Boy, 12, celebrates birthday by giving back

Aidan Smith is a 12 year old boy from Council Bluffs, Iowa. He had a party for his 12th birthday, but his party wasn't an ordinary 12 year old party. His party consist of giving back. Aidan Smith is just an ordinary 12 year old, he has Juvenile Huntington's disease or JHD. He was diagnosed with JHD in 2012. JHD is a progressive disorder that causes a breakdown of the brain cells, it impacts physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities. 

This year for his birthday, him and his family decided to have a birthday party where they collected donations for the Midlands Humane Society. "We have anywhere between 150 and 200 animals on-site every day. That's a lot of supplies, a lot of food and a lot of medication. So those donations just help our stretched out dollars go even further," said Kori Nelson, director of development and marketing for the Midlands Humane Society. Aidan's friends, family, and classmates came together to collect donations for this cause since it was so close to his heart. His classmates at school also sold key chains to raise money for the Midlands Humane Society. "I think it just touches everybody. It makes people realize that anybody can do a little bit and it adds up to a lot," Nelson said.

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1. What are your thoughts on this story?

2. Would you collect donations for a charity for your birthday like Aidan did? If so, which charity/why?

3. What did you do for your 12th birthday party?

My thoughts -

1. I think this is such an inspirational story for everyone. There's not much Aidan can do, but he chose not to get presents for his birthday but to take donations for a charity which you don't see that many kids his age doing that. I think the world needs more stories like this because our world is all about war and negative things.

2. Honestly, collecting donations wouldn't be my first thought on my birthday, but I think it would be a cool goal to do that for one of my birthday's. If I was to choose a charity, I would probably choose the Humane Society also because I love animals, and I would love to do anything to help animals find a safe home.

3. I can't remember what I did for my 12th birthday, but I think I had a whole bunch of my friends over and we just went to the awkward middle school dance. 

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Replies

  • Good story and great summary! You did a good job commenting but didn't comment to pages 1 and 2.

  • It's a very heart warming story. No, because my birthdays don't have parties to which people can donate money to me so I can donate money to a charity. I didn't have a 12th birthday party. We kinda just stop doing parties after 11 years of age, so a birthday party didn't happen.

  • This is a really cool story, it really tells you of all the loving and caring people that are out there in this world. I don't think I would have thought to collect donations for my birthday. I can't really remember what I did for my 12th birthday party.

    • I agree, this story shows that there are actually loving and caring people in the world. Our world today is mainly about the negative things. It's good to have a story like this ever once in awhile. 

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    • I strongly agree, this story is an example to not only children, but teens and adults that by doing a simple action like collecting donations for a charity can actually change a person's life. I think it's really cool that you would pick the American Cancer Society to donate to. 

  • 1. This story really touches my heart. It is extraordinary for kids to not think about themselves on their birthday, and think of other kids, and especially for Aiden who has JHD. Many kids like to make their birthday 100% about them, and Aiden, or any kid or adult who has ever done this, deserves recognition. 

    2. After just recently turning 16 I feel bad that I have never thought of doing this for my birthday. With the idea now in my head I would definitely do something like this for my birthday, and would probably donate to a Cancer charity because I have had relatives die of cancer. 

    3. I have no idea what I did for my 12th birthday part, actually I don't even think I had a birthday party when I turned twelve. 

    • I agree, I kind of feel bad that I've never thought of donating money for my birthday. I think it would be really cool if you collected money and donated it to a cancer charity. I've also have had relatives die of cancer. 

  • I think this story is really touching and gives every some perspective in their life of what they should be doing. I would collect donations for a charity for my birthday if it was close to my heart like it was for Aiden. I would give the money to the American Cancer Society. I don't remember what I did for my 12th birthday.

  • I think story is very heart warming and inspirational. With his disorder he can't do much and most kids don't think about others that much. The fact that he wanted to help others for his birthday is just amazing. As I get older it would maybe be an idea to collect things for others, but as a kid I know I wouldn't. I have no clue what I did on my 12th birthday. I'm sure my mom has pictures of what we did to celebrate but I can't remember. 

    • I agree, this story is so heart warming. This kid is showing kids with disorders that they can do anything they can put their minds to. I also agree, as a kid we are a bit selfish. 

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