At only five years old, Ryder Wells has endured more trauma than many face in a lifetime.
While visiting family in North Carolina for Thanksgiving in 2015, Ryder—just 21 months old at the time—was viciously attacked by two 100-pound rottweilers. The attack left him with devastating injuries: half of his face was torn away, his teeth were crushed, and he suffered a broken arm and a punctured lung.
Despite the odds and fears he wouldn’t survive, Ryder pulled through. Since then, he has undergone approximately 50 surgeries.
But instead of receiving admiration for his courage, Ryder now faces cruel reactions from strangers. According to his mother, Brittany, even adults stare at him in public. His teaching assistant recalled how people reacted when he started school, and Brittany shared painful moments where children would scream “monster” or people would recoil in disgust while out shopping.
“It breaks my heart,” Brittany said. “After everything he’s survived, people still treat him harshly for something beyond his control.”
Still, Ryder is remarkably resilient. Though he sometimes hides his face with a cap or looks down in public, his mom reminds him daily that he’s beautiful and that being different is okay.
As Ryder prepares to start school, Brittany admits she’s afraid of how peers will treat him, knowing not every child will be kind.
She now hopes to raise awareness about the deep impact of bullying, especially on those with visible differences. Through Ryder’s story, she wants to encourage others to show compassion and teach children to be accepting and kind.
Let’s spread love and support for brave kids like Ryder—because every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and beautiful just as they are.