Athlete Signing Day: TIRR Hotwheels Athlete to Play at Collegiate Level

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Signing day for college athletes usually revolves around blue-chip recruits, and January 8th at Elkins High School was no different. Senior Fabian Romo signed to play with The University of Texas Arlington’s Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team.

Romo was just four-years-old when his life changed dramatically. As a result of a congenital defect called proximal focal femoral deficiency (PFFD), Romo had a left leg above the knee amputation. When he found wheelchair basketball three years ago, he found a way to pursue his dreams, allowing him to never consider himself disabled.

As a member of the TIRR (The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research) Memorial Hermann Junior Hotwheels team, Romo helped the team win a National Championship his sophomore year and was chosen 1st Team All Tournament Male. The Movin’ Mavs have a long history of consistently producing All-American athletes and winning National Championships – seven in all – while having an extraordinarily high graduation rate. Romo looks forward to playing in college and said the sky is the limit when it comes to competitive sports after college.

Prior to his disorder, Romo was an active child who loved sports. After his injury, he found it difficult to keep up with other kids because of his prosthetic, but he didn’t let his disability stop him. Romo found ways to play the sports he loved from his wheelchair – never letting his disability become his excuse. His motto: “I just try and make the most of what I have.” Romo’s parents, Arturo and Silvia, are proud of their son. They hope that his success in wheelchair basketball will inspire others to participate.