Army SFC Joshua Olson

Spokane, WA

Inspired by his family’s multigenerational lineage of military service, Josh Olson enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in 1997.

On October 27, 2003, Sergeant First Class Olson was on a patrol with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in Iraq when he was severely injured in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack, resulting in the loss of his right leg at the hip, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other injuries.

He was transported to Landstuhl, Germany, before returning stateside to Walter Reed Medical Center, where he spent over a year and a half undergoing more than a dozen surgeries. After extensive rehabilitation, Josh remained on active duty for 14 years before retirement.

Josh and his wife, Emory, an Army Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, are proud parents to daughters Elysia and Everleigh. Josh coaches high school football and runs the after-school and summer strength and conditioning programs.

The family’s current non-adapted home is not wheelchair accessible, making it difficult for Josh to rest and recover. A specially adapted custom HFOT home will allow him to access the entire home. “With the home set up for me to use a wheelchair, I will be able to give my shoulders and leg a break. Then I can pitch in more with the chores around the house to relieve some of the burden off my wife,” he says.

Originally from Washington State, Josh is choosing to remain in his home state because of the atmosphere and lifestyle.

Josh would like HFOT donors and supporters to know the difference they are making in the lives of injured Veterans. “These HFOT homes provide Veterans and their families with a safe place to live, giving them the freedom to write their next chapters and positively impact their communities.”

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