Boy, 5, survives savage attack by two dogs only to be called a ‘monster’ in public
Young Ryder Wells, now five years old, has faced more trauma than many people encounter throughout their entire lives.
The child from North Carolina survived a vicious assault by two rottweilers during a family Thanksgiving visit in 2015. The attack occurred when Ryder was only 21 months old.
Two 100-pound dogs mauled the toddler. The attack destroyed half his face, crushed his teeth, broke his arm, and punctured his lung.
His relatives believed he would not survive. This determined child pulled through and has since undergone approximately 50 operations.
Rather than receiving recognition for surviving such a terrible incident, this gentle boy now faces harsh remarks from both children and adults.
His classroom aide reported that adults would stare at Ryder when he first began attending school.
"Children at the playground point and yell 'monster' at him before running away," mother Brittany told The Mirror newspaper.
"Someone shouted 'ew' at him while we were shopping recently. This hurts and devastates me as his parent. After everything he has survived, people are not always kind about something he cannot control.
"He fights through everything and refuses to let obstacles stop him."
Medical professionals describe Ryder's recovery as a 'miracle' since doctors did not expect his survival.
The 31-year-old mother from Granite Falls worries about her son entering school.
"He puts on glasses and a hat and sometimes lowers his head to conceal his face. I tell him daily that he is beautiful. Different means beautiful and being different is acceptable.
"I comfort him constantly, but I feel extremely frightened about his school experience. Some children will always be unkind."
She aims to educate people about how bullying affects individuals with facial differences. She hopes Ryder's experience will encourage people to reconsider how they interact with those who appear different.
Parents must teach children not to isolate those who look different and show kindness to help children like Ryder live the joyful life they deserve.
Please share this story to demonstrate your support for this little boy and show him he is beautiful inside and outside.
