Connect

Reach out anytime with suggestions, comments, for support or questions. We enjoy hearing from our community!

Email

welcome@theabilityharbor.com

© 2026. All rights reserved.

Follow us on Instagram!

Founder's Story

As a medical professional, I spent my entire career caring for people at their most vulnerable. I had the privilege of standing beside families as they welcomed new life and holding hands as others said goodbye to someone they loved dearly. My work was never just a job—it was a calling, and I poured my heart and soul into it.

In 2005, everything changed. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, a blow I never expected. Overnight, I found myself on the other side of the medical world—the patient instead of the professional. Over the years, I faced multiple surgeries, chemotherapy trials, and the latest radiation therapies. Each offered hope, but none could stop the tumor’s relentless growth. Eventually, I had to face the painful truth that I could no longer continue the work I loved and depended on. That loss brought its own kind of grief.

Not long after my third surgery and another round of radiation, I experienced a medical emergency at home—status epilepticus. Simply put, it’s a seizure lasting more than five minutes or a series of seizures without regaining consciousness in between. Quick treatment is essential to prevent permanent injury or even death. They estimated I was on the floor for several hours before help arrived.

When I woke up four days later, everything felt unfamiliar. My memory was clouded, my body unsteady, and I had no idea what had happened. What I did learn was that my life had changed permanently. I now had uncontrolled epilepsy caused by extensive scarring from surgeries and radiation.

I spent the next three months in a neurological rehabilitation program. I relearned how to balance and move. I worked through cognitive challenges. I learned how to adapt and rebuild my independence. It was a long, humbling journey—but I wasn’t alone. With an incredible support network and a determination to keep moving forward, I slowly began piecing my life back together.

Light and Love.

Buckley - Service Dog Extraordinaire