Joliet Jaguars, Rockford Hockey Club come together to support Gardner boy

JOLIET – Like all sports teams, the Joliet Jaguars and Rockford Hockey Club can be fierce rivals on the ice.

But Saturday, in between the game the two PeeWee-level teams played at Inwood Ice Rink in Joliet, the hockey players joined forces to show caring, compassion and support for Parker Farrero, the game’s honorary coach and captain that day.

Parker is a second-grader at Gardner Grade School who loves hockey. He suffers from Batten disease, a neurological disease where cells are thrown out of balance with the build-up of proteins and lipids (fats), according to the Batten Disease Research and Support Association.

Because the cells become damaged, people with Batten’s begin to experience progressive neurological impairment, including seizures, visual impairment/blindness, personality and behavior changes, dementia, loss of motor skills and the ability to walk, talk and communicate.

Parker was 6 when he began having symptoms. The first was declining vision, said his mom Theresa Farrero. At first, he was diagnosed with a retinal disease. It took another 1½ years and multiple doctors to discover what was wrong.

“For some kids, it takes years before they find somebody who can diagnose this,” Theresa said.

Parker is nearly blind and has begun experiencing some of the personality changes that make it difficult to handle many situations.

But Saturday, he braved the crowds and the constant noise of the hockey rink to be honorary captain and coach for the Jaguars Team PeeWee Shugle. He was given a Jaguar jersey – No. 5 – a VIP pass so he could go on the Jaguars’ bench, and multiple tokens of support from the PeeWee team and the Jaguar Hockey Club.

Jaguar players wrapped their sticks in red tape, Parker’s favorite color, said Jaguars PeeWee I team manager Kim Parr. They had helmet stickers made for both teams with the slogan “Battling Battens For Parker.”

“The kids are really excited about this,” Parr said. “They are honored to have him come and be their captain.”

Part of the team

It all started when Quinn Walsh, one of Parker’s helpers at Gardner, wanted to have Parker over to play. Quinn’s mom, Lauren Walsh, is the secretary of the Jaguar PeeWee I team, and the two came up with the idea of inviting Parker to one of the games.

“Then it just snowballed,” Lauren Walsh said. “Parker is such a sweetie.”

Hearing about the events planned for Parker, the Rockford Hockey Club also wanted to take part. The club brought Parker a team jersey and other gifts to give him after the game, Rockford team manager Kevin Wald said. Gifts included tickets to the Rockford Ice Hogs game, signed pictures of Blackhawk players Marián Hossa and Corey Crawford and gear from both pro teams.

After the Zamboni cleared the ice, Parker was escorted by Lauren and Quinn Walsh to where the Jaguars would enter the rink to begin their warm-ups. As the players came down the ramp in full gear, everyone fist-bumped Parker.

He was then taken to the team’s bench, where coaches Ryan Schuman and Russ Slagle explained the warm-up drills to the honorary captain.

Parker still has some sight, and he wears super-powered goggles that help him identify his surroundings.

With warm-ups done and the clock set to begin the first period, Parker was escorted along a red carpet onto the ice, where he got to drop the ceremonial first puck of the game. The crowd clapped and cheered loudly. Whenever the Jaguars scored, they found Parker in the stadium, skated up to him, and taped their sticks on the barrier so he could take part in the celebration.

Jaguar families from all team levels came out to meet and support Parker. The stadium was decorated with signs and streamers, and half the proceeds from the chuck-a-puck contest went to the Farrero family.

Parker was a bit overwhelmed with it all – the vibrating music in the background between plays, the cheering of the crowds in the stands, even the typical smell of the hockey rink.

When asked if he was having a good time, he managed a big nod of his head and a resounding “yes.” Then with quiet reserve, he added, “That’s all I have to say at the moment.”

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VIDEO AVAILABLE

Jaguar TV recorded Saturday’s game that Parker attended, with an after-game interview with Parker. Those looking to purchase the DVD can contact leave a message for the Joliet Jaguar Television at 815-730-0766.