The Barrow County toddler critically injured three weeks ago by a falling tree limb will take another step toward recovery Tuesday. Tripp Halstead will move to another children’s hospital for rehabilitation, his family said Monday.
Tripp has been at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston since Oct. 29, the day he underwent emergency brain surgery hours after being injured at his Winder daycare. Doctors prepared Tripp’s parents for the worst, fearing the toddler may not survive the night, Bill and Stacy Halstead said.
But Tripp survived the crucial hours and then days, despite ups and downs, his family said. Now breathing on his own, the toddler continues to take small steps, despite suffering a severe brain injury. Tripp will travel by ambulance to Children's Healthcare of Scottish Rite, his parents said through a Facebook page the family uses to update thousands of people several times a day.
“We still do not know what our recovery will look like, but the good news is that Tripp is still here, that he will be able to have a recovery, that we still have our baby,” Bill Halstead posted on Facebook. “We are getting ready for his next step to rehab, we know how hard it is going to be on all of us.”
Tripp’s mother said her son is similar to a newborn in that he currently isn’t holding his head up and has no expression, except a moan if he gets upset.
But the family says it continues to draw strength from the outpouring of support it has received, including several fundraisers organized by businesses and other friends in the Barrow County area.
“Thank you again for all the prayers!!” Stacy Halstead posted Monday afternoon. “They say Rehab is going to be a very trying time, but with all the prayers we are getting everyday, we know we can handle anything!!!”
Donations to the family will be used to offset the toddler’s medical costs.
About the Author
