Kimberly's accomplishments began with a career as a professional equestrian, competing on the prestigious Grand Prix Show Jumping circuit, on her way to securing a position on the United States Equestrian Team. Her lifelong dream was ended by a horrible car accident in 1998 that left her with a traumatic brain injury. Sometime later, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
In 1999, Kimberly was partnered with her first service dog, Dewey, and gained comfort, confidence, and the ability to master a new way of life. This former athlete's fighting sprit rose from the rubble of her broken dreams. She refused neither to be defeated, nor to accept mediocrity and continued her life's journey with unfailing faith and a positive attitude. She demanded more of her recovery, and far surpassed what the medical community expected of her.
At the end of 1999, Kimberly single-handedly founded what has become an award-winning nonprofit called, Canine and Abled, Inc. The program provides educational demonstrations to promote awareness regarding canines that assist persons with disabilities. Kimberly tackled her speech difficulties in order to speak to others regarding the benefits of service dogs in an attempt to abolish illegal access denial that she learned was a huge problem throughout the service dog community. She has advocated and is proactive for disability rights and is driven by her passion. (The incredible Canine and Abled story is featured in Kimberly's first book.)
Through a grueling and painful rehabilitation, to combating access denial, learning how to read/write and talk again and battling cognitive issues to create an award-winning educational program and advocate for others--Kimberly faltered, but did not waiver from the path of success that she had set her athlete's mind on.
On November 9, 2002, Kimberly beat the odds again and gave birth to the child she'd yearned for, yet was told would be impossible due to medical complications. Her precious daughter, Sarah came into the world just three months after her father left--never to be heard from again. Kimberly loves being a Mom,. and bravely faces challenges of being a single parent with disabilities.
In October of 2006, Kimberly faced perhaps the biggest hurdle of her life, when she, her daughter, and her service dogs became homeless due to abuse from a family member. Kimberly adopted a positive and faithful attitude despite her dire situation, and created new speaking opportunities through her new set of challenges. She got to work right away, writing about her trials; applying her old strategies and implementing new ones in order to present them to audiences on stage. To see her on stage, using her personal tragedies as positive teaching tools, giving her heart to her audiences; is positively magical.
Kimberly is a very proud Mom to a six-year old daughter, and lives with the three Canine and Abled dogs; Dawson, Najda & Gracie. She is available nationwide for speaking engagements and book signings.
For more information:
Kimberly Carnevale
609-760-7869
Canine and Abled, Inc.
