Doctors say that Tripp Halstead could begin his rehab at another hospital as soon as next week.
The 2-year-old Winder boy was injured on Oct. 29 when a large tree limb fell on him while he was outside at his daycare center.
Since that time, Tripp has been fighting for his life as the community has rallied around him.
The nearby Ronald McDonald House is helping the Halstead family navigate these difficult days, tending to their needs.
"They allow us to think about Tripp and nothing else, and that's wonderful," said Larry Hughes, Tripp's grandfather.
Since the day this tree fell on trip, his grandparents and some aunts and uncles have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House.
"We don't have to worry about a place to stay. We don't have to worry about food to eat. We don't have to worry about the parking over at the hospital," said Hughes.
A stocked kitchen, a comfortable bedroom, toys for when his cousins visit and laundry facilities -- all of it is free to the family It allows his grandparents, who spend 12 hours a day at the hospital, to focus on Tripp and support his parents, who have rarely left his bedside since the day of the accident.
"They had to call the other night, and we were there in less than 10 minutes. That just gives us such a piece of mind," said Connie Hughes, Tripp's grandmother.
As the Halstead family often says, their story is special because so many people have paid attention to it. But there are 50 other families living at the Ronald McDonald House watching their children fight disease or horrible injuries as well.
"We pray for each other, we encourage each other. We hear the stories. And there's no one in here that's not in crisis. You're only here because you have a sick child. So it is very comforting just to realize that others are going through it," said Connie Hughes.
Doctors say that if Tripp keeps improving, he could go to another hospital to begin rehab as soon as the middle of next week. Once that happens, he will probably be in that hospital for months and his mom will stay in a Ronald McDonald House.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Sunday, March 31 2013 6:55 PM EDT2013-03-31 22:55:12 GMT
It was a homecoming thousands had been waiting for the last few months. The parents of Tripp Halstead tell FOX 5 News that they are overwhelmed that their little boy is back at home.
It was a homecoming thousands had been waiting for the last few months. The parents of Tripp Halstead tell FOX 5 News that they are overwhelmed that their little boy is back at home.
Friday, March 22 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-03-23 03:38:32 GMT
Tripp Halstead's family is once again able to use Facebook to communicate with the 2-year-old's supporters.
Tripp Halstead's family is once again able to use Facebook to communicate with the 2-year-old's supporters. FOX 5 contacted Facebook on behalf of the Halstead family after their access was restricted, and it has since been restored.
Tuesday, February 19 2013 9:52 PM EST2013-02-20 02:52:48 GMT
Tripp Halstead's mother says he's recovering after another unexpected surgery on Tuesday. The 2-year-old's doctors operated on him again.
Tripp Halstead's mother says he's recovering after another unexpected surgery on Tuesday. The 2-year-old's doctors operated on him again, this time to remove and replace an external shunt after he recently developed bacterial meningitis.
Monday, February 18 2013 10:04 PM EST2013-02-19 03:04:12 GMT
Tripp Halstead's parents say he is now battling bacterial meningitis and a life-threatening infection after undergoing emergency surgery on Thursday. Get the latest updates on his condition here.
Tripp Halstead's parents say he is now battling bacterial meningitis and a life-threatening infection after undergoing emergency surgery on Thursday. Get the latest updates on his condition here.
Tripp Halstead has experienced a serious setback, his mother reports on his Facebook page. After Tripp was unable to sleep, doctors discovered he had contacted bacterial meningitis.
Friday, February 8 2013 5:43 AM EST2013-02-08 10:43:03 GMT
Tripp Halstead's parents say he's scheduled to go home on Friday.
Tripp Halstead's parents say he could be headed home soon. The 2-year-old Winder boy has gone from the brink of death to thriving after suffering traumatic brain injury when a tree limb fell on him at his day care in late October last year.
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