Parker, ailing Colorado boy have become like brothers

BOULDER, Colo. >> Of all the black-and-gold-clad fans in Folsom Field to root for him and the University of Colorado against Hawaii on Saturday morning, defensive lineman Juda Parker knows there will be a special voice striving to be heard from section 107, row 28.

It is from there that Josiah Speer, a 12-year-old in his second remission from juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, a rare slow-growing tumor of the brain, enthusiastically pulls for his "big brother," No. 56.

They have known each other for barely more than a year and there is no familial tie between the imposing 6-foot, 2-inch, 270-pound senior from Honolulu’s Saint Louis School and the slight youngster from Longmont, Colo. There is, however, a remarkable and touching bond.

"What Juda has done has been so wonderful for our son," said Kirk Speer. "Juda brings out such positives for him."

Through Parker, one of the team captains, the Buffaloes have taken in Josiah as one of their own. He attends their games and several practices, often leading the cheer that closes practice.

Parker and Josiah’s relationship extends beyond football.

"They text each other and play video games when they can," said Kristen Speer, Josiah’s mother. "They get together over the holidays. He had his birthday, he wanted Juda to come over and have pizza."

"Juda talks to him and Josiah looks up to him like a big brother," Kristen said.

Mostly, Kirk said, "Juda has given him something in his life to take him away from all the worries and cares that he has."

It has been a challenging childhood for Josiah, who has twice undergone surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy in battling a disease that often returns and can become more aggressive as youngsters grow older. He’s had a shunt implanted to drain fluid from his brain.

"When we’re together we don’t talk about those things," Parker said. "We try to keep it fun. I like it when he doesn’t have to think about the other things going on in his life."

Parker, who has a brother one year older than Josiah back in Aiea, said, "He shouldn’t have to think about those things at his age. He should be able to enjoy himself."

In addition to the medical aspects, family members say Josiah has had to contend with the social stigma the disease has raised among other kids who don’t understand he is not contagious and often shun their son.

"He has gone through some abandonment issues with his friends, but Juda has been there to talk him through it," Kristen said. "Juda encourages him and assures him that he will never abandon him and that he will always be his friend."

For all he has done for Josiah, Parker maintains his young friend has done just as much for him.

"He has taught me so much about the brevity of life and how precious it is," Parker said. "Being able to spend time with him has been special just because he is so full of joy. He’s truly touched my heart."

Parker will be admired for what he has done on the field as a three-year starter. But Kirk says his stay in Colorado will be remembered for so much more.

"The fact that he is a 20-something college kid who has been able to have the positive impact he has had makes him impressively stand out."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.