In 2014, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. During that difficult time, my doctors also discovered a spot on my lungs, which turned out to be interstitial lung disease. It was a heavy blow—two serious conditions to face at once. I was put on lifetime medication to manage the lung disease and prevent it from progressing. Thankfully, my cancer went into remission, and it’s not expected to return, which has been a huge relief.
But I wasn’t about to let these challenges define me or hold me back. By 2018, after a 25-year hiatus, I returned to a passion that had always brought me joy and strength: martial arts. It felt incredible to step back into the dojo, reconnect with my body, and push myself beyond my limits. In 2019, I achieved something I had long dreamed of—a black belt. It wasn’t just a symbol of martial prowess but a testament to my determination and refusal to give up. Now, I continue to train and teach at the Elite Self Defense School, passing on what I’ve learned to the next generation.
My granddaughter Atlyn, who is just 10 years old, shares this passion for martial arts. She’s preparing to test for her brown belt this fall. It fills my heart with pride to see her grow and develop her skills, especially since she loves helping teach karate as much as I do. Her younger brother, Beckham, is just 4, but he’s already captivated by the art. He’s often on the sidelines, mimicking the students’ movements, eager to be part of the action. Together, we spend hours at the dojo—sometimes up to three hours a day—immersed in learning, teaching, and enjoying each other’s company.
Beyond karate, I cherish the time I spend with Atlyn and Beckham. We go hiking, fishing, and embark on all sorts of adventures together. I love sharing my wisdom with them, watching their eyes light up as they learn something new. It’s a joy to pass on my knowledge and see them grow into their own.
Family is at the heart of everything I do. I love spending time with my daughter, Melanie, and my son-in-law, Mark Roberts, who are Atlyn and Beckham’s parents. We are always finding ways to connect, whether through church, carnivals, fishing trips, social events, or family gatherings. We’re a close-knit bunch, and we support each other through thick and thin.
In 2017, I started working at Beyond Blessed food pantry and the BREATHE Equine Therapy Ranch, giving back to the community in ways that felt deeply meaningful. However, in 2021, my health took a turn for the worse. My disease flared up again, and on top of that, I faced COVID, pneumonia, and norovirus, all at once. It was a tough period, and now my breathing is more challenging, slowly becoming more difficult each day. But I still hold on to my positive outlook. My faith has been a constant source of strength.
Since 2017, I’ve been part of Bridgepoint Church in Wisconsin Dells. The church has become a second family to me—wonderful people who uplift and inspire me. They’ve been there through my health struggles, offering prayers and support when I needed it most.
These days, I spend most of my time with my family, my dog Auggie by my side. When my health allows, we go on hikes in the woods and enjoy long walks. I take each day as it comes, grateful for the love that surrounds me and the joy I find in simple moments. Despite the challenges, I love life. I love people. And I love watching the world unfold, embracing every precious moment as life goes on and on.
I am a fighter, a teacher, a lover of life, and a proud grandparent. My journey hasn’t always been easy, but it has been filled with love, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of each day. When I found out I could be on the lung transplant list and receive a gift of new life at the beginning of 2024, it sounded impossible, but with the help of the UW Hospital Transplant team, I can now envision living to see my grandchildren graduate high school and many more great life events. This new hope has given me more pep in my step and incredible gratitude for organ donors all over.
How You Can Help
As I prepare for the lung transplant process, the costs associated with medical travel, treatments, and other expenses are mounting. Any donation—no matter how small—will go a long way in helping me continue this fight, receive the care I need, and hopefully live to see many more milestones with my family. Your support means the world to me and gives me hope for a healthier future. If you could share my story with 10 friends, it would be extremely helpful.
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
My family and friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live in my honor, Frederick Flickner, to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.
I chose to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors.
Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the GIVE button. And please share my page on your social media platforms. Every donation counts.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support and kindness!
