At just five years old, Ryder Wells has endured more trauma than most people face in a lifetime.
In 2015, while visiting family in North Carolina for Thanksgiving, Ryder survived a horrific attack by two 100-pound rottweilers. He was just 21 months old at the time. The dogs left him with devastating injuries: he lost half his face, his teeth were crushed, and he suffered a broken arm and a punctured lung.
Against all odds, Ryder defied the expectations of doctors and his family, who feared he wouldn’t survive. This little fighter pulled through and has since undergone nearly 50 surgeries to rebuild his face and body.
Despite his incredible resilience, Ryder now faces cruelty from others because of his appearance.
According to his teaching assistant, when Ryder first started school, even adults would stare at him. His mom, Brittany, shared heartbreaking stories: “When we go to the park, there’s a child who points and screams ‘monster’ at him before running away,” she told The Mirror. “While shopping the other day, someone shouted ‘ew’ at him. It’s devastating as a parent to see how people treat him after all he’s been through, especially when it’s something he can’t control.”
Yet Ryder’s spirit remains unbroken. “He’s such a fighter; he doesn’t let anything hold him back,” Brittany said.
Ryder’s survival is nothing short of a miracle. Even doctors were astounded he pulled through. However, Brittany, 31, from Granite Falls, admits she’s fearful about his future, especially as he grows older and starts school.
“He wears glasses and a cap, and sometimes he’ll hang his head to hide his face. But I tell him every day that he’s beautiful, that being different is beautiful, and it’s okay to be unique,” she said.
Brittany wants to raise awareness about the impact of bullying, especially on children with facial differences. She hopes Ryder’s story will inspire others to think about how they treat people who look different.
“We must teach our children to embrace kindness, not single out those who look different, and help kids like Ryder live the happy life they deserve,” Brittany said.
Let’s share Ryder’s story to show him that he’s beautiful inside and out, and to encourage a kinder, more compassionate world.