After years of testing and unanswered questions, Trevin, now 15, was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder.
“Basically it means that his connective tissue is like butter. It doesn’t stay firm,” said his mother, Darla. “It affects his heart valves, intestines and blood vessels.”
He spent years in a wheelchair and still fights for the strength to walk and participate in activities other 15-year-olds don’t even think about.
For Trevin, a bright spot in his life is his beloved Flyers. He was drafted onto the men’s basketball team last year through Team IMPACT, an organization that connects sports teams with children facing serious illnesses.
Over the last two years, he has attended nearly every practice and every home game with the team. He was with them on their Cinderella run last season, following the team to New York and Memphis as they won tournament game after game.
“He’s really close to the team. He goes into the locker room and hangs out with them,” Darla said. “They text him if he doesn’t make it to practice. That sparkle in his eye that he gets when he’s with the team, that’s the only time you ever see that.”
Trevin wasn’t able to travel to the team’s away games this year. When he found out that they would be playing a First Four game at home, he was elated.
“I was surprised. We weren’t projected to be in the First Four this year,” he said. “I thought they wouldn’t have a team play at their home court, either.”
Trevin said he expects a pumped atmosphere at Wednesday’s game.
“It’s going to be rockin’. It’ll be like a UD and Xavier game,” he said.
When asked if he expected a Flyer win, he didn’t hesitate.
“Of course,” he said.
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