{"id":1320034,"date":"2020-05-14T22:12:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T04:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/valley-life-for-all-kolakanta-darling-says-im-still-the-same-person-i-used-to-be\/"},"modified":"2020-05-14T22:12:00","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T04:12:00","slug":"valley-life-for-all-kolakanta-darling-says-im-still-the-same-person-i-used-to-be","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/valley-life-for-all-kolakanta-darling-says-im-still-the-same-person-i-used-to-be\/","title":{"rendered":"Valley Life for All: Kolakanta Darling says \u2018I\u2019m still the same person I used to be\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kolakanta Darling<\/strong>
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Editor\u2019s note: The Post Independent, in conjunction with Valley Life For All, continues a monthly series of profiles about people in our community who have different abilities. As we all share a new challenge labeled COVID-19, we can learn from our friends and neighbors who have grown strong making their way through a life that has been out-of-the-norm. In this new reality of challenge, they are the leaders.<\/p>\n

Kolakanta Darling, a longtime Roaring Fork Valley local, loves the outdoors. One of her favorite things to do is to hike to the cross on Red Mountain in Glenwood Springs. But she doesn\u2019t hike up like most people \u2014 she gets there on an adapted Segway with a seat.<\/p>\n

Kolakanta has multiple sclerosis (MS) and transverse myelitis, an inflammation in the spinal cord. Diagnosed in 2002, she struggled with the limits that come with having MS. \u201cMy left leg drags. It\u2019s like having two different legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

She went through a grieving stage, which she says is essential to recovery. \u201cWhen there\u2019s a significant change to the body, there\u2019s grief with it,\u201d says Kolakanta. But she is an optimistic woman. \u201cI miss what I used to be able to do, so I learned to focus on what makes my heart smile. For me, it\u2019s faith that gets me through. My daily mantra is Isaiah 40: 28-31, \u201cBut those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.\u201d<\/p>\n

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