Page 98 - The Exceptional Harley Fetterman

JUDY K JOHNSON

“Other things that make the medical center special are the little
gardens on each level of the hospital, and the atrium where you can
eat outside of the cafeteria. Also, the walls of the medical center were
built with many different materials and textures to give the kids
variety in what they look at. Even a blind person like myself can
appreciate the differences between the tiled floors in the entry and the
smooth wood on the bridge as you cross above the Panda Unit to go
to the Tree House gift store and registration. And my mom would not
be happy if I didn’t mention the delicious cherry turnovers in the
coffee shop, something we would fight over when I could eat them.”
“These are just a few of the many things that make the medical
center special for me and other patients like me. I really want to thank
you for helping to keep it special for all of us.”

Harley, masterfully utilizing his white cane for safely tracking
from one place to another unassisted, was adamant about attending
White Cane Day in downtown Austin. This unique day has been a
national observance in the US on October 15 annually since 1964 to
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educate the world about blindness—how the blind and visually
impaired can live and work independently while giving back to their
communities. This well attended event celebrates the abilities and
successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world and honors the
many contributions made by the blind and visually impaired.

During his middle school years, Harley (accompanied by Loni
Girdler and about 200 other supporters) gathered on the south lawn of
the Texas Capitol in Austin annually to march through downtown to
Republic Square Park at W. 4th and Guadalupe St. for festivities and
recognition of the achievements of the visually impaired.

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