Her journey from
child born
without feet to
Cuban immigrant
to hotel maid to
practicing
attorney is a
testament to her
drive, friends
say.
"Some people do
100 percent,"
Osceola County
Judge Ronald
Legendre said.
"Some people do
150 percent. She
just gives 250
percent to
anything she
decides to do."
Leon was born
with a genetic
disorder called
neurofibromatosis,
which causes
tumors, skin
discoloration
and, sometimes,
bone deformities
and learning
disabilities.
In Leon's case,
her feet were
little more than
gnarled,
misshapen knobs.
Sixteen painful
surgeries later
-- including the
addition of
artificial
tendons and pins
-- she can walk,
albeit with a
slight limp. "I
was so blessed,"
Leon said. "I
dance. I do
everything."
Growing up in
Cuba, Leon
endured teasing
from classmates
who made fun of
the casts she
wore after her
operations. They
pushed her down
a hill in her
wheelchair and
shoved her into
rosebushes.
Instead of
growing
dejected, she
let the
experiences
build her
resolve.
"It's part of
who I am," she
said. "It has
really made me a
stronger
person."
Leon credits her
mother, Aida
Bennett, with
instilling in
her the
importance of
education.
Bennett made
sure her
daughter never
missed school in
spite of
hospital stays
and doctor
visits. Bennett
carried her
daughter in her
arms to a city
bus stop at 5
a.m. so they
could get to the
hospital for
treatment, then
delivered Leon
to school by the
8:30 a.m.
starting time.
"My mother was
the biggest
inspiration,"
Leon said. "I
walk because of
her dedication
and commitment."
IMMIGRATION
ORDEAL
Leon's parents
separated, and
she, her brother
and mother moved
to the United
States in 1980.
They went first
to Costa Rica
with 34 other
illegal refugees
and eventually
chartered a
small boat from
Bimini to
Florida.
On the way, they
were caught in a
fearsome
nighttime storm
and were forced
to toss their
belongings
overboard. As
they did, she
heard someone
yell, "Dios mio,"
-- "My God." .
"That was my
first encounter
with God," she
said. "In Cuba,
I never heard of
God because it
was Communist.
[Now] every
single day I
thank God for my
life 10 times."
Attorney
Conquers Life's
Trials