Not So Fragile: Aaron Haugenʼs Story

Fragile X had only been discovered a few years before Aaron was born. His parents noticed symptoms earlier, but they weren’t able to get a final diagnosis until Aaron was 10 years old. This is their story.

This video premiered in 2019 at Wartburg College. It was produced by the college’s Journalism-Communications department and made him and his family local celebrities. Originally posted on YouTube on April 11, 2019.

The Haugens

Aaron’s diagnosis came at age 10. The news drastically changed their lives for Aaron, his parents, and his sister Angela, who was just 12 at the time.

Their circle of family and friends — plus doctors and other specialized professionals — were there to help guide and support them as they came to understand what the diagnosis meant and how to move forward to give Aaron what he needed to live his best life.

Today, Aaron is an independent and active member of his community in Waverly, Iowa, a town with a population of around 10,000. He has worked in dining services at nearby Wartburg College for over a decade and lives independently in a Larrabee Center apartment. The Larrabee Center meets various support needs for individuals in a community-based setting.