Micah’s Story
After spending nearly 10 months in the NICU and months living apart as a family, Micah finally came home. Thanks to generous donors, The Little Trachs Foundation provided a specialized medical wagon that made appointments easier. This gift gave the family the freedom to enjoy simple moments together again.
August’s Story
Since bringing August home, sleep has come in shifts, date nights have disappeared, and every alarm could mean an emergency. Read how one family’s unwavering love carries them through each day—and why a little respite support meant so much.
Giovanni’s Story
Born with a rare genetic condition, an underdeveloped lung, and severe airway collapse, Giovanni has overcome incredible odds. Read more how he has overcome the odds. His family’s burden has been lightened by donor support.
Gabriel’s Story
Gabriel spent the first 573 days of his life in the hospital before finally coming home. As a single mom without access to home nursing, Morgan has never stopped fighting for her son. Read how one family’s resilience carried them through every challenge.
Mariana’s Story
When the financial strain of caring for a medically complex child threatened their family’s housing stability, Natalia’s greatest priority remained the same: providing a safe home where Mariana could receive the care she needs.
Laurel’s Story
Despite multiple heart surgeries, a trach, a ventilator, and paralysis from the waist down, Laurel’s social worker describes her as “the sweetest, happiest kid.” Read how her family’s unwavering love helps her thrive.
Elijah’s Story
When Stephanie welcomed two-day-old Elijah into her family, his medical needs weren’t a reason to say no—they were a reason to step in. Read how one foster family’s love and commitment continue to give Elijah the care he needs.
Jalayna’s Story
Born prematurely with severe lung disease, Jalayna spent years relying on a tracheostomy before reaching the milestone of decannulation. Read how she continues to grow stronger through therapy, determination, and the support of her family.
Delilah’s Story
Delilah’s mom says: “The hardest part of our journey has probably been learning how to navigate a world that isn’t always built for families like ours. Delilah, a sweet three-year-old, has complex medical needs, and so much of our life revolves around appointments, therapies, equipment, medications, and making sure she is safe and comfortable.”
Demri’s Story
Meet Demri, a nine-month-old from Minnesota who was born with bilateral vocal cord paralysis, making it incredibly difficult for her to breathe and grow. After other treatments were unsuccessful, Demri received a trach and G-tube. Her parents, Kayla and her husband, took months away from work to care for Demri while also raising their two other young children. Between long trips to the hospital, time away from work, and several unexpected home expenses, the family needed some help getting back on their feet.
Pavle’s Story
Born at just 27 weeks, sweet Pavle has faced incredible medical challenges in his first year of life. He has a tracheostomy, relies on a ventilator to breathe, and requires care from multiple specialists.
Kaden’s Story
Meet Kayden, the cutest two-year-old from Texas. He was born prematurely at 32 weeks, and has faced a complicated medical journey that has included a trach, multiple surgeries, respiratory challenges, and hospital stays.
Xiana’s Story
Born at 22 weeks and weighing only 14 ounces, Xiana spent the first 376 days of her life in the NICU. Today, she is finally home, but still relies on a trach and ventilator and needs around-the-clock care. Her mom, Priscilla, lost her job while spending countless days at the hospital learning how to care for Xiana. Now a single mom of four, she’s also a full-time nursing student with just 10 months left until earning her LPN license.
Mia’s Story
At just three months old, Mia received her trach after a birth injury affected her ability to breathe on her own. Now seven, she continues to defy expectations with her joyful spirit and love for life. In her mom Ambere’s words, here is Mia’s story.
Hudson’s Story
Meet Hudson, a happy three-year-old from Wisconsin who has had a trach since he was just two months old. Born with spina bifida myelomeningocele, Hudson is nonverbal, tube-fed, and has limited mobility—but as his mom Kara says, “Despite his daily challenges, he is the happiest toddler!”
Jiana’s Story
Meet Jiana, a five-year-old from Texas who was born with spina bifida and has a trach, G-button, VP shunt, and ventilator. Her mom, Estela, is a single mom of two and has become Jiana’s full-time caregiver because consistent home nursing hasn’t been available. Unable to work outside the home, Estela reached out to Little Trachs for help with everyday expenses.
