At just five years old, Ryder Wells from North Carolina has endured more trauma than most face in a lifetime.
At 21 months, he survived a brutal attack by two 100-pound rottweilers during a 2015 Thanksgiving visit. He lost half his face, crushed his teeth, broke an arm, and suffered a punctured lung. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive, but Ryder pulled through and has since undergone around 50 surgeries.
Despite his incredible resilience, Ryder now faces cruelty from others. His mom, Brittany, says strangers stare, and children call him names like “monster.” One even shouted “ew” at him while shopping.
“It breaks my heart,” Brittany said. “After all he’s been through, people still aren’t kind.”
Ryder wears glasses and a cap to feel more comfortable, and his mom reminds him daily that “different is beautiful.” She fears how he’ll be treated in school but hopes sharing his story raises awareness about the impact of bullying and the need for kindness toward those who look different.