💙 AT JUST 7, RYDER HAS ENDURED MORE THAN 150 PROCEDURES — BUT HE NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING 🥺✨

At just seven years old, Ryder Hamrick has already endured a medical journey that would be unimaginable for most children. 💔

Born with a rare condition called lymphatic malformations, Ryder developed extensive fluid-filled cysts affecting his face, neck, throat, back and chest. The growths have made something as basic as breathing and eating incredibly difficult. 🫧

When Ryder was born five weeks premature, doctors feared he might not survive. He was delivered by emergency C-section and was born without a heartbeat. It took 20 minutes of CPR and intubation to stabilize him. 😢🙏

Just days later, doctors placed a permanent tracheostomy to help him breathe.

Ryder spent his first seven months in the hospital, undergoing more than 50 sclerotherapy treatments before he was stable enough to finally go home. 🏥💙

But his battle was far from over.

Over the years, Ryder has undergone more than 150 procedures to drain cysts, remove scar tissue, improve his breathing and keep his airway open. He has also needed four major surgeries to reduce the size of the growths.

Because of severe narrowing in his throat, the opening is now only about the size of a pencil eraser. He relies on a tracheostomy to breathe and a feeding tube to receive nutrition. 🫶

Yet despite everything he has been through, Ryder continues to amaze everyone around him. 🌟

His mother, Emily, says he has an incredible personality. When people stare because he looks different, Ryder often introduces himself to them instead of turning away. ❤️

“He’s wonderful in public,” his mother says. “His personality brings people together.”

This year, starting kindergarten was another huge milestone for Ryder. 🎒💙 His mother even wrote to the families in his class, explaining that although he may look different, he enjoys many of the same things as every other child.

Now, Ryder’s family is hoping to raise funds for an innovative minimally invasive surgery that could potentially help him live without his tracheostomy and feeding tube and reduce the number of procedures he needs. 🙏✨

After doctors once warned that he might survive only a few hours, Ryder has already proven just how strong a little fighter can be. 💙

🌈 Seven years. More than 150 procedures. Countless challenges. And still, Ryder keeps moving forward.

Please keep this brave little boy and his family in your thoughts and prayers. 🙏💙