In an effort to bring him some joy this holiday season, Ryland's family is asking people to send him Christmas cards while he continues to recover in the hospital. You can help.
Ryland Ward is a survivor of the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of 26 parishioners of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas last month. But the five-year-old boy hardly made it out unscathed. In addition to being shot five times, Ryland also lost his mother and two of his sisters in the attack. He has been recovering in the hospital ever since
In an effort to bring him some joy this holiday season, Ryland's family is asking people to send him Christmas cards. "They still haven't told him yet that his mom and sisters are dead, but I'm sure he's kind of getting some kind of idea because he's 5," his grandmother Sandy Ward told KSAT.
WATCH: Texas Church Members Worship Together in Sutherland Springs for First Time Since Mass Shooting
Ryland was shot once in the elbow, twice in the stomach, and twice in the leg. Doctors hoped he would be out of the hospital by Christmas, but but kidney complications have slowed down his recovery. He’s expected to be in the hospital for six to eight more weeks.
Despite it all, Ward says Ryland hasn’t stopped smiling. He especially enjoys receiving Christmas cards with photos from other children and their pets. Ward's family is also asking for a $1 donation with each card to help them
suprise him with a go-kart for Christmas.
Those interested in sending a Christmas card can send it to the following address:
Ryland Ward
P.O. Box 174
Sutherland Springs, Texas, 78161
To donate to his medical expenses, visit Ryland’s GoFundMe page here.
