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SANDY — Joseph Olson teaches American history at Mount Jordan Middle School.
"We've talked about how some people aren't that happy about him (Donald Trump) winning; some people are super-excited," he said.
While his students are studying presidential politics, they also learn a lot about life.
“I was born with something call AMC, so that’s when some muscle groups never developed,” Olson said. “I always tell my students it's not my limitations; it is not your disabilities, because everyone has challenges in their life that define you. But it's what you do with those limitations and challenges that make you who you are."
Olson is facing a new challenge. His electric wheelchair worth $25,000 was taken early Monday morning from his carport in Taylorsville, where it was being charged.
“It is custom fit just for me and that was the one that was stolen. It is really a brand-new chair,” he said. "I am able to walk a little bit, but the wheelchair really becomes my legs.”
Olson had to dust off his old wheelchair, which is 12 years old and not in very good condition.
Olson is getting a lot of community support through a crowdfunding campaign to buy him a new chair. But Olson said he'd prefer just to get the stolen chair back.
“I really don't think people understand what it means to have something like that taken away from someone with a disability,” he said.
Olson said the person who took it could return it no questions asked.
“I want my chair back, that's it,” he said. “I want to go back to life, taking care of my family. Without the chair it feels like I can't be who I am. It takes away my identity, really.”
Contributing: Xoel Cardenas
