From “Rabbit Kid” to Confident Smile: Evan Hill’s Inspiring Braces Journey

Every kid who’s worn braces has an awkward photo, but Evan Hill’s transformation is truly unforgettable. The New Zealand boy was relentlessly bullied in middle school, cruelly nicknamed “rabbit kid” because of his prominent front teeth.

“They call me bunny rabbit, and I’m not,” Evan said in a 2011 TV clip that first shared his story.

A Community of Kindness

Evan’s family couldn’t afford the costly orthodontic work, but strangers from around the world stepped in. Inspired viewers donated more than $100,000 to help the then-12-year-old fix his smile. His mother, Barbara, admitted the family had even considered mortgaging their home: “I don’t know where we would have been today without the generosity we had.”

The Five-Year Transformation

Orthodontist Ronald Sluiter spent five years gradually shifting Evan’s teeth back 15 millimeters. Monthly appointments and braces finally gave Evan the confident smile he once thought impossible. When the braces came off, his only reaction was one word: “Good!”

Giving Back

Even better, the leftover funds from Evan’s campaign will now help other children in need of dental care—spreading smiles far beyond his own.