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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