CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Tim Roberts is a single dad whose son was born with a rare medical condition that required multiple surgeries on his skull.
Roberts’ said that while his health has declined in recent years, he was unprepared for what his doctor told him.
"He said, 'Tim, I'm sorry but there's nothing else we can do for you. We can put you on pain medication and keep you comfortable.”
Hospice care documents shared by Roberts show his medical situation as terminal.
Tim Roberts says he takes 30 to 50 pills a day.
WTVR CBS 6 first profiled Roberts in 2012 because of his son, Chris, has a rare disease that impacts his skull.
“He's had 30 skull, brain cranial surgeries,” Roberts said. “He will be 19 on Thursday. When he was growing up so sick he was on life support equipment for 3 and a half years."
Tim Roberts
Roberts said he was homeless for months after a lengthy hospital stay, but that he now lives with someone who took him and his son in.
He said he suffers from Addison's disease, heart and other health problems that require him to take 30 to 50 pills a day.
“It shuts your glands down,” Roberts explained. “They previously did tests on me. My heart was working at 19-percent, [but my] left heart valve collapsed...”
Tim and Chris Roberts.
Now Roberts, who has spent years advocating for families with sick children and providing toys to underprivileged kids, is the one who needs help.
His only mission is finding a way to pay for his own funeral – and find a way to break the news to his son.
“I'm gonna let him know his dad has six months to live,” he said. “I don't know how he's going to take it.”
Roberts is holding onto his faith and trying to come to terms with what lies ahead.
Tim Roberts' Bible.
“It's been really hard to accept the fact I’m dying,” he said. “I haven't accepted it yet. “
Anyone who would like to make a donation to fund Roberts’ funeral expenses can do so at any Wells Fargo Bank location where special account 1300294012 has been set up.
