MADISON, Wis. -- Liliana Mead is a 14-month-old child striving to overcome injuries that she suffered as a victim of shaken baby syndrome.

VIDEO: Watch The Report | SLIDESHOW: See Photos Of Liliana Mead

Health officials said that it's estimated one in five victims of shaken baby syndrome will die, but four out of five survive -- many with life-long disabilities.

The toddler is being cared for fulltime by her grandparents and legal guardians, Randy and Sherrie Mead, of Rockford. They said that they hope what happened to her won't happen to another child, WISC-TV reported.

Liliana amazed doctors a year ago by surviving the abusive head trauma inflicted by her mother.

But as her doctors and grandparents know all too well, surviving Shaken Baby Syndrome can be just the beginning.

"There's not a way to put into words exactly what we've gone through and what she's gone through and the emotions that the whole family (has) gone through," said Randy Mead, Liliana's grandfather and legal guardian.

The Meads and Liliana have met with Dr. Barbara Knox, director of American Family Children's Hospital Child Protection Program. Last May, Knox and the University of Hospital initially treated Liliana's head trauma.

"You know, the birth-to-3 period is so critical for overall development," said Knox. "And given the fact that she already has a head injury, we want to make sure we are harnessing any and every tool possible for her.

Now, the Meads are back to get Liliana tested and learn her future.

"We don't know (what) tomorrow is going to hold for her," said Randy Mead. "All we know is that we're going to give her the best today that she can get."

The Meads and Liliana have become inseparable ever since they got a phone call that the baby was in the emergency room and that her mother had put her there. In March, the Meads' daughter-in-law was sentenced to 14 years in prison for lifting then-7-week-old, 4-pound baby high above her head and slamming her down full-force onto a bed.

The resulting brain injuries at first were mysterious and then, catastrophic, WISC-TV reported.

"We went to the hospital. They arranged for (a) priest to come in and do a baptism on her. And then, they brought her into the room and it's an image we'll never be able to get out of our heads," said Randy Mead.

Randy Mead said that her injuries were traumatic.

"Her head, her brain was so swollen that her soft spot was sticking up. Her eyes were rolling forward. And she was having a seizure," he said. "And it's just too much for me to bear. I had to walk out of the room."

Sherrie Mead said she was shocked by what happened.

"(I) never imagined my daughter-in-law -- we loved her, loved her like our own daughter. I'd never thought she'd be capable of this -- never in a million years," said Sherrie Mead.

Liliana has a twin brother and his name is Parker. He wasn't abused. For the mother's sentencing, the Meads videotaped the two together so the court could see the obvious difference in development -- both physically and cognitively.

The Meads said that dealing with Liliana's disabilities and the person who created them is a constant struggle.

"You love 'em but you hate 'em. You know it's that tug-of-war that you're playing," said Sherrie Mead.

"That was really hard to testify about what it's like, but also realizing that it was somebody you really cared about that made this happen, and so much has happened," said Randy Mead.

Previous testing has already determined Liliana has very little vision. Though her eyes are healthy, damage to her brain means she can't process sight. She seems to catch only a sliver of light and dark on one side, they said.

But, back in Madison, the Meads' top concerns now are whether Liliana is having new seizures and what her future holds.

The Meads' desperately want their granddaughter to go to college and get married, but they know the challenges she faces.

"Realistically, I think if she can just function on her own … with some assistance, but be able to maintain herself, I think that would be a blessing to get that far," said Randy Mead.

"I just hope she grows up and has a life, any life," said Sherrie Mead.

The couple said that they plan on adopting Liliana. Their now-single son has three other healthy children to care for and supports the adoption.

There's no one database detailing the number of shaken baby syndrome victims, but some experts estimate 600 to 1,400 children suffer abusive head trauma every year. Studies said that half of them will be left with impairments in motor/cognitive abilities, language, vision and behavior, WISC-TV reported.

Shaken baby syndrome is preventable. Parents or guardians under stress and in need of support are encouraged to seek help. They said if caretakers feel like they will lose it, let a child cry and step outside the room for a moment if the child is safe. They suggest calling a friend, relative or pediatrician for help.

The Parental Stress Center is an area help line is staffed from 6 a.m. to midnight everyday. They can be reached at 608-241-2221..

Note: This the first of a two-part series on Liliana Mead and her family's struggles.