By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES DEANERY — There was double the excitement and sense of accomplishment at Xavier University’s recent commencement ceremony when twin brothers Kyle and Keith Connolly were awarded their degrees.

As infants, both brothers were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease that mainly affects the exocrine (mucous) glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines. Early on, with the support of their parents, the boys decided not to let the disease limit them and became active in sports to keep their lungs clear. Growing up, they participated in soccer, football, baseball, wrestling and cross-country and graduated from Elder High School in 2004.

COURTESY PHOTO

Twin brothers Keith and Kyle Connolly were all smiles after they graduated from Xavier University last month.

"When they were born, the life expectancy for CF patients was only 18, so the news was devastating," said their mother, Linda Hood. "Now it’s 37. We just decided early on that we planned on beating this, so the emphasis with the boys was on staying healthy and understanding their disease. We knew they’d have a better chance of staying well and living a long, healthy life if we made the effort to keep them active and that, ultimately, self-reliance was key to their survival."

Also important to the family was raising awareness and funding in the hope of one day finding a cure, so they have taken part in the annual CF Foundation’s Great Strides Walk since Kyle and Keith were babies.

While keeping active did contribute to the boys’ overall health as they were growing up, there were still vest machine treatments several times daily to clear the mucous from their lungs, specialists to see, and the ever present concern that they might develop a secondary disease. "CF is very much a family disease," Hood said. "It’s something that’s so much work for the patient, so having a strong support system is very important for them."

The twins continued their active lifestyle as students at Xavier becoming varsity cheerleaders for the basketball team for the duration. "We were looking for something to do, a way to get involved," Keith said. "It was fun, especially going to the tournaments. Plus, you couldn’t beat the free floor seats to every home game."

They noted the importance of taking responsibility for managing their health care along with their busy college schedules. "We learned how to multi-task," said Keith. "The vests don’t hamper our hands, so we would do homework during our treatments."

As the time for graduation drew near, it was an opportunity for the brothers to reflect on the lessons they’ve learned through coping with CS. Keith recalled falling ill with inflammatory disease shortly after starting college and spending two years on medication. "Things are back to normal now, but that experience taught me the importance of never giving up no matter how tough things get," he said.

"I’ve learned to not to let life get you down," added Kyle. "Always smile, work hard and stay humble. Remember that you’re never alone. There is always someone else out there who is going through or went through the same thing you are."

Graduation day on May 17 was bittersweet for the twins and a proud occasion for their family. "It was a very special day and I was very proud," Hood said. "They’re both very hardworking young men and dedicated to whatever they pursue. I’m most proud of their positive attitudes. They believe they’ll be well enough for the cure, and that keeps them healthy."

The brothers are looking forward to the future and plan to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Kyle, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, plans to attend graduate school at the University of Cincinnati in the fall. Keith earned a degree in accounting and finance and hopes to work towards an MBA at Xavier.