Page 36 - The Exceptional Harley Fetterman

JUDY K JOHNSON

gone. After being reassured that his situation was not life threatening,
Harley and his parents felt hope for the future and determination to
continue his treatments and his education.
The decision was made to place Harley in Special Education so
that he could begin to learn Braille and use a white cane for mobility.
This loving family felt catapulted into the world of “special needs”
and forced to learn about appropriate accessibility tools. Optimistic
Harley was eager to acquire the interesting but challenging tools and
to gain the expertise to be able to fulfill his homework requirements.
He was determined to be able to read and learn. He developed the
philosophy that if his eyesight didn't return, he would be well
prepared for a good life. He also theorized that if he regained his
eyesight, he could still have a great opportunity teaching life skills to
the blind. He felt that, either way, God would guide his life. As Harley
improved his skills, his confidence improved—so well that his natural
social interactions thrived again. He was such a likable kid. Students
enjoyed being around him and helped out whenever they could.
Harley really enjoyed “Specially for Children” clinic whenever he
was taking treatments at Children's Hospital in Austin. One of his best
Child Specialist friends there was Cindy Fitzpatrick who made sure
Harley had plenty of good experiences while doing treatments at the
hospital. Cindy and Jennifer, Harley's nurse, arranged for Harley to
get tickets for a Hilary Duff concert and actually attend her Meet &
Greet afterwards. This performance entitled the “Most Wanted Tour”
held at Austin's Frank Erwin Center featured her popular studio
album. Harley loved his Hilary Duff CD and often commented, “She's
a really Hot Babe!” Harley's concert seats were on the right side of the
stage just off the floor—a great spot for him to enjoy all her songs
which he sang along with all the lyrics to “Anywhere But Here,”
“Metamorphosis,” “So Yesterday,” “Where Did I Go Right?” “Rock
This World,” “The Getaway,” “My Generation,” “The Math,” and
more. Often these lyrics had personal interpretations for Harley.

Harley continued chemotherapy for a little over a year during
which his tumor appeared to stop growing. His tumor had been
categorized as a slow growing type and was not as life threatening as
other tumors are. But if it grew into other parts of his brain, it might
potentially affect behavior and growth, as well as, his loss of sight.
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