Overton resident, Vicki Wendt is standing on a new pair of legs…literally. Last month, Wendt was fitted with a new pair of prosthetic legs. In May, Wendt underwent an amputation to both of her legs just below the knees due to serious frostbite injuries. She sustained the injuries in February when she and her husband, Randy, were stranded alone in a blizzard for three days during a snowmobiling trip in the mountains of Southern Utah.

Vicki received her new legs on July 15. Before that time, she was frequently seen in downtown Overton operating an electric-powered wheelchair up and down the streets. Now she is happy to be driving her car to work at the Overton Senior Center and walking around town again.

Vicki jokes that her prosthetic legs have given her a new perspective on life. “Before the injuries my height was 5′4″,” she said. “With the new legs I am now 5′7″. I can see more but I’m afraid that I’ll start getting nosebleeds from the altitude.”

Vicki’s health insurance only paid for part of the cost of the prosthesis. That has left her and Randy with a big medical tab to make up. Members of the Moapa Valley community who have heard of Vicki’s ordeal have been sympathetic and have come forward wanting to help.

A series of fundraising events have been planned in the community in the coming weeks. The first of these events will take place this Saturday afternoon, August 8, at the Red Rooster bar in Overton beginning at 3:00 p.m. An auction will be held to sell a handmade quilt (made by Vicki’s mother-in-law) and a 6-foot jetted bathtub donated by a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. A barbecue & potluck dinner will begin at 5:00 p.m. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring a covered dish to the pot luck dinner.

At 9:00 p.m. live band “Southern Choice” will make an appearance at the Red Rooster.

Throughout the afternoon donations will be accepted at the door to raise money for Vicki’s legs.

Other fundraising events are being planned in the upcoming weeks. Vicki has become an inspiration to many of the volunteers who are coordinating these fundraising efforts. “With all that she has been through she has kept a remarkable positive and upbeat attitude,” said American Legion Women’s Auxiliary member Becky Thouren who has been involved in planning the fundraising events. “She has been a real inspiration to anyone that knows her and she brings a tear to my eye just thinking about her.”