Skylar Peterson is making steady progress towards his goal to dance with his fiancee Sydnie Stambaugh at their August wedding. 

The couple were in a UTV crash in early May following their engagement photos. Sydnie was thrown from the vehicle but Skylar rolled downhill with the UTV and sustained multiple injuries. Since the crash Skylar has been able to return home and has moved from a wheelchair to crutches. He still has some healing to do but he thinks he will meet his goal of dancing with his bride come August.

“Even if my arms don’t work and she’s gotta hold me I’ll be able to dance,” Peterson joked.

Sydnie was quick to add that his dancing ability was limited before the accident, so she’ll take what she can get. The couple play well off each other and their love for one another is hard to miss.

The two are always together, Sydnie’s father Scot said in a May interview, and come hunting season even though he won't be able to hunt, Skylar will be there with Sydnie as she works to get her second antelope and Skylar’s cousin his first. 

Physical therapy has been going well and Skylar has nearly regained full movement in his foot, he said, and his arms are slowly healing. His right arm has good movement and Skylar said “we’re getting something out of the left arm — we got another month to get her going,” and he’ll be able to walk by the wedding.

They aren’t alone in the “Road to Recovery,” which was the name of their recent benefit auction where their friends, family and community members who have supported them along the way, again displayed their support, raising just over $40,000 on June 22 at Jake’s Barn in Ralston. 

Following the accident many people reached out asking how they could help Skylar and Sydnie, Heather Stambaugh, Sydnie’s stepmother remembered. Eventually Kasie Brenner and Scott Sessions, who are good friends of the couple, asked Heather if they could organize a benefit. In turn Heather volunteered her mother-in-law Janet Stambaugh who had previous experience with events thanks to her involvement with the Wyoming Outdoorsmen. Other members of the community to step up included Brandon Minske and Kyle Lightman.

It was easy to find people willing to help either through sponsorships, donations or volunteering, Heather said, and there was ample support from both the Powell and Cody community which they are really thankful for.

“It’s just a team effort and we’re all in it for Sydnie and Skylar,” Janet said during the event. 

Janet’s husband Grant, who was manning the rifle raffle, said a lot of family were pitching in during the event.

Among them were Sue Larsen who dished out desserts, Skylar’s family who helped set up the venue and Scot who donated the beef and manned the grill.

The event had many contributors including Musser Brothers Auctioneers who donated their time, as well as other volunteers, donors and sponsors.

“It's just kind of overwhelming to think about the number of individual volunteers involved in the night, and also all of the individual donations, just from very small to large things,” Heather said. “I think it just really was so impressive to see the amount of items and experiences and services that were offered as auction items, and it's just hard to thank everyone individually …  just a huge thank you out to everyone for sure.”

Skylar did not expect the barn to be as packed as it was with all the other events going on in the area, and was happy to see so many people.

“We were pretty packed, which was good,” he said. “I guess … when more people started really showing up that made me real happy then.”

Skylar added that he is really grateful for the event and the donations from people within the Cody and Powell community where everybody knows one another. 

“We just want to thank everybody, [and say] how grateful we are for the thoughts and prayers and everything. We’ve definitely been putting them to good use and we’ve been seeing good results,” Sydnie said.

Donations can be made to Skylar directly through Big Horn Federal or at gofund.me/5f293592.