In order to save his younger sister, a 7-year-old kid ran out in front of a dangerous dog, and he now says he’s proud of his wounds.
In July 2020, Bridger Walker and his sister, age 4, were visiting a friend in Wyoming when they were outside in the backyard when a 1-year-old German Shepherd mix lunged at them.
According to NBC News’ July 2020 report, which cited the siblings’ parents, Bridger, who was 6 years old at the time, instinctively moved in front of his sister to defend her and was attacked in the face by the dog.
The child sustained unsightly facial scars as a result of the injury, which required 90 stitches and required many surgeries to treat.
At the time, Bridger remarked, “If someone had to die, I thought it should be me.”
That statement is still true for the now 7-year-old. Robert Walker, his father, claimed that his kid takes pride in having a scar and isn’t particularly disturbed by it.
“My wife and I asked him, ‘Do you want it to go away?’ And he said, ‘I don’t want it to go all the way away,’” the dad of five said, according to People.
“Bridger views his scar as something to be proud of, but he also doesn’t see it as being representative of his brave act. He just perceives it as, ‘I was a brother and that’s what brothers do.’ It’s a reminder that his sister didn’t get hurt, and that she is okay.”
Nikki Walker, his aunt, told him his tale at the time. “My nephew is a hero who saved his little sister from an attacking dog,” the pleased aunt wrote on Instagram.
“He, himself, took on the attack so that the dog wouldn’t get his sister. He later said, ‘If someone was going to die, I thought it should be me.’ He got home from the hospital last night. I know it’s a long shot, but I’m reaching out to the Avengers and other heroes so that they can learn about this latest addition to their ranks.”
She tagged several “superhero” stars in her post, including Chris Evans (Captain America) and Robert Downey Jr. (Ironman), who both responded to the tale with video comments for the young hero.
However, Bridger’s father stated that his son does not feel at ease being referred to as a hero.
He said: “It almost bothers him sometimes when he’s called a hero, because he [thinks], ‘Maybe I could have done more to shield her.’”
The family is overwhelmed with gratitude that so many of their son’s heroes have reached out to offer support.
Even though Bridger has had to go through so many operations, there is still more work that needs to be done.
After hearing his experience, a dermatologist named Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, who promised to treat him for free and fly him to his office in New York, said, “We still have a little bit more work to do on the superficial, redness part of it, but structurally everything looks so much better.”
Anne Hathaway and Mark Ruffalo are two additional Hollywood stars who have gotten in touch.