Maddison Searle

On June 8, 2017, at 4:44EST, Maddison Marie Searle left her body and bright pink wheelchair behind, as she finally transferred over to a better, freer, happier place for her, where she can now move her fingers again, give kisses and hugs, run and skip and dance, whisper and yell and sing and laugh out loud, and express herself and her feelings and thoughts however she wishes. She can now do whatever she wants.

In her relatively short lifetime with us, Maddison was the epitome of bravery and tolerance and genuine love. She taught so many of us so many things without ever saying a word or lifting a finger. Never once could she ever complain or act up and misbehave. She could light up any-sized room with the warmest and brightest of lights with a certain glance of her precious eyes and her extraordinary and optimistic smile. She charmed us. Her often silly and sassy looks and head-shakes were guaranteed to make us smile our truest smiles right back at her. She touched so many lives: from those closest to her to those who had just met her. Maddison was very well traveled; she enjoyed creating and viewing artwork; she was an avid music and movie fan; and she was a staple at the WestTown Mall. For being so medically fragile, Maddison lived a very exciting and adventurous life: horseback riding, roller coasters, zip lining, rock wall climbing, swimming, sledding, four-wheeling, and many rock and roll concerts. Maddison loved the beach and gave her mother the best of smiles when she teased that they would be moving to The Caribbean soon. Maddison's hair was perfect, as were her fingernails and wardrobe; she received constant compliments. She was an excellent "Big Sissy" and enjoyed giving "Little Sissy" rides on her lap in her wheelchair; she paid close attention to Dorothy Su, expected bedtime kisses, and loved her dearly.

Maddison was born in St. George, Utah on December 10, 2001 and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee on February 3, 2002. On April 19, 2003, all of our lives were forever changed after an auto accident left Maddison as a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. She stayed strong and happy and relatively healthy in this condition for over 14 of the best years any of us could have hoped for. She will be forever missed and yet will undoubtedly remain forever with us. Not a day will go by when she will not be in our hearts and minds. Bless her beautiful soul.

Maddison is survived and dearly missed by her mother Kelly Wrase Searle, father Scott Edward Searle, and sister Dorothy Su Searle, all of Knoxville, TN. She is further survived by her maternal grandparents Bob Wrase and Bob and Mary Grady, all of Stoughton, WI; paternal grandparents Ken and Mary Chaignot of Gladstone, MI and Scott and Sally Searle of Gwinn, MI; aunt and Godmother Jenni Wrase of Verona, WI, and aunts Carrie (Jeff) Richter of Fountain Hills, AZ and Amy (John) Breitzman of Gladstone, MI; and uncle and Godfather Adam (Beth) Chaignot of Ypsilani, MI; and 15 cousins.

Celebration of Life (1) will be on Sunday August 13 from 2pm-6pm with memory sharing service at 3pm at Bearden High School auditorium, 8352 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.

A Celebration of Life (2) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is still pending for a later date.

All are welcomed to attend and join in the celebrations. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in her memory to the LoveYourBrain Foundation ( www.loveyourbrain.com ) and/or The Ronald McDonald House ( www.rmch.org/donate ) and/or The Miami Project ( www.themiamiproject.org/donate/donation/ ).

Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406