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Doctors prepare to move Tripp Halstead

ATLANTA — Tripp Halstead is set to begin his rehabilitation Tuesday at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. It will mark the beginning of a very long road.

"A lot of people picture, you know, 'go to rehab and start walking right around.' But for us, it's going to be 'get to rehab and keep the limbs loose so the ligaments don't tighten up,'" Tripp's father, Bill Halstead, told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh.

Halstead said doctors will be helping him relearn some of the most basic human functions.

Doctors said they are teaching him how to swallow, and people are born knowing how to swallow.

"So that kind of gives you a baseline of where he is right now," Bill Halstead said.

Over the weekend, doctors told the Halsteads that Tripp may never be the same, due to the brain damage he suffered.

It was three weeks ago that winds from Hurricane Sandy knocked a tree limb onto Tripp's head.

The Halsteads shared home movies with Channel 2 Action News. They show the always-animated Tripp, so full of expression.

Bill Halstead said he and his wife try not to focus on what was or what will be. Instead, they celebrate each moment now, each little victory for Tripp as he continues to fight.

"It's kind of scary; we really don't know what to expect as far as recovery goes, and it just gets tough. But, thanks to all the support we get, because it's what keeps us going," Bill Halstead said.

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