A five-year-old boy who survived the shooting in Texas that killed 26 people, including three members of his family, will be spending the holidays in the hospital.
Ryland Ward’s grandmother, Sandy Ward, is hoping people can help bring the little boy some Christmas cheer by sending him cards, reported KSAT-TV.
Ryland’s mother, Joann Ward, and his sisters Brooke Ward, five, and Emily Garza, seven, were killed in the November 5 shooting.
The five-year-old boy was rushed out of the church by his uncle and taken to a hospital where has since been recovering from five gunshot wounds.
A five-year-old boy who survived the shooting in Texas that killed 26 people, including three members of his family, will be spending the holidays in the hospital. Ryland Ward’s grandmother, Sandy Ward, is hoping people can help bring the little boy (pictured, left and right) some cheer by sending him cards
Ryland’s mother, Joann Ward, and his sisters Brooke Ward, five, and Emily Garza, seven, were killed in the November 5 shooting. The five-year-old boy (pictured, right, with his father, Chris) was rushed out of the church by his uncle and taken to a hospital where has since been recovering from five gunshot wounds
‘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 five and everybody else has been up there to see him and they haven’t been there,’ Sandy told the station.
Sandy thought Ryland would be out of the hospital before Christmas, but his shattered femur is not healing as doctors had hoped it would and he has been having some kidney problems.
He is expected to remain in the hospital for six to eight additional weeks.
His family is asking for help brightening Ryland’s stay by sending a card. Relatives say Ryland also enjoys getting pictures from other children and their pets.
Sandy Ward thought her grandson Ryland (pictured) would be out of the hospital before Christmas, but his shattered femur is not healing as doctors had hoped it would and he has been having some kidney problems
Joann Ward (pictured) died shielding her four young children when a gunman opened fire inside a Texas church in Sutherland Springs, killing 26
Sisters six-year-old Brooke (left) and eight-year-old Emily Garza (pictured, right, sitting on the right, next to her sister Rihanna) were killed in the shooting according to her family. Nine-year-old Rihanna (sitting next to Emily) had her glasses shot off her face but survived
Joann Ward died shielding her four young children when a gunman opened fire inside a Texas church in Sutherland Springs.
Although her daughter Brooke and Emily died, her son Ryland her nine-year-old daughter Rhianna did survive. Her husband, Chris Ward, was not at the church.
‘I didn’t get shot because I was hiding, and Momma covered Emily, Ryland and Brooke,’ Rihanna, who had her glasses shot off her face but survived the attack, recounted, according to the post by the family friend, Vonda Greek Smith.
A trust has been set up for the remaining two children via a GoFundMe page. So far, $68,656 has been raised out of a $100,000 goal.
Cards can be mailed to Ryland Ward, PO Box 174, Sutherland Springs, Texas 78161.