NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — Ryder has autism and needs an adoptive family to give him structure, consistency, and, most of all, love.
Today's Wednesday's Child is 14-year-old Ryder.
Ryder is afraid of heights, but there's nothing more empowering than facing your fears. He conquered his fear and got on a zipline at Catapult Adventure Park in North Richland Hills.
"I'm mastering my fear," said Ryder. "I really had fun playing on the trampoline, slide, and the zip line."
Ryder enjoyed bouncing and jumping, but his favorite part was sharing about himself.
"I'm happy and I'm awesome," he said adding that he would like to work at McDonald's one day.
"Because I like happy meals," he said.
Ryder said that what makes him happy is meeting new friends. He shows his love to others through hugs and helping out around the house.
"Take out the trash and clean up your room," he said.
Ryder's case worker says Ryder is very special to her. Tiffany Gonzales considers herself his most fierce advocate.
"I love Ryder's transparency," said Gonzales. "Ryder needs a family that is going to love him unconditionally. Ryder will need lifelong care however, he is a high-functioning autistic child. Ryder is very intelligent."
Ryder and Gonzales share a special bond. Gonzales said she understands firsthand the urgency to adopt Ryder because she was once in his shoes.
"Ryder means everything to me," she said while tearing up. "Ryder is me except Ryder is a boy. I was adopted. I was featured on Wednesday's Child," she said.
Just like Gonzales needed a special family to adopt her when she was 12, so does Ryder and he reminds her that he's counting on her.
"Adoption is when you're getting adopted by families. Thank you for helping find me a family," Ryder told Gonzales.
"I'm gonna advocate for Ryder until Ryder gets that family," said Gonzales reassuringly.
Ryder has a team that believes in him and the best part about it is that he does too.
"I'm nice. I'm cool and I'm awesome," he said confidently with a big smile on his face.
If you are interested in finding out more about Ryder, please contact the Heart Gallery of North Texas at 817-809-3440 or email them at hello@heartgallerynorthtexas.org. Please include Ryder's name in the subject line.
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