Overcoming disability, Kentucky State University assistant drum major shines

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FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- She took the road less traveled, and it hasn’t been easy.

But Darian’e Johnson sees a graduation finish line and she’s smiling.

Halftime is show time for the Thorobreds Marching Band at Kentucky State University football games.

While sitting in Alumni Stadium and watching at midfield the energetic band and the precise, fluid, soulful moves of Darian’e – the 22-year-old assistant drum major – it’s hard to imagine she has a disability.

In her senior year of high school in Columbus, Ohio, Darian’e suffered brain contusions after falling down the stairs at her home and hitting her head on the end of a foosball table.

“I don’t know what caused it but I blacked out,” she recalls. “I have no recollection of anything. The only thing I know is what others have told me.”

A younger sister was the only other person in the house at the time of the accident, and she called 911.

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