By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
In the midst of grieving last week – and trying to arrange her daughter’s funeral – Sally Schaeffer got an unexpected phone call.
The person on the other end of the phone? Gov. Scott Walker.
“He called me directly on my cell phone,” Schaeffer said. “I was surprised. I was very surprised.
“You’re driving down the road, and to have the governor call you directly, I don’t even know the words to say,” she added. “It was quite an honor to have that call.”
Walker officially issued the press release Wednesday morning, proclaiming the law that legalized cannabidiol oil (CBD oil) in the state of Wisconsin as an alternative treatment for seizures would be named in honor of her daughter, Lydia, who died last week.
Sally Schaeffer was also asked to pick a day to celebrate as “Lydia Schaeffer Day,” and chose her daughter’s birthday – April 19.
Lydia Schaeffer died on Mother’s Day, May 11, at the age of 7. She had been suffering from seizures – as many as 80 each night – while sleeping, and her mother and family were two of many fighting to legalize the CBD oil.
CBD oil is derived from the marijuana plant, but a special strain of the plant – called Charlotte’s Web – is being grown in Colorado. The Schaeffer family was one of many in the state working to get the treatment legalized for their children.
Given little chance of passage, the bill made it through the state Assembly and Senate and was signed into law April 16.
Still working through the many emotions, Sally Schaeffer said Tuesday night that the proclamations from Gov. Walker have helped establish Lydia’s legacy.
“Thinking about it, I just tear up,” Sally said. “The legacy my daughter is leaving is amazing for me. But it’s hard, because she’s no longer here.
“It doesn’t take away the fact that she’s gone.”
Schaeffer stressed that her family wasn’t the only one working to get CBD oil legalized.
“This was an effort on behalf of all of us,” said Schaeffer, adding that she emailed the other parents regarding Walker’s choice.
“I was happy to get the support of the other parents who did their part,” she explained.
-
-
-
-
-