Talkative Teen With Autism Cheers Up Veterans In The Retirement Home

A teenager in St. Cloud, Minnesota is stealing hearts and making new friends at a VA medical center. Thirteen-year-old Aidan Knaus would much rather spend time volunteering at the local retirement home for veterans than be at home himself.

Earlier this year, Aidan was diagnosed with memory lapses, ADHD and high functioning autism. His mom says school has been hard for him and she was worried. But after seeing how much he is thriving doing his volunteer work at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, she’s very proud and says “He’s perfect just the way he is.”

Mary Klowski agrees. “In all the years — and I’ve been here at the VA for 10 years plus — I’ve never came across a student like you that’s so interactive,” Mary tells Aidan. She, like many others at the center have to wait in line to visit with him. “Everybody, they want Aidan,” she laughs. “But Aidan’s never available because everybody wants him.”

See why his ‘gift of gab’ makes him so special and share this teen’s story with your friends!