Raquel Ryckman-Frank's Battle with COVID

UPDATE: 

Our mother has made a miraculous recovery and was released from the hospital early this April. At this moment, she is continuing to be the strong, resilient person my sister and I have always known to be our mother. She is undergoing intense physical therapy, and while she had to re-learn how to walk and build strength, she is pushing every day to improve. In our conversations, she has expressed incredible thanks for the help we have received, especially from the Kettle Moraine School District. From our family to yours, we are supremely grateful for the kindness and generosity expressed, and it has been absolutely amazing to see my mother recover from such hardship. She mentions her work at the Wisconsin Youth Company frequently, and is looking forward to building the strength to be able to return to work and share her own creativity and inspiration with the children and coworkers in the program.

Wishing everyone the best,
Alison & Macy Frank


To my Mom's friends, coworkers and family:

This is not the post I thought I would be making at this point in my life (I'm 21 years old).  On March 18, my mother, Raquel Ryckman-Frank, left for the hospital, not knowing she may never get a chance to see her daughters again.  She has been hospitalized due to COVID-19 and severe pneumonia.  On March 20 she was put into an induced and paralyzed coma, and on a ventilator.  She will likely remain hospitalized for weeks as she fights for her life.  No visitors are allowed at this time, making it incredibly difficult for those of us who are close to her.  I do call her daily as the nurse puts the phone by her ear.  They say she may be able to hear me while in a coma. 

My mother is a radiant being, who has always pushed us to follow our dreams and push the boundaries of creativity.  Many of you may know my mother for her work as the Before & After School Director at Magee Elementary, a job which she assured us was a dream come true. Every day she would go into work, bringing her artistic talent and whimsical playfulness to enrich the lives of the children around her. Our apartment was always full of artworks and gifts given to her at work, testaments to how much she was adored. 

We are so very grateful for all of you that have already reached out and donated.  The donations will help cover costs for me and my sister while our mom is away, and also help cover her financial bills and expenses, which our father and stepmother are helping out with and overseeing. 

 

We appreciate all the help and prayers sent our way during this time.

Alison Frank
Macy Frank

Also our father and stepmother: Eric and Terri Frank