Tearful Neil Bush reveals his mother Barbara, 92, can’t walk anymore and he has been reading to her

Neil Bush has revealed that his mother, Barbara Bush, is unable to walk and he has been reading to her while she takes phone calls from worried family members and friends.

‘As my mom has become more and more frail – she’s not able to walk anymore and take her dogs out and that kind of thing – we have quality time and we’re sharing this quality time with other family members and friends that come by to read,’ Neil told KHOU on Monday.  

The former first lady was reported to be seriously ill on Sunday. She no longer wants to seek medical treatment.

 

Neil Bush (pictured hugging his mother in 2005) has revealed that his mother, Barbara Bush, is unable to walk and he has been reading to her while she takes phone calls from worried family members and friends

The 92-year-old wife of President George H. W. Bush is being cared for at her home in Houston, Texas

Neil says that his mother is still able to enjoy one of her favorite pass times: reading

Neil says that his mother is still able to enjoy one of her favorite pass times: reading. The 92-year-old wife of President George H. W. Bush is being cared for at her home in Houston, Texas

The 92-year-old wife of President George H. W. Bush is being cared for at her home in Houston, Texas. 

Neil says that she is still able to enjoy one of her favorite pass times: reading.

‘When I was a kid, she would read to me and my siblings,’ Neil said. 

‘I’ve had the privilege – probably the last four or five years, ever since dad has been going in and out of the hospital – of reading to them.’ 

Barbara has been in and out of the hospital recently and is now in ‘failing health’, a family spokesman said Sunday. 

‘Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting her family and doctors, Mrs Bush, now age 92, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care,’ the statement said.   

Neil told KHOU that he has been re-reading his mom’s memoir to her and has a new appreciation for the memories she shared.

Barbara has been in and out of the hospital recently and is now in 'failing health', a family spokesman said Sunday. Pictured from l-r are former president George H. W. Bush (left), former first lady Barbara Bush, Maria Bush and Neil Bush in 2010

Barbara has been in and out of the hospital recently and is now in ‘failing health’, a family spokesman said Sunday. Pictured from l-r are former president George H. W. Bush (left), former first lady Barbara Bush, Maria Bush and Neil Bush in 2010

‘And to read the story of their amazing life together has been a remarkable blessing to me personally as their son,’ Bush said through tears.

Neil said it’s a ‘reminder of just what a fabulous woman she is and what a great life they’ve lived and what a great life we’ve experienced and how much they’ve done for so many others, including her favorite topic, which is literacy’.  

The former first lady has been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, a source close to the family told CNN.

She has been treated for decades for Graves’ disease, which is a thyroid condition.

The Bushes have been married since 1945. They have been married longer than any presidential couple in American history.

‘It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself – thanks to her abiding faith – but for others,’ the statement read.

‘She is surrounded by a family she adores, and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving.’

Her husband, the 41st US president, is 93 years old. 

George H.W. is also struggling with an illness, vascular Parkinsonism, that has left him wheelchair bound and struggling to speak. 

The 92-year-old wife of President George H. W. Bush is now being care for at her Houston, Texas home. They couple are pictured above in May last year

The 92-year-old wife of President George H. W. Bush is now being care for at her Houston, Texas home. They couple are pictured above in May last year

Barbara, above in 1988 with her husband, has been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure

Barbara, above in 1988 with her husband, has been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure

Bush (above in 2013) has been in and out of the hospital recently and is now in 'failing health', according to a family spokesman

Bush (above in 2013) has been in and out of the hospital recently and is now in ‘failing health’, according to a family spokesman

He was hospitalized multiple times last year with bronchitis and pneumonia.

BARBARA BUSH’S HEALTH CONDITIONS: 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Also called COPD, this condition is a group lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.

Damage to the lungs from COPD can’t be reversed and symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, or a chronic cough.

Congestive heart failure

Heart failure can occur when blood isn’t being pumped around the heart as well as it should.

While treatment can help, the chronic condition can’t be cured. 

Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and rapid heartbeat. 

The Bushes were both hospitalized in January 2017 and were unable to make President Donald Trump’s inauguration.  

Barbara is the mother of former President George W. Bush and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. 

The couple also have four other children, 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Bush is one of only two first ladies who was also the mother of a president. 

Eight years after she and her husband left the White House, Bush stood with her husband as their son George W. was sworn in as president.

During her life in the public eye, Barbara was always a fierce advocate of her husband and sons in the political arena.  

Barbara was the second lady of the US when her husband was Vice President from 1981 to 1989. 

As first lady – between 1989 to 1993 – Barbara made her main focus literacy and became involved in a number of reading organizations. 

Barbara and George H.W. Bush married in January 1945 at the First Prsbyterian Church in Rye, New York

Barbara and George H.W. Bush married in January 1945 at the First Prsbyterian Church in Rye, New York

Bush has been in and out of hospital several times in the past year. The former first couple are pictured above during the Super Bowl in Houston last year

Bush has been in and out of hospital several times in the past year. The former first couple are pictured above during the Super Bowl in Houston last year

She eventually founded the non-profit Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which is based in Florida, to help increase literacy levels nationwide.  

Well-wishers have been flowing in for Bush ever since news of her health deteriorating became known.

Nikki Haley, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted: ‘Prayers going up for a woman of great faith, great strength, and an unwavering love of country. Our country is better because of former First Lady Barbara Bush.’

Meghan McCain, the daughter of Senator John McCain, tweeted: ‘I am sending all my love and prayers to the entire Bush family today – Barbara Bush is a woman of great strength, patriotism and an iconic first lady of our times who has touched and inspired countless lives.’ 

 



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