Morgan Miller, the widow of retired Olympic skiing champion Bode Miller, is using her platform to highlight the crucial importance of water safety for children, marking eight years since the tragic drowning of her daughter, Emeline, affectionately known as Emmy. The heart-wrenching incident occurred in June 2018 when Emmy was only 19 months old, drowning in a neighbour’s pool in Orange County, California.
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On Wednesday, June 11, Morgan shared poignant reflections on her Instagram Stories, reiterating the significance of swim lessons for young children. The posts feature a mix of cherished memories and powerful reminders of the importance of vigilance around water bodies. “Eight years ago today, this angel was stolen from us! When I scream from the rooftops to get your kids water safe… this is MY WHY!” stated midwife Lindsey Meeheis, who supported Morgan throughout her grieving process.
In her Stories, a photo of Emmy pushing her dolls in a stroller captured a moment of innocent joy. However, the following image depicted the grim reality of Morgan holding her daughter in a hospital bed, surrounded by medical apparatus, as they fought against time. With a heavy heart, Meeheis wrote, “No parent should EVER have to experience this heartache,” reminding viewers of the intensity and urgency associated with drowning prevention.
Morgan recounted the harrowing experience leading up to Emmy’s death, revealing that she had performed CPR on her daughter before her passing. While her efforts temporarily revived Emmy, the damage incurred during the incident proved too severe for her daughter to survive. “Time is not on our side when it comes to water,” Morgan explained in an emotional Instagram video, stressing how quickly accidents can happen.
Since that tragic day, the Millers have dedicated themselves to advocating for water safety education, especially for young children. Morgan recalls their family’s journey in raising awareness. In June 2023, she shared a video of her daughter, Scarlet Olivia, who is now 18 months old, undergoing swim lessons in their pool. Morgan noted that Scarlet is precisely one month younger than Emmy was at the time of her drowning. “We never put Emmy in lessons,” she confessed, adding that the swim instructor had deemed her daughter too young to start lessons a month prior to the tragedy.
Through her posts, she hopes to dispel misconceptions about the age at which children can begin swim lessons, urging parents to take a proactive approach towards ensuring water safety. “Drowning is completely preventable with ALL the layers of protection,” Morgan asserted, encouraging parents to sign their children up for swim classes as pool season approaches.
Morgan’s efforts are not just limited to her daughters. Back in 2019, she shared videos of her son, Easton, participating in swim lessons, proudly documenting his progress in mastering self-rescue techniques. She highlighted the Infant Swimming Resource’s Self-Rescue (ISR) programme, emphasizing its importance in teaching children essential swimming skills.
The aftermath of Emmy’s death continues to shape Morgan and Bode’s lives. In a heartfelt Instagram post from August 2018, Morgan expressed her grief and longing for her daughter. “I wish I could have one more day to hold you,” she wrote, vowing to continue raising awareness about water safety. She shared her belief that Emmy’s legacy could still bring about significant change, saying, “Your footprint will forever be left on this world.”
The family includes a total of six children: in addition to Emmy, there are daughters Scarlet Olivia, aged 4, and twin boys Asher and Aksel, who are 6, along with sons Easton, 7, and Nash, 11. Bode also has two older children, Nate, 13, and Dace, 18, from previous relationships. Their journey illustrates not only the impact of a devastating loss but also the commitment to ensure that such tragedies do not happen to others.
Through their relentless advocacy, Morgan and Bode Miller aim to create a safer environment for children around water, urging parents to learn from their tragic experience. The Millers hope that sharing their story will inspire others to take action, fostering a culture of safety and awareness that prioritises the lives of the youngest members of society.