Nearly seven-year-old Ryder Wells from North Carolina has endured incredible challenges since surviving a devastating attack at just 21 months old. While visiting friends for Thanksgiving, Ryder was mauled by two 100-pound Rottweilers, leaving him with severe injuries, including the loss of half his face, crushed teeth, a broken arm, and a punctured lung.

Doctors had little hope for his survival, but Ryder defied the odds. Over the past five years, he has undergone around 50 reconstructive surgeries, with more ahead to rebuild his nose and teeth as he grows. His mother, Brittany, calls him “a fighter,” but the road remains tough.

Attending kindergarten, Ryder faces constant stares, even from adults. “He wears glasses and a cap, sometimes hanging his head to hide his face,” Brittany told The Mirror. “I tell him every day he’s beautiful, different is beautiful, and it’s okay to be different.”

Sadly, Ryder experiences cruelty. At a park, a child called him a “monster” and ran away. In public, strangers react negatively. “It breaks my heart that after all he’s been through, people aren’t always kind,” Brittany said.

Brittany fears bullying as Ryder grows and advocates for acceptance. “I just reassure him, but I’m terrified about school,” she admits. She urges everyone to teach children respect and embrace differences, ensuring kids like Ryder can thrive in a kinder world.