LORENA, TX — A man born and raised in Lorena is keeping his doctors in awe.
Keith Roberson was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant. He says his parents were told he wouldn't be older than 12.
"They all come up and say, 'hey man, you know you're the oldest patient we have down here.' They always wonder how do you do that," said Roberson.
Cystic fibrosis is classified as a genetic disease. In fact, two of the three Roberson children were diagnosed.
"There wasn't a lot they could do for people with CF back then. This was back in [19]63," said Roberson.
The Mayo Clinic and CDC both say the current life expectancy of a CF patient is about mid to late 30s. However, over Roberson's lifetime, he has had CF for almost three decades, from age 12 to nearly 40.
Losing his older brother to CF in 1997, Roberson explained it's through being active he enjoys each day, and attributes his longevity.
Now, at 56, Roberson hopes to help lend some advice to those who might be reeling over a new CF diagnosis.
"You're going to be mislead if you think there's not going to be downs, but that's with anybody whether you suffer an illness or not," said Roberson. "I didn't hide, I didn't hide in a bubble, I got out and just felt like I had no restrictions. We're not promised tomorrow, but if I went tomorrow, I can look back today. I got the chance to do this, plus what I've done in my life, I wouldn't trade it for the world."
