After Journey of Recovery, Local Resident Looks Abroad
Kay/Karen Lock Kolp, left, shown with her family, overcame a tendon disorder which took away her ability to walk more than a few steps. After 11 years of recovery, she aims to journey 182 miles in the UK.
By J.D. O’Gara
Bellingham resident Kay/Karen Lock Kolp has plans to walk across the North of England next year.
In 2011, she might not have thought that possible.
“I developed a tendon disorder in 2011 which took away my ability to walk more than a few steps,” says Lock Kolp, “to go beyond that, I needed a wheelchair.”
Over 11 years, beginning with aquatic physical therapy, Lock Kolp rehabilitated her body, with lots of support from doctors, physical therapists and loved ones.
“It’s been a long road to recovery, and this year, I feel well enough to begin training for something big. I chose the Coast-to-Coast Path that goes through the Lakes District National Park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the North York Moors National Park in the UK, 182 miles total. I expect to be able to do it in about three weeks. “
The pastelist, who does all of her online work by voice, was inspired to choose a path that goes right through the Yorkshire Dales, the place James Herriot wrote about in All Creatures Great and Small, as the work was of great significance to Lock Holp as a child.
The 23-year resident of Bellingham, who has two grown children, will share her solo journey on social media, as well as her artwork along the way. Also a life coach, Lock Kolp hopes to inspire others, but is asking for support to get there.
If you would like to support her adventure, visit
“I’m raising money for getting to England and the housing along the trail, and the equipment I’ll need,” she says, “It took a village to get me better, to this point with my tendon condition, and there’s still a lot of things I cannot do,” says but I’ll be doing it with all these incredible people I’ve been able to connect with, feeling like they’re there with me.”