Atarah’s Story
Born prematurely, Atarah spent 335 days in the NICU before finally coming home to her family. Now 21 months old, she has a trach and ventilator, Cri Du Chat syndrome, and other complex medical needs. Atarah is part of a busy family of seven. Between medical appointments, caring for their children, and the rising costs of everyday life, the family reached out to Little Trachs for some extra support.
Sofia’s Story
Meet Sofia, a sweet and loving eight-year-old who has spent much of her life fighting to breathe. Born with spina bifida and severe restrictive lung disease, Sofia eventually needed a tracheostomy and now relies on a ventilator and supplemental oxygen. Her mom, Roxana, says the trach changed so much for Sofia: “She’s doing amazing after she got the tracheostomy. She’s in homeschool and living a normal life.” Little Trachs was grateful to support Sofia’s family with a generator to help keep her lifesaving respiratory equipment running when the power goes out.
Semyre’s Story
Semyre has spent his entire first year of life in the hospital. Now one year old, he has a trach, depends on a ventilator, and has faced many moments when his parents feared they might lose him. His mom, Kiana, stepped away from work to stay by his side, advocate for him, and learn the specialized care he will need at home. After a year in the hospital, their family is finally preparing for Semyre’s discharge. Little Trachs was grateful to support Semyre’s family as they prepare to bring their little boy home. When Kiana learned they would receive help, she shared: “Thank you Jesus!!! Thank you so much. Yes, this would be such a help!”
Avery’s Story
Meet Avery, a one-year-old from Pennsylvania who is currently in the hospital. Born prematurely at 34 weeks, Avery has Trisomy 22, a complex heart condition, a trach, ventilator, and G-tube, along with other medical needs. His mom, Keyanna, is an RN and mom of three, balancing per diem work, caring for Avery’s two siblings, and traveling to be by Avery’s side while he continues to receive care. With inconsistent work hours and growing everyday expenses, Keyanna reached out to Little Trachs for some extra help. We were grateful to support Avery’s family and give his mom one less financial worry during an incredibly stressful time.
Naomi’s Story
On the same day Aubrey Hartman submitted her novel about a girl finding her voice, she gave birth to her daughter Naomi — who was born with paralyzed vocal cords. In this personal reflection, Aubrey shares how navigating Naomi’s diagnosis changed the way she understands motherhood, fear, and what it truly means to listen.
Kyra’s Story
When Rebecca Lewis gave birth to her daughter Kyra at just 27 weeks, her world changed overnight. In her story, she shares the realities of raising a medically complex child—from months in the NICU to becoming a full-time caregiver—and the faith and community that helped her keep going through it all.
Connor’s Story
After being born at just 24 weeks and spending 165 days in the NICU, Connor has faced more challenges than most families could imagine. In this story, his mother Brittanie shares the reality of caring for a trach- and ventilator-dependent child whose joy and resilience continue to inspire their family every day.
Xena’s Story
What began as a healthy pregnancy changed in seconds when Xena was born unable to breathe. Sally Straumfjord shares the reality of spending 10 months in the ICU, fighting to be heard as a parent advocate, and navigating life caring for a medically complex child whose strength and joy continue to inspire everyone around her.
Voices of our Families
Behind Every Tracheostomy is a Family Living on High Alert
More than 50,000 children in the United States are living with a tracheostomy. These are the voices of families living it every day.
The Nights no one sees
“You are on life-or-death high alert 100% of the time.”
“I can’t just sleep when the baby sleeps.”
“How quickly everything can change within hours is terrifying.”
The Nursing & Respite Crisis
“Our biggest problem is finding nursing.”
“I am my child’s primary caregiver and home health nurse. There is no respite.”
“Just to leave the house, we need a mini hospital in our car.”
The Invisible Full-Time Job
“It’s a 24-hour job on top of everything else.”
“Managing insurance, supplies, therapies, approvals, appeals — it’s overwhelming.”
“Everything is a battle.”
The Emotional Toll
“It’s exhausting. I struggle with PTSD and insomnia.”
“It’s isolating. So isolating.”
“It’s harder than anyone can imagine.”
What We Wish you Knew
“It’s not contagious.”
“It’s okay to still be part of our lives.”
“We are not just medical parents — we are just parents.”
And still they perservere
“It’s hard, delicate work — but worth it.”
“It’s magical and beautiful.”
“We would do anything for our child.”
We are here to listen
Every trach journey is different — but no family should feel alone in it. By sharing your story, you can help other parents feel seen and supported during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
