Ryder Wells, just five years old, has already faced unimaginable challenges in his young life. The brave boy from North Carolina survived a horrific attack by two rottweilers during a family Thanksgiving gathering back in 2015.
At only 21 months old, Ryder was viciously attacked by the two 100-pound dogs. The assault left him with severe injuries, including the loss of half his face, crushed teeth, a broken arm, and a punctured lung. His family feared the worst, but against all odds, Ryder survived and has since undergone roughly 50 surgeries to rebuild his life.
Facing Kindness and Cruelty
Despite his miraculous recovery, Ryder now faces another type of challenge: public bullying and unkind reactions. Both children and adults sometimes stare, make rude comments, or point at him.
“When we go to the park, a child once shouted ‘monster’ at him and ran away,” Ryder’s mother Brittany shared with The Mirror. “Even while shopping, strangers have shouted hurtful things. It breaks my heart as a parent that after everything he’s survived, people can be so unkind about something beyond his control.”
Yet, Ryder’s resilience shines through. Brittany proudly says, “He’s such a fighter. Nothing holds him back.”
A Miracle Recovery
Doctors have called Ryder’s survival nothing short of a miracle. Even with the extensive trauma he endured as a toddler, his determination and strength have been extraordinary.
As Ryder prepares to start school, Brittany admits she worries about the potential for bullying. “He sometimes wears glasses and a cap to feel more comfortable, and he’ll hang his head to hide his face. I tell him every day that he’s beautiful and that being different is okay. But as a parent, I worry about how some kids might treat him.”
Raising Awareness About Bullying
Brittany hopes that sharing Ryder’s story will encourage kindness and understanding toward children with facial differences or injuries. “We need to teach kids not to single out anyone for looking different. Every child deserves to feel safe, accepted, and loved,” she says.
Ryder’s story is a reminder of courage, resilience, and the importance of compassion. Despite facing trauma, surgeries, and unkind reactions, this young boy continues to inspire everyone around him with his strength and spirit.
Share this story to celebrate Ryder’s courage and help raise awareness about bullying and facial injury recovery—let him know he’s truly beautiful inside and out.