By Michael Farnworth

For the Journal

POCATELLO— After suffering massive injuries in a March 22 car crash, Wendy Allen remains in Utah University Medical Center, while she works to recover at least some semblance of normalcy.

There will be two fundraisers held in Pocatello in the coming season to help raise money for a leg prosthesis, after her right leg had to be amputated following a March 22 car accident.

Allen, 38, was on her way to work on the morning of March 22. Thanks to wonderful Idaho weather, a spring snowstorm had hit, and Allen had been unable to start her SUV. She opted to take her 2003 Ford Mustang instead, and as she made a corner at the intersection of Pocatello Ave. and Young St. she lost control of the car and slammed into a utility pole.

The severity of the impact left Allen in a fight for her life. Medical response teams had to cut Allen from the vehicle, and as they did so, Ryan Egelund of Pocatello held her hand the entire time as she did not lose consciousness once during the ordeal.

"There was another man present, but no one knows who it was. He gave comfort to both Egelund, and Allen. She kept telling him to be careful with her legs," Sandy Francis, Allen's Mother said. "Wendy has been a dancer her whole life. She was three when she danced at the Olympics."

Allen is a well known ballet dancer in the community, and has danced in New York, Los Angeles, Arizona, and she toured the country with Dracula 2000.

In the crash, Allen sustained several severe injuries. She suffered a brain injury, broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a shattered left arm and leg, and her right foot had been torn from her body.

Allen had a titanium rod placed in her upper left leg after a previous skiing accident, and during the impact on March 22, the titanium rod was bent, and had to be replaced.

Since the accident, Allen's left arm, and left leg have been completely re-built. Her left leg now has titanium rods running from her left hip, to her left knee, from her left knee to her ankle, and her foot now has titanium rods and plates from ankle to toes. Doctor's are hopeful that she will eventually be able to walk on the leg however, this remains to be seen.

In the seven days after the car accident, Allen had 6 surgeries in 7 days, and died twice while doctors were working on her.

Allen is a single mother to her 14-year-old daughter Chynna, who attends Century High School in Pocatello.

"She was very sad and in shock when the accident happened," Francis said, "She has not once lost faith in her mother, or her ability to survive and turn the ordeal into a positive thing."

"My mother is a survivor, and we will survive together," Chynna Allen said.

"She is just such an inspiration. I was so pleasantly surprised and amazed," Francis said. "I have not once heard her ask (Why me), and she has done nothing but thank God for giving her a second chance. She is determined to show everyone that the show must go on."

Wendy Allen taught dance at Studio 7 in Pocatello for a time, and she uses that to give her the drive to survive, and recover.

"Wendy feels that she needs to prove to these kids that they can be strong in the face of adversity," Francis said, "She feels that it is her responsibility to show the kids that there is more to life than you know, and that everything has a silver lining. You just have to find it. She is always saying that," Francis continued.

The first fundraiser will be held at Duffy's Tavern, 1304 N. Main St. on June 18. There will be a BBQ, live band, raffle with many items donated from local businesses and individuals, and a silent auction. While the second fundraiser is being planned for later in the summer. The date and time has not been determined at this time.

Proceeds from the fundraisers will go to help pay for a prosthetic leg for Allen.

"It is really hard," Francis said, "A prosthetic leg can run upwards of $50000, and it is just so hard to come up with that kind of money."

Amber Davis, and Tyler Allen, Wendy Allen's younger sister, both of Pocatello are organizing the fundraisers, and would like the community to know that free rides from Duffy's at the end of the night will be donated by Pocatello Transportation Company.

There has been an account set up at Wells Fargo under the name "Wendy Allen Benefit" for anyone that would like to donate, or you can send cash or checks to 1271 West Quinn, Pocatello, ID 83201