Staff Spotlight on Leslie Corletto

Leslie has been in and around RFENC for a good number of years. She has led a Spanish-speaking support group for a while, but in 2016 she agreed to sign on as an employee and became our receptionist. She does so much more than just answer the phones. Here’s our conversation with Leslie.

RFENC: What brought you to Rowell Family Empowerment?
Leslie Corletto: My son Werner was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old, in 1998. At that time we lived in Santa Rosa. Then we moved into Redding and I found out about Rowell Family Empowerment. I started coming to Rowell because I wanted to learn about and understand his disability and how to make him successful. Not too long after that my daughter Suzette started showing some learning disabilities. I wanted to get educated about their disabilities and figure out ways to help them.

RFENC: What, in your opinion, is the most valuable thing you could tell a new parent?
LC: Don’t give up on your children’s ability. I don’t call it a “DISability” because there’s a lot of things our kids can do and be successful at. The things they CAN DO far outweigh the few things they CAN’T DO.

RFENC: What kind of activities do you enjoy?
LC: I enjoy walking. I like to be at home sharing with my husband and my kids. My life is kinda boring. (laughing) I like to be at home preparing meals. Every morning I come to work I enjoy it a lot!

RFENC: In your life who is touched by diverse ability?
LC: My son Werner who has autism and my daughter Suzette who was diagnosed when she was 15. Werner was born in 1995 and Suzette came along in 1997.

RFENC: What’s your philosophy on life?
LC: Be happy and live everyday like it’s gonna be your last. And be grateful for who you are and what blessings you have.

RFENC: If you won $2 million what would you do with it?
LC: First, I would use it to help my kids and make sure they’re financially secure for the rest of their lives. Then I’d remodel my mother’s house. She probably wouldn’t want me to buy her a new one! And then I’d go traveling with my husband to all the cities in Guatemala that we don’t know (Editor’s note: Leslie is a native of Guatemala). OH! And I’d buy a new house here in Redding too and invite my siblings to come visit me! I’d pay their airfare.

RFENC: If a crow with only one wing is flying North in the winter at an average speed of 10 MPH, how long would it take to drive to Cuba?
LC: I don’t think that’s going to be possible. You said “fly” so with one wing it can’t fly. And I feel very sorry about that poor little bird. But I’d wish he could grow a new wing back. (Smiling and laughing)