Page 181 - The Exceptional Harley Fetterman
P. 181

THE EXCEPTIONAL HARLEY FETTERMAN

               Brandon was easily astonished at the notion that Harley was a
             proficient swimmer—how does a blind kid learn to swim like a fish?
             At their initial swim date, Harley elected to enter the pool for the first
             time   by sliding  down one  of  the  tall,  circular  water  slides.  The
             lifeguard's faces showed instant and extreme concern when Brandon
             somehow managed to reveal with gestures that Harley was blind.
             After Harley had made several successful trips down the water slides,
             the lifeguards approached Brandon determined to know if Harley was
             actually   blind   since   he   so   clearly   impressed   them   all   with   his
             swimming skills. All Harley had really required from Brandon, in
             order to navigate the pool, was a few verbal communications to map
             the pool out in his head. Within a few weeks, Harley easily swam
             from one end of the pool to the other without help.
               Being close as brothers meant supporting each other through both
             good and not-so-good times. Brandon kept track of what was going
             on in Harley's life and participated with unwavering support even
             when Harley faced difficult times, always bringing smiles and hugs to
             every situation—even when surgery was scheduled for Thanksgiving.
             Harley went out of his way to lighten everyone's mood by describing
             his preference for the bubblegum flavored anesthesia.


























                             Figure 147: What flavor anesthetic
                                        do you like?


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