who was born four months premature. He weighed 1½ pounds at birth. He was so under developed that many of his organs developed after he was born. Try to imagine a child the size of a ruler, with a head smaller than a baseball. Rocco's skin was so transparent that touching it could actually remove it. His body had to be covered with saran wrap to help maintain his body temperature. His chance of survival was less than 5 %. He was so close to death that his parents took it minute by minute, hour by hour, not day by day. Our painful ordeal continued for four months at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Rocco has endured twelve major surgeries, and has beaten the odds against him. "A miracle child", is how the hospital staff refers to him now. Remarkably, his only lasting challenge is blindness caused by Retinopathy of Prematurity. |
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