Caution: This isn’t some fake reality show! This a real story about how a humanistic bunch of people rallied to help an autistic person succeed at college and sports, and integrate into a mountain community. After high school, many people thought Harrison Walter would most likely to go to a group home. Instead, he attended Colorado Mountain College in the highest city in the U.S. — Leadville, Colorado, elevation 10,200 feet. There he ran on the college cross country and track team, and graduated with an associates degree in general studies and welding certificates.
Along this journey Harrison, nicknamed “The Blur” not just for his running — but for the gray line between his reality and society’s — gained friends and supporters, including his coach, professors, teammates and classmates, employers, and others in the Leadville community. One of Harrison’s teammates, Nate Encinias, proved to be Harrison’s guardian angel, helping him navigate the intricacies of college life. Nate helped Harrison through countless problems and was ultimately hired by the college to be Harrison’s peer advisor. Another empathic soul, Mark “Smokey” Burgess, took Harrison on as an employee in his Leadville consignment and sports shop, aptly named Community Threads. Harrison has continued to work for Smokey after graduation and also is employed at a local coffee shop, City on a Hill. Harrison’s coach Darren Brungardt endured countless challenges while helping Harrison succeed as a collegiate runner, ultimately being honored with the team’s Most Valuable Runner award. Meanwhile Harrison’s many professors rallied to work around his learning differences.
I am Harrison’s dad and served as his aide and part-time roommate in his dorm room at the age of 62(!), supporting him in academics, running and life skills. This grew into a fairly complex and raw tale of many characters, friendships, adventures and community, currently being developed as The Blur Goes to College.
Along this journey Harrison, nicknamed “The Blur” not just for his running — but for the gray line between his reality and society’s — gained friends and supporters, including his coach, professors, teammates and classmates, employers, and others in the Leadville community. One of Harrison’s teammates, Nate Encinias, proved to be Harrison’s guardian angel, helping him navigate the intricacies of college life. Nate helped Harrison through countless problems and was ultimately hired by the college to be Harrison’s peer advisor. Another empathic soul, Mark “Smokey” Burgess, took Harrison on as an employee in his Leadville consignment and sports shop, aptly named Community Threads. Harrison has continued to work for Smokey after graduation and also is employed at a local coffee shop, City on a Hill. Harrison’s coach Darren Brungardt endured countless challenges while helping Harrison succeed as a collegiate runner, ultimately being honored with the team’s Most Valuable Runner award. Meanwhile Harrison’s many professors rallied to work around his learning differences.
I am Harrison’s dad and served as his aide and part-time roommate in his dorm room at the age of 62(!), supporting him in academics, running and life skills. This grew into a fairly complex and raw tale of many characters, friendships, adventures and community, currently being developed as The Blur Goes to College.
