Page 169 - The Exceptional Harley Fetterman
P. 169

THE EXCEPTIONAL HARLEY FETTERMAN

               Their friendship continued on often sharing many ideas  about
             schoolwork, long conversations, and lots of laughter. She was witness
             to his courage, and drive which instilled in her a desire to learn
             computer science principals after his example. Cricket and Harley
             were also close FaceBook friends and in October of 2015, several
             joking, friendly FB entries hinted that she was his girlfriend.
               Another   friend,   Kelly   Cusack,   originally   met   Harley   while
             attending the NFB Project Innovation program. She asked him for
             help   with   a   computer   experiment.   Harley   agreed   immediately,
             although neither of them knew where the computer lab was located.
               Kelly  and  Harley  wandered  the   Jernigan  Institute  over   fifteen
             minutes opening every unlocked door hoping that they wouldn't get
             into trouble. Finally, through trial and error, they managed to find the
             right door to the computer lab. Kelly's study experiment included
             playing Armadillo Army and taking Mad Minute Multiplication tests
             before and after the game. Their laughter while gaming got them both
             sidetracked with the games, not getting much done and causing a bit
             of pandemonium. Sadly, when they eventually left the computer lab,
             they got lost again.
               As their adventure continued, they came across a blind driver golf
             cart. Their better judgment prevented them from trying to drive it, but
             they thoroughly enjoyed exploring every inch of it. All the while, they
             forgot about their unfinished projects. This adventure with Harley
             taught Kelly that blind people actually can overcome setbacks and
             obstacles in their path.
               Su Park and Harley started their rivalry when they participated in
             the Texas Regional Braille Challenge where Harley maintained his
             first-place finish. In fun, they accused each other of cheating. Harley
             was known to have verbal skirmishes with friends at the Braille
             Challenge which at times ended in a random fencing match between
             Su Park, Harley, and Merlyn in the middle of a hallway without
             warning. One of them would just go after another with their cane, and
             it was on. Harley was also clever enough to throw obstacles in the
             path of the others. He would hide long enough to get the other two to
             give up chasing him before actually coming after them himself in
             genuine fun between the threesome.


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