Thieves Stole This Boy’s Wheelchair, Then Strangers Gave Him Something Even Better

  • A stolen electric wheelchair in Midvale sparked a fast community response.
  • Local nonprofits and businesses teamed up to replace the chair and add gear for outdoor life.
  • The story highlights small acts of kindness turning a family’s low moment into hope.

What started as heartbreak for one family in Midvale became a neighborhood story about quick kindness and teamwork. Eleven-year-old Axton’s donated electric wheelchair was taken from the family parking lot, leaving him and his parents scrambling. The loss was especially painful because insurance had not covered a chair and the donation had felt like a lifeline.

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Photo: Jayson Bird and Axton

Axton lives with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, a rare condition that limits joint movement and makes long walks difficult. Losing the chair meant losing freedom to move independently, and the family felt the weight of that every day. Neighbors and friends watched the story unfold and many felt compelled to help.

“When the wheelchair was stolen, we kind of hit rock bottom,” Axton’s dad, Jayson Bird, shared. “All we were seeing was red and anger, thinking, ‘How could someone do this?’ But I had to remind myself and remind my wife and my family that sometimes God works in mysterious ways, and God brought these wonderful people to us.”

Mike Felice from Disabled Outdoorsmen Utah saw the family’s struggle after FOX 13 News ran the report and immediately started making calls. The piece on FOX 13 News helped connect local groups that could actually move quickly. Within days the community had plans, contacts, and offers in motion.

“Let’s don’t focus on the negative, let’s focus on the positive and what can we do to resolve this, and let’s get this young man a new chair,” he said.

Compassion Mobility, Disabled Outdoorsmen Utah, and other volunteers arranged a new, custom electric wheelchair designed so Axton can operate it with his elbow. That chair restored mobility and gave him a sense of independence his family had been missing. The speed and practical thinking of the groups involved made a big difference for day-to-day life.

The kindness didn’t stop there

Kings Camo offered hunting gear so Axton can join outings, and Huckleberry Hiking donated tandem hiking equipment to help him access trails. Supporters also raised $2,500 to help cover other family needs and ongoing therapies. These additions turned a simple replacement into a broader push to help Axton enjoy the outdoors.

“Overwhelmed, overjoyed, speechless,” he said. “To watch our son have the independence and mobility that he deserves and have such a really awesome and cool wheelchair that he can grow into and have for many years to come, means the world to us and our family.”