First lady's lasting legacy
Jennifer Schroeder, 12, daughter of Hayden Lake couple Jim and Melissa Schroeder, is seen here with her beloved canine companion Lucy in 1990 in Germantown, Md. Before this photo was taken, Jen was in a coma in a Washington, D.C., hospital where first lady Barbara Bush, who died Tuesday, stopped in unannounced to read to kids in the children’s unit. Jen fully recovered from the allergic reaction that hospitalized her, but was tragically killed at a young age. “Throughout Jen’s medical ordeal, we promised her anything she wanted if she would just wake up and be our spunky Jen,&#…
Courtesy photo This signed copy of “Millie’s Book” by first lady Barbara Bush has a special significance for Melissa and Jim Schroeder of Hayden Lake. Bush signed the copy when she dropped by the children’s wing of the hospital where the Shroeders’ daughter, Jennifer, was in a coma in 1990. Bush, 92, died Tuesday.
The late Barbara Bush was a huge advocate for literacy when she was America’s first lady. She signed this copy of her book, “Millie’s Book,” and gave it to Jim and Melissa Schroeder, now of Hayden Lake, when she read to children in a Washington, D.C. hospital in 1990. The Schroeders’ daughter, Jennifer, was in a coma when Bush visited, but when she awoke about two months later she was able to tell the neurologists that George Bush was president, his wife’s name was Barbara and they had a dog named Millie. (Courtesy photo)
Melissa and Jim Schroeder, of Hayden Lake, shared a special story with The Press on Wednesday about when First Lady Barbara Bush visited their daughter’s hospital room and read to her when she was in a coma in 1990. Bush’s compassion made a lasting impact on their family, and lives on in the memory of their daughter Jennifer, who was killed in a car wreck in 2000. (Courtesy photo)
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
Barbara Bush had a way of touching people, even when they weren't aware of her presence.
One little girl in a coma, Jennifer, had no idea then-first lady Bush came to her hospital room to read to her and two other children while they were in their hospital beds in 1990.
"We have this wonderful memory of Barbara," said Jennifer's mom, Melissa Schroeder of Hayden Lake. "It was a pretty special event."
Jennifer was 12 when she suffered a severe allergic reaction to milk that sent her into anaphylactic shock. She was comatose for about two months, and her parents kept constant vigil.
One day, Secret Service agents came through the Washington, D.C., hospital, near where the Schroeders lived at the time.
Then, with no advance notice, Barbara Bush walked through the door to read "Millie's Book" to the children in the critical care unit. "Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush" is about a day in the life of the Bush family as seen through the eyes of the White House springer spaniel, Millie.
"We stayed next to Jennifer. We held her hand and Barbara was kind of in the middle of the room," Melissa said. "She was very comfortable in her skin and comfortable giving what she had. It was not fanfare by any means. It was a grandma coming to read to somebody who needed attention.
"Barbara was really a remarkable lady."
"It was not like, 'Oh get ready, here she comes," Jim said. "She just appeared, so obviously we were pretty big fans after that … We were fortunate enough to experience it in person."
Mrs. Bush read the book aloud and showed the pictures in the book to the children. Jim and Melissa said she didn't linger long, but the impact of her visit would be known when Jennifer awoke from her coma.
"We didn't think she heard a word," Melissa said.
However, when the neurologists later asked Jennifer questions about who the president was, "she looked right at them and said, 'George Bush and his wife is Barbara and their dog is Millie,'" Melissa said.
"It was one for the textbooks that it's important to read to kids and people in a coma."
Mrs. Bush focused heavily on literacy during her tenure as first lady. She helped form the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in 1989.
"Barbara really devoted her life to literacy and helping others," Melissa said. "We all should try to give back and live our lives and touch each other with whatever gifts we have."
Mrs. Bush signed a copy of her book and gave it to the Schroeder family. It was securely tucked among the bookshelves until they heard the news of Mrs. Bush's death Tuesday at the age of 92.
"She was a very down-to-Earth lady who really cared. She saw lots of kids, not just ours. It was obvious she did it because it was important to her," Jim said. "A lot of times people do these things because it looks good, but there was no publicity about it. She just came in and did it."
Melissa said the fact that the book was about a dog might have been a big reason why it got through to Jen, even though she was unconscious.
"She was such an animal lover. That's why the book triggered so many emotions with her," Melissa said. "Throughout Jen’s medical ordeal, we promised her anything she wanted if she would just wake up and be our spunky Jen. Well, while in her coma she remembered our promise and [later] asked for a puppy. We got Jen a yellow Lab, and she named her Lucy after her ICU nurse."
Tragically, both Jen and Lucy were killed on March 21, 2000, after a day of playing fetch on the Oregon coast. Jen was driving and another car swerved into them.
"Jen was a great 'big' sister to (siblings) Heather and Jason, who are a testament to the importance of family and the gift of life," Melissa said. "She taught us a lot, that little girl."
Melissa said they re-read "Millie's Book" when they pulled it off the shelf Tuesday.
"We re-read it and reflected on the past, but it's the past," she said.
The family cherishes the memories they have of Bush lifting their spirits when their daughter was hospitalized, and Jen's memory will always live on through these treasured memories.
"Barbara Bush touched the lives of many through her love of reading and her Foundation for Family Literacy," Melissa said. "She is a great first lady that led from her heart and will be missed."