Tranter Banter

Tripp Halstead was critically injured on October 29 when high winds snapped a large tree limb. The limb landed on two year old Tripp’s head.  Initially Tripp underwent an emergency three and one-half hour surgery to remove a bone to ease swelling of the brain at Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.  The family was told the next 72 hours would be critical.

In a move of support, family members created the Tripp Halstead Update Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TrippHalsteadUpdates.  When I learned of this page, there were a mere 2,000 likes.  Today the page will pass the 40,000 mark.  Many people are posting comments and sharing life experiences and simply offering their prayers and support for the young family.  Several times a day family members post pictures or updates on how Tripp is doing and reminding us all of how fragile life is.  It’s a very moving and emotional experience for many of us.

Tripp’s favorite movie is Cars and his favorite toy is a Lightening McQueen car.  Yesterday the family reached out asking that if anyone knew Owen Wilson, the voice of Lightening McQueen, wondering if it would be possible to get a voice message for Tripp.  Sure enough, after both Twitter and Facebook posts, Owen Wilson (the voice of Lightening McQueen) took time from his busy schedule to leave a voicemail for little Tripp. 

As if that isn’t enough, Larry the Cable Guy, the voice of Tow Mater, left encouraging words too. 

Today Tripp is in critical but stable condition.  His parents are constantly at his bedside offering words of encouragement and support, believing that Tripp hears everything.  While the long-term prognosis is not known, every little movement offers hope.   The family posts several times a day with updates and constantly keeps folks involved in this remarkable child’s progress.

About two hours ago little Tripp’s family received the news from the doctors that they expect Tripp to survive.  Over 24,000 people so far have “liked” this status update.

So as this little boys lies fighting for his life, holding one of his Lightening McQueen’s toys, maybe we can each stop today and hold him in a moment of thought or prayer.   Feel free to check out and like the Facebook page with the link that I gave above.

**When I wrote the draft of this blog this morning, there were a little less than 40,000 likes to Tripp’s page.  As of the posting of this blog, there are now over 43,000 likes.