Single, Disabled Mom Motivates Others With Lollipop Lesson While Overcoming Homelessness

Nov. 13, 2007 - PRLog -- Kimberly Carnevale is no stranger to adversity.  In fact, she’s learned the secret to using it to prevail over seemingly insurmountable challenges, and shares these important lessons in the form of motivational articles and speeches—all the while battling Multiple Sclerosis, raising a five-year-old daughter alone, running a nonprofit organization, and overcoming homelessness that stemmed from a brutal attack brought on by a once-trusted family member.

This former professional athlete channels her personal experiences into her writing; sharing strategies that she developed and applied in order to overcome the trials and tribulations life has brought her way.  She started posting her writings on Internet classified sites such as Craigslist, with the hope that others might benefit or be inspired by her testimony.  

One of her most popular articles, The Lollipop Lesson, literally changed her life.  “I was feeling really down, trapped in the depression that the attack and subsequent homelessness had caused,” Carnevale states.  “One day when I was out with a my daughter, I bought her a lollipop that I really couldn’t afford.  Her reaction to that simplest of gestures literally broke the chains around my heart and set it free.  For the first time in nearly a year, I was able to start feeling again…and with feeling; I started to heal. The Lollipop Lesson marks the exact moment I took back control of my life and started to live again.”  Kimberly posted The Lollipop Lesson on Craigslist late one night, and was astounded at the response she received.  “The Lollipop Lesson touched a cord with many readers, and I was surprised at how much interest that one article produced.”  Within a two-week time, The Lollipop Lesson was published in over a dozen e-zines; Kimberly was invited to write several more articles for various publications, and has started to carve a much-needed new career as a motivational speaker.  

“I learned a long time ago that the best way to help yourself is to help others.  I didn’t have anything left to give except my writing; but it was from my heart, and so I knew that it was enough.  Hearing from others how my words comforted them and inspired them to make some change for the good is such a gift to me… and to be able to reach even more people though my motivational speaking is beyond words—I have found my true calling, and am truly blessed.”  

Kimberly says she has found the secret to happiness; thanks to the inspiration of her little girl and a good old-fashioned lollipop.  

More about Kimberly:
Kimberly’s accomplishments began as a professional equestrian vying for a spot on the United States Equestrian Team.  Her bid was ended by a tragic accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury and subsequent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.  Kimberly faced a long rehabilitation to relearn to read, write, walk and talk again.  She was partnered with her first service dog in 1999 and single-handedly founded what has become an award-winning service dog educational program, Canine and Abled, Inc., which has been featured on TV, in magazines and in her first book.  Kimberly is a strong voice for the disabled community, advocating for service dog handlers, and educating about the tremendous benefits that service dogs provide for their partners with disabilities.  She was finishing up her second book and was hard at work with Canine and Abled appearances when the attack on her and her family occurred in October of 2006.  She has since developed and implemented new strategies and reports that she is back on the road to success; and is very excited to learn where this next fork in her journey leads her.  For more information about Kimberly: http://www.CanineAndAbled.com or http://www.KimberlyCarnevale.com   609-213-7790.

Website: www.CanineAndAbled.com