Hi, My name is Maddison Harmer. I am raising funds for my Best Friend Karine and her Husband Rob after the tragic loss of their 4 month old Baby Girl Frankie Skye Floukes.

Robert and Karine welcomed Frankie into the world on the 24th December 2022.

In early April Karine noticed that Frankie was very Floppy and took her to the Emergency Ward of Darwin Hospital where Frankie was turned away. The Drs said that Frankie would be put on a waiting list to see a paediatrician. Mothers instinct knew that there was no time to wait, so Karine consulted with a number of different Drs who said she would have to wait to see a paediatrician and that there was no great concern for Frankie.

Karine was told that she was over reacting and as a first time Mother needed to accept that her Daughter couldn’t see a specialist and that been put on the waiting list was all they could do.

Karine eventually found a Doctor that took her concerns seriously.

Dr Chris McLean consulted with Frankie and her Mum and Dad.

After seeing Frankie Dr McLean called and told the specialist that Frankie needed to be seen immediately.

After the specialist checked Frankie’s symptoms and done blood test, it was decided that the best place for Frankie to be diagnosed and treated was at the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital. Frankie was flown to Melbourne by Care flight and on the 19th of April she was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy 1 (SMA1),

For 18 Days Frankie fought hard. She struggled with her breathing but kept fighting.

Karine and Robs lives turned upside down they decided that relocating to Melbourne would give Frankie the best chance possible to stabilise and receive the lifesaving treatment she would need for the foreseeable future.

Due to complications from SMA1 Baby Frankie passed away on Monday the 8th of May.

Karine and Rob are beyond devastated, how could this happen to their Beautiful Baby girl that was given a clean bill of health when she left the Hospital after being born. How can their happy and healthy baby pass away from a genetic condition that if diagnosed and treated early, symptoms can be prevented and people are given a chance of living with the condition.

As a Mother of 2 children I am beyond heartbroken, There are no words I can say or no magic wand I can wave to make the reality of what has happened different. I want to help as much as I can and with the money raised I hope that it can go towards funeral expenses and also for Rob and Karine to have some respite and time to grieve before having to go back to work.

Frankie Skye