Shaq video message for teen in hospital after Henry County tornado

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — Less than a week after an EF-2 tornado ripped a teen from the second floor of his family’s home in Locust Grove, he is awake, talking — and took his first step with the help of a physical therapy team at Grady Hospital.

Malachi Chaney remains in the Intensive Care Unit but his dad, Tray Chaney, said his son is now considered stable and making “remarkable progress.”

“He still doesn’t even know how he was hurt,” said Tray Chaney, who’s been at his son’s bedside along with his wife since being released from the hospital himself. “But, he stood toe to toe with a tornado — and survived.”

RELATED: ‘The Wire’ actor says his son spent his 19th birthday recovering in ICU after EF-2 tornado

The father and son were inside their home on Fresh Laurel Lane when the EF-2 tornado struck on May 29. The National Weather Service said wind speeds hit 135mph. The storm leveled the family’s house, throwing Malachi from the second floor and into a nearby wooded area, where neighbors later found him. 

Tray Chaney, an actor best known for his role on HBO’s The Wire, said they were celebrating the show’s 23rd anniversary on Thursday, just hours before the tornado hit.

“I’m in the movie business, but I lived through some reality that you see in movies,” Tray Chaney said.

RELATED: Actor’s son recovering after being critically hurt in Henry County tornado

On Sunday, Malachi Chaney celebrated his 19th birthday in the ICU. His family gathered around his hospital bed to show him love, not knowing a surprise was coming the next day.

On Monday afternoon, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal recorded a video message for Malachi Chaney.

“Malachi, this is your Uncle Shaq,” the NBA Hall-of-Famer said. “Just want to tell you to hang in there brother. When you get out of that hospital, make sure you do your rehab. We’re going to come see you, brother.”

“It just means a lot,” Tray Chaney said after watching the video. “It means a lot to my family.”

While the family lost everything in the storm, one special item found its way back to them. 

Days after the storm, someone found Malachi’s high school diploma — nearly 11 miles away from the Chaney home.

The family said they’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the Laurel Creek neighbors who rushed in after the storm — pulling Tray Chaney from the rubble, calling his wife, and ultimately finding Malachi Chaney in a nearby field.

“That’s the angels. That’s God…,” Tray Chaney explained.

Now, as the long road to recovery begins, the Chaneys said they’re holding onto what matters most — and to the people who helped them survive.