Doctors expect toddler hit by tree limb to survive
After more than a week spent beside their critically ill toddler’s bedside, some Barrow County parents got the positive news Tuesday they and others have awaited.
“Our doctors felt confident enough in Tripp’s condition to tell us that they thought he was going to SURVIVE!,” Bill Halstead posted on Facebook. “I wanted to tell all of you, you are all Tripp’s family now, the great news.”
Bill and Stacy Halstead admittedly haven't always known whether 2-year-old Tripp would recover after a tree limb fell on him Oct. 29 at his Winder daycare. It was an extra windy day propelled by Hurricane Sandy, and the limb gave way, striking the toddler in the head.
Tripp was taken to a local hospital and then Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, where he underwent emergency surgery Monday afternoon. The day following Tripp’s surgery, doctors focused on the boy’s survival hour-by-hour, Bill Halstead said.
"The next couple days are extremely critical to us," Bill Halstead previously told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
News of Tripp's injuries and his recovery spread quickly through Facebook, and two days after his surgery, the toddler had a page specifically for updates. Well over 40,000 are now following the family's Facebook updates, a show of support the Halsteads say has been overwhelming, but very welcome.
“We love you all and keep the prayers coming, they are working,” Bill Halstead posted online Tuesday afternoon.
Several fundraisers are planned to assist the family with medical costs. "Team up for Tripp" is planned from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday at Whata Cutie Cuts in Buford. An online auction is also planned, and businesses, such as the Dairy Queen in Winder, are donating proceeds to the fund-raising efforts for Tripp.
