Christina Schauer

Wife, mom, nurse, veteran

[Brian Krassenstein @krassenstein]

BREAKING: A letter from Alex Pretti’s Final Nursing Student:

“I was Alex Pretti’s final nursing student. He was my friend and my nursing mentor. For the past four months, I stood shoulder to shoulder with him during my capstone preceptorship at the Minneapolis VA Hospital. There he trained me to care for the sickest of the sick as an ICU nurse. He taught me how to care for arterial and central lines, the intricacies of managing multiple IVs filled with lifesaving solutions, and how to watch over every heartbeat, every breath, and every flicker of life, ready to act the moment they wavered. Techniques intended to heal.

Alex carried patience, compassion and calm as a steady light within him. Even at the very end, that light was there. I recognized his familiar stillness and signature calm composure shining through during those unbearable final moments captured on camera.

It does not surprise me that his final words were, “Are you okay?” Caring for people was at the core of who he was. He was incapable of causing harm. He lived a life of healing, and he lived it well.

Alex believed strongly in the Second Amendment and in the rights rooted in our Constitution and its amendments. He spoke out for justice and peace whenever he could, not only out of obligation, but out of a belief that we are more connected than divided, and that communication would bring us together.

I want his family to know his legacy lives on. I am a better nurse because of the wisdom and skills he instilled in me. I carry his light with me into every room, letting it guide and steady my hands as I heal and care for those in need.

Please honor my friend by standing up for peace, preferably with a cup of black coffee in hand and a couple of pieces of candy in your pocket, just as he would. He would remind you that caring for others is hard work, and we must do whatever it takes to get through the long shifts. Step outside with your dog, breathe in the world, hike or bike as he loved to do, and let yourself find peace in the quiet moments within nature. Stand up for justice and speak with those whose views differ from your own. Hold your beliefs with strength, but always extend love outward, even in the face of adversity.

Take one step, no matter how small, to help heal our world. Through these acts, carry his light forward in his name. Let his legacy continue to heal.”

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

Thank you, @iava, for all the inspiration, education, and connection that made this opportunity possible!

Thank you @RepNikkiB and @RepTomBarrett for your support and your advocacy for rural veterans.

[IAVA @iava]

Tomorrow #IAVA Leadership Fellow Christina Schauer will be testifying at this hearing on rural veterans. Very important conversation to be had.

Go @cschauer go! #VetsRising

[IAVA @iava]

Proud of #IAVACavalry for sharing their stories on stage later today 🙌

#VetsRising in action standing up and leading.

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

@jaslow @RodgerPinto @iava I’m so thankful for the opportunities I had in the Cavalry ❤️

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

I had no idea how many doors my participation in the @iava cavalry would open! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us today, Kristen! Love having a chance to give women veterans in IA, IL, and WI a chance to learn from you as well!

#iavaleads

[Rep. Nikki Budzinski @RepNikkiB]

Attention Central and Southern Illinois veterans! The @ILSecOfState is hosting a Veterans Day Resource Fair TOMORROW in Springfield. I encourage folks to stop by to learn about resources available to them, including business services and help from the DMV!

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

GOAT!!!

[MICHAEL HOFFMAN @hoffman4america]

Holla at ya boi

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

I was so excited to receive an invite to participate in @RepNikkiB’s Women Veteran Advisory Council after being introduced to her and her incredible team through @iava! Meeting @RepBrownley, an original champion for the Deborah Sampson Act, was also an honor!

[Rep. Nikki Budzinski @RepNikkiB]

This week, I launched my Women Veterans Advisory Council to help inform my work on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee with @RepBrownley and ensure women veterans have a seat at the table to share their unique experiences. I'm excited for many more productive conversations to come!

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

Love getting a chance to see my pals at @iava!

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

So proud to see my buddy on here!!

[IAVA @iava]

Learn more about the newest #IAVACavalry inductees: https://t.co/zmdtkIlxja

They are the epitome of #VetsRising

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

Excited to listen to @TerriTanielian again after meeting her during the spring @iava Cavalry event in DC.

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

Getting ready to present on the women veteran suicide prevention!

@iava
@MercyOne_Iowa
@TrinityHealthMI
#increasethereach
#iavaleads

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

@TrueBoots Thanks for making this possible!!

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

Had a great visit with @RepNikkiB yesterday to talk about rural veteran health care, military transition, barriers to MST reporting, and much more. Thanks to @iava for creating this connection during this years’ #cavalry fly in!

[Rep. Nikki Budzinski @RepNikkiB]

Excited to connect with our local heroes today at our Veterans Resource Fair at @parklandcollege!

Thank you to everyone who came out to learn more about our local VA resources, sign up for PACT Act benefits and talk about how we can support our veterans.

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

Excellent choice, @iava! Thank you for your advocacy, @jaketapper!

[Jake Tapper 🦅 @jaketapper]

Telling the stories of and advocating for veterans is literally the least any of us civilians in the news media can do. It was such an honor to thank in person @jaslow and the team at @IAVA for their tireless work.

[Christina Schauer @cschauer]

Loved getting to meet the newest members of the #iavacavalry!

[IAVA @iava]

Week two of #IAVACavalry virtual training included more group practice on advocacy storytelling, a social media lesson, and a chat with #IAVA Leadership Fellow @cschauer about her experiences in DC and at home in Iowa. #VetsRising

Up next: virtual meetings next week 🙌😎

[Paul Rieckhoff🇺🇸🇺🇦 @PaulRieckhoff]

I’m looking forward to being in DC tomorrow to salute @SpeakerPelosi, @JohnBoozman and @jaketapper—& to supporting @jaslow, @TrueBoots and the entire @IAVA team & mission. Three leaders with different parties & backgrounds, one shared focus on vets. A big week for Jake continues!

[IAVA @iava]

War changes you. Some of us return from war with a newfound appreciation for what we have in America, but we struggle with what we see before us today. That’s why the post-9/11 generation of veterans are hoping for more from our elected leaders.

Photo by: Jocelyn Augustino

[IAVA @iava]

One week ago in the halls of Congress👇

#IAVACavalry grew into passionate, strong, advocate leaders in the course of our time together in Washington, but they also made new friends for life 🥹

Photos by: Jocelyn Augustino