Today, five-year-old Ryder has shown immense bravery after enduring a horrific ordeal at a very young age.
In a shocking incident during a family gathering on Thanksgiving in 2015 in North Carolina, young Ryder, at only 21 months old, was viciously attacked by two rottweilers. The attack resulted in him losing half of his face, breaking teeth, sustaining a broken arm, and suffering a punctured lung.
Despite the severity of his injuries, his family’s hopes of his survival were slim. However, Ryder, a true fighter, defied the odds and has since undergone over 50 surgeries.
Despite his resilience, Ryder now faces bullying from both children and adults due to his altered appearance.
According to The Mirror, Ryder’s mother Brittany shared instances where her son has been taunted and mistreated because of his looks.
Brittany recalled, “When we went to the park, there was a kid who yelled ‘monster!’ at him and then ran away. I was shopping and someone said ‘ew, yuck’ to him. It’s tough and breaks my heart as a parent after everything he’s been through. People are not nice.”
Despite these challenges, Ryder continues to showcase his strength and determination.
Described as a ‘miracle’ by medical professionals for his remarkable recovery, Ryder’s mother now grapples with the fear of sending him back to school.
She shared, “He wears glasses and a hat, and sometimes he hides his face on one side. But I tell him every day that he is beautiful. Different is beautiful, and it’s OK to be different.”
Emphasizing the importance of being kind to those with facial differences, Ryder’s mother aims to raise awareness about the impact of bullying on individuals like her son.
Let’s teach our children to embrace differences and show kindness to help individuals like Ryder live their lives to the fullest.
Share this story to send love and support to this resilient young boy, reminding him of his inner and outer beauty.
