Tot injured by tree limb making progress

WINDER, Ga. — The parents of a 2-year-old suffering from a critical brain injury stemming from Hurricane Sandy said they have seen some small, but positive signs of improvement.

One week ago, high winds from the super storm snapped a tree limb in Winder. The limb hit Tripp Halstead in the head. He was playing behind his day care.

"I saw him move for the first time today and I cried because you haven't seen your baby move since Sunday, and it's just great," said mother Stacy Halstead.

"We've seen him move. I haven't seen him move since last Sunday," said father Bill Halstead.

Stacy and Bill Halstead said they are tiny movements, but seeing them has given them the most hope they've experienced in a week.

The Halsteads have spent every moment since by their son's side at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egelston.

Channel 2 Action News has stayed in touch with the Halsteads, getting daily updates as thousands across north Georgia and beyond have prayed for Tripp.

The past seven days have been a roller coaster ride for Tripp's family, especially on Friday, when nearly all hope was lost.

"We were saying our goodbyes and now we're looking forward to tomorrow," said Stacy Halstead.

Over the weekend, doctors began tapering Tripp off his the medication keeping him in his induced coma. That triggered some natural involuntary reaction.

"He's been gagging when they adjust his breathing tube and (those are) all great signs," said Bill Halstead.

"To watch your baby, it looks like he's hurting and choking and I had to step away," said Stacy Halstead.

The Halsteads said these are baby steps, but baby steps forward.

"It's a week (and) he's alive,"said Bill Hallstead.

http://bcove.me/1bqrzn1k

WSBTV