Sometimes kids have a health condition that makes it difficult to breathe through the nose or mouth. When this happens, surgeons may perform a procedure called a tracheostomy, or "trach." During a tracheostomy, a plastic tube is surgically placed into the trachea, or windpipe. The tube keeps the pathway open for air to reach the lungs. Sometimes the tube is attached to a ventilator to help kids breathe.

Here, three parents share their tips and experiences on raising a child with a tracheostomy.

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