Five year old Texas shooting victim asks the public to send him Christmas cards

Ryland Ward , the five year old who survived the Texas Church Shooting, is asking everyone to add hinm to your list when you send out holiday cards this year. He's in the Hospital still recovering from a shattered femur and kidney problems due to the shooting in Sutherland Springs Church. During the violence the young boy lost his mother and two sisters during the killings. Sandy Ward continues to mourn the loss of two of her grandchildren and her daughter-in-law "It's really been hitting me this week," she said. "It seems like all I do is cry lots of days because I still miss JoAnn and the girls (Emily and Brooke) and I'm sure it will be a long time before I get over that."

Doctors though young Ryland would be out of the hospital before Christmas, but his shattered femur is not healing as doctors had hoped it would. He is also having some problems with his kidney.Doctors are hoping he will be able to go home in six to eight weeks.The Ward family is asking for the community’s help. They are hoping fill Ryland’s stay at the hospital with joy.Those interested in sending a Christmas card with a dollar can send it to the following address: Ryland WardP.O. Box 174Sutherland Springs, Texas, 78161Ward said they are going to save the money for a Go-Kart and that he also likes getting pictures from other children and their pets.

Ryland told Police "I didn't get shot because I was hiding, and Mama covered Emily, Ryland and Brooke", Vonda Greek Smith, a friend of the family said, repeating what Rihanna told her. The boy is in critical condition.

A helicopter flew Ryland to University Hospital in San Antonio, where Ryland's father, Chris Ward; his grandmother Sandy Ward; and his sister where the young boy has been ever since. Twenty-six people were killed and at least 20 others were injured when the suspected attacker, Devin Patrick Kelley, opened fire at the church earlier this month.Kelley served in the US Air Force between 2010 and 2014. He was court-martialled in 2012 on two charges of domestic assault on his wife and stepson and received a "Bad Conduct Discharge" from the Air Force two years later.