Living with a tracheostomy can be a major adjustment for a caregiver. It brings with it a lot of accommodating in the school system for your child as well as helping your child learn and adjust to school life. In a study done in 2012, several school-age children were interviewed to discuss and learn about their experiences living with a tracheostomy. The children stated things like, “I’m the only one,” and “friends are helpful,” and “just tell them.”
One 11 year old girl stated that learning more about her tracheostomy and being able to teach others about it helped her to facilitate interactions with children at school. She states, “…you’re just like a regular kid but you have a trach and that’s how you breathe and blow your nose. That’s how you live.” Her experience was that talking with other children about her tracheostomy helped her to feel more comfortable.
Friends were a common theme in the study. Children felt that help from friends at school was very important. One little boy, age 7, described an instance in which he needed help from a friend to replace his speaking valve. There are simple acts of kindness that the children described that the children were very impressed by.
Friends also offered a significant source of companionship. They stated that their friends were very valuable and helped them significantly.
The children also expressed that they did not know any other children with a tracheostomy. However, the children expressed that they felt less isolated when other children know about their tracheostomy.
How this can help you:
- The study recommended that children stay connected with other children their age to promote connectedness. When in the hospital, nurse practitioners recommend staying connected with friends through the telephone via texting, calling or emailing.
- Nurse practitioners may be helpful in connecting other children with tracheostomies to foster support systems for children.
- Encouraging children to talk to others about their trach and promote friendships can help children feel connected.
For more stories about children with tracheostomies, see the following stories:
One 11 year old girl stated that learning more about her tracheostomy and being able to teach others about it helped her to facilitate interactions with children at school. She states, “…you’re just like a regular kid but you have a trach and that’s how you breathe and blow your nose. That’s how you live.” Her experience was that talking with other children about her tracheostomy helped her to feel more comfortable.
Friends were a common theme in the study. Children felt that help from friends at school was very important. One little boy, age 7, described an instance in which he needed help from a friend to replace his speaking valve. There are simple acts of kindness that the children described that the children were very impressed by.
Friends also offered a significant source of companionship. They stated that their friends were very valuable and helped them significantly.
The children also expressed that they did not know any other children with a tracheostomy. However, the children expressed that they felt less isolated when other children know about their tracheostomy.
How this can help you:
- The study recommended that children stay connected with other children their age to promote connectedness. When in the hospital, nurse practitioners recommend staying connected with friends through the telephone via texting, calling or emailing.
- Nurse practitioners may be helpful in connecting other children with tracheostomies to foster support systems for children.
- Encouraging children to talk to others about their trach and promote friendships can help children feel connected.
For more stories about children with tracheostomies, see the following stories: