INSYNCH
lusion synchronized skating teammates, a prayer service was held at the Line Creek Ice Arena for Madeline. With members of the community invited, more than 200 people gathered to show their love and support for the young skater. Tis was just the beginning of the support that would be displayed. Madeline spent three weeks in the ICU unit at
the University of Kansas Medical Center, battling complication after complication. Te doctors were eventually able to stabilize her condition. Te next three weeks were spent at the Madon-
na Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Neb., where she went off of her feeding tube and practiced eating and walking. Tings considered automatic to most people needed to be learned once again. Madeline and her family continued to set goals, and she con- tinued to achieve them, exceeding all of her doctors’ expectations. On Sept. 4, Madeline returned to the Univer- sity of Kansas Medical Center to have the frontal bones put back in place. Te road to recovery has continued from there. Te support of the figure skating community,
and the synchronized skating community, in partic- ular, has been outstanding. “It was incredible,” Marcy said. “Te synchro community is small, and the support has been tre- mendous.” A Facebook page was created immediately fol-
lowing Madeline’s emergency. “Pray for Mads,” now with 3,068 Likes, has been the most effective way for people to keep up with her recovery. Troughout her stay in the hospital, and after-
ward, Madeline has appreciated the outpouring of love and caring the synchronized skating community has provided. From signed pillowcases, to inspiring cards and posters, the support has been incredible from coast to coast. Madeline was told she would need to wait at least two months before she could skate again. On Nov. 5, at the same rink where her accident occurred just four months prior, Madeline touched the ice. With a helmet on, she skated around the rink as if she had not been off the ice at all. “I think skating was a big part of the recovery,”
Marcy said. “She just gets out there and does it. Te support of her coaches, as well as teammates and families, has been outstanding. I call them my vil- lage.”
Allegro! from Michigan personalized a pillowcase for Madeline.
Madeline and her coach, Amy Fankhauser, have been using technology to help her with her skating. Oftentimes, Amy will video Madeline while she is skating her synchro program. Marcy said that Amy will say the steps over the video, and also write them out. All of this has helped Madeline transition back into skating with her team. “I couldn’t ask for a better team of parents or
support system,” Marcy said. “Tey have just all ral- lied around her. Tey will do whatever it takes to get her back.” Madeline continues to practice with the team
and traveled with them for their first out-of-state competition in December. She was hoping to be ready to take the ice at the
Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Cham- pionships, held the last weekend of January. Madeline began going to school part-time
On the road to recovery, Madeline carries the team’s first-place trophy from the Fall Fling competition held in November in Kansas City.
Madeline’s coach, Amy Fankhauser, helps her pupil work on her programs with the aid of a tablet.
last month. While taking at least two classes, she will be spending some of her time at the rehabilitation center, as well.
She will also, of course, be at the rink practicing and
skating. “Mentally, as well as physically, that is the best place
for her to be,” Marcy said. Most skaters would agree wholeheartedly.
SKATING 49
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