Embracing Adversity

Adversity.  The word alone conjures up negativity.  What if, instead of viewing adversity negatively, we shift our perspective to meet it head on, learn from it, and perhaps even come to embrace it—believing that through adversity, we have the ability to become champions in our lives?

I was a professional athlete, vying for a spot on the United States Equestrian Team when a 1998 accident left me with brain injury. I was forced to relearn what most take for granted such as reading, writing, walking and talking. Sometime later, I was diagnosed with MS.   In 1999, I was partnered with my first service dog, and I embarked on new life.  Dewey pulled my wheelchair, alerted to my seizures, taught me how to walk again; but most importantly, he taught me how to live again!

Shortly after being partnered, I started experiencing illegal access denial. Vowing to be the voice of teams everywhere, I went back to the places that had denied me access and spoke to their staff. I visited schools, churches, civic organizations, and anywhere I could spread my message. I published many articles about my work, and gradually built a program called, Canine and Abled.  My small, local program grew into what has become an award-winning, nonprofit organization that has been booked to high acclaim throughout the Eastern seaboard.  Canine and Abled, Inc. is also featured in my first book, “Canine and Abled, Taking The Dis Out of Disabled.”  This program rose from the rubble of my shattered dream and provided me with a new and bigger one. This is something I could never imagine myself doing before; and now, can’t imagine doing anything else.

I was blessed with the child I was told would be impossible on November 9, 2002.  Her father left three months prior to her birth, and I never heard from him again.  I faced new challenges being a single parent with disabilities, but those were overshadowed by the tremendous love and joy that I felt for the much-anticipated daughter I named, Sarah.

In October of 2006, I faced my biggest hurdle yet.  Sarah, my dogs and I became homeless due to abuse from an alcoholic family member.  I was terrified at first, and my fear prevented me from moving forward. We’d lost our home, our possessions, our friends, and what family we had left. I tried to remain strong for Sarah, waiting until she slept to cry tears of loss and fear.  But while I was consumed with loss, my daughter was secure in the knowledge of what we still had—because through it all, we still had each other.  Her calm courage and insightfulness astounded me, snapping me out of my depression. I learned such amazing things from her during this time; things that helped me overcome my fear and allowed me to put new motivational strategies to work in creating a new life. 

Losing my home gave me the opportunity of a fresh start.  I utilized the strategies I’d applied after my accident; adopted some new ones, and I slowly began to inch forward.  I began to write again, and my automatic writings became articles that found their way to the business community. I carved a niche for myself as a motivational speaker, satisfying both my need for income and my desire to inspire others. 

Adversity has been a familiar and welcomed force in my life. It has made me stronger, has brought out amazing capabilities in my little girl, and it has prepared us for a new and better future.  We’re still working towards a permanent home, and we’re ready for our new life—one blessed by having overcome challenges brought on by adversity.

When adversity comes knocking at the door of your life, put out the welcome mat!  Embrace the challenge of change, and become the champion in your life.


--Kimberly Carnevale