With his spiked blond hair, blue eyes and constant smile, 2-year-old Tripp Halstead is used to attention, even from strangers. He loves having his picture taken so much, he’s been known to jump into other’s people’s pictures.
“People are drawn to him,” his father, Bill Halstead, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “What you see in the pictures is 100 percent him. He’s second to none.”
But never has the attention meant as much as it does now, as Tripp lies in critical condition in a bed at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. Tuesday night marked 24 hours since the toddler underwent brain surgery, hours after being struck by a falling tree limb while at his Winder daycare center.
It was a freak accident on an unusually windy day. But it left the ever-happy Barrow County boy fighting for his life, and his parents and other family members praying for a miracle.
“He’s doing fairly well,” Halstead said by phone Tuesday night. “Most of the doctors seem to be happy with where he’s at.”
Wednesday afternoon brought another small sigh of relief, when the pressure around Tripp’s brain dropped, his family said.
Still, Tripp is by no means out of danger, and his family is learning to take his recovery hour by hour, minute by minute.
“The next couple days are extremely critical to us,” Halstead said.
Doctors are constantly monitoring Tripp for bruising and swelling in his head as he recovers from the surgery that lasted more than three hours. It’s an emotional process of waiting, and Tripp’s parents and relatives have remained at the hospital every minute.
Halstead said he and his wife, Stacy, have been overwhelmed with the support and words of sympathy they continue to receive, even from strangers. Halstead has turned to Facebook to update friends on Tripp’s recovery.
“Thank you again to everyone, it is amazing how loved and cared for we all feel right now,” Halstead posted Tuesday night.
Halstead has also posted pictures of his son taken at the hospital. He’s holding his prized Lightning McQueen toy, but Tripp’s usual, toothy grin is missing. His family clings to the hope the little boy with the huge personality will recover.
A Facebook page titled "Tripp Halstead Updates" was set up so Halstead can keep the old and new friends updated of changes in Tripp's condition.
A fund has been established to assist the Halstead with any costs associated with Tripp’s medical care. Donations can be made at any PNC bank branch in Tripp Halstead’s name.
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