05/28/2026
For everyone who would like to know details of Gary and Wendy’s accident and progress please read below and thank you all for helping make Gary and Wendy’s benefit possible
On February 28th, Gary and Wendy’s lives changed forever after being involved in a serious ATV accident.
Gary suffered multiple injuries including head wounds, fractures to his C7, C8, and C9 vertebrae, several broken ribs, and a spleen laceration. He was transported by ambulance to Wheatland before being transferred to Casper for further monitoring and treatment. After several days in the hospital, he was finally able to return home to continue healing.
Wendy’s injuries were far more extensive and life-threatening. She was life-flighted to Casper with 21 stitches in her head, a broken collarbone, severe whiplash, spinal injuries, multiple broken ribs, and a fractured vertebra. She spent three days in the ICU unable to move because the ligaments in her neck were barely holding together from the trauma.
Wendy underwent her first major surgery where doctors placed 2 rods and 8 screws in her back to stabilize her spine. Just days later, she faced a second surgery to repair her broken collarbone with 2 plates and 12 screws. Following surgery, she returned to the ICU before eventually moving to the surgical floor, where she also had to undergo procedures to drain fluid from her lungs.
After weeks in the hospital, Wendy was transferred to Elkhorn Rehabilitation Center where she spent two more weeks relearning how to move and function while recovering from her injuries.
Unfortunately, the road to recovery has continued to be extremely difficult. After only three days back home, Wendy developed a severe infection and was rushed back to Casper. She underwent another surgery to wash out the infection and had a wound vac placed to help with healing. During this hospitalization, she again struggled with fluid around her lungs, requiring both lungs to be drained, while also battling unstable heart rates and dangerously low blood pressure. While recovering from the infection, Wendy also developed pneumonia, adding another serious complication to her healing journey.
Once home again, Wendy began daily infusions in Douglas to fight the infection. Only four days into treatment, she began struggling to breathe and was rushed back to the ER where doctors discovered blood clots in her lungs. She was hospitalized again, placed on oxygen, and started on blood thinners.
Within 24 hours of returning home, Wendy once again could not breathe and had to be rushed to the ER. She was transported by ambulance to Swedish Hospital in Denver, where specialists ran additional testing and monitored her condition for four more days. Thankfully, her blood clots had not worsened, and she was finally able to return home.
Today, Wendy remains on oxygen, continues daily infusions, and is still slowly healing from the many injuries and complications she has endured. Gary has remained by her side every step of the way while also recovering from his own injuries.
As you can imagine, this journey has brought overwhelming medical expenses, travel costs, and emotional strain for their family. We are coming together as a community to help support Gary and Wendy during this incredibly difficult time. Any donation, support, prayers, or participation in this fundraiser means more than words can express.
Thank you for helping us lift this family up while they continue their long road to recovery.
