We empower and uplift families of children with tracheostomies by providing compassionate guidance through every stage of their journey.
We do this through building a supportive community of shared experience, and advocating for the needs of our families with community partners.
A tracheostomy is a medical device used when the best way for a person to breathe is through a controlled airway right below their neck. About 4,800 pediatric tracheostomies are performed annually in the U.S. About a third of these are infants.
Each of our stories is unique, but they have one thing in common: our children need a trach to breathe. This news can be devastating, but there is hope.
No one can truly understand the feeling of being the only one trained to care for your child’s medical needs. We get it and we’ve realized we need each other.
Sometimes people go for years feeling there’s no way to live a normal life. But there is hope and we have proof things get better.
We’re often not provided with the best resources and are rarely ever given the emotional support we need. Let us carry the burden with you.
Chattanooga is full of amazing people and places, your family deserves to experience it too!
From helping grapple with the gravity of this life changing surgery to meeting with families in the hospital to giving gift bags on trach surgery day our goal is to provide hope and support.
Whether it’s a mom’s happy hour or a family meet-up, we are walking this journey together so that we are not alone
We’re fighting for families in the community, from creating more trach-friendly opportunities to helping make the healthcare system more understanding.
“Chattanooga Trach Families has given me support, love, and courage when I felt depleted. This group reminds me that I am not alone in this journey. They continue to be a source of knowledge and comfort for me!”
— Jessica
“The Chattanooga trach families group has really provided a level of support that only those “in it” can conceit. Having an active community to ask questions to and of has been awesome and such a relief. I am thankful of the openness everyone shares. When I look back on our decision to move forward with a trach it was daunting – it wasn’t easy. I wanted all the research all the studies BUT at the same time the Chattanooga Trach families 5k was happening and each day an inspiring story was shared and it relieved me knowing the right decision was made for our daughter. Admins are so gracious with their time and energy. Even visiting us during our hospital stay – dropping snacks or gift cards. When we meet anyone during outpatient visits it’s nice to have a friend that actually gets it and has had first hand experiences similar to yours. Many of the providers directed us to the group and I am so glad they did! Thank you from the Crichfield Family”
If you are a trach family, you can also join our private facebook support group
We’ll send you resources, events and stories from within the community.
Connect with other families and parents at one of our events. We’d love to meet you!
Get connected to the growing community of families that are resilient and full of hope in this trach journey.
Many kids with trachs still laugh, play, go to school, and even swim (with the right precautions, of course!). They’re little warriors with big lungs and even bigger hearts!
Your generous donations help us reach more families, create more resources and tell the stories of families who are finding joy, despite the obstacles in their life.
Chattanooga Trach Families began with a simple question in a hospital room in the spring of 2023: “Are there any other families like ours?” That question led Laura-Scott and Daniel, faced with the overwhelming news that their daughter Kyra needed a tracheostomy, to ask Erlanger Hospital if there were other families to talk to. With the help of a thoughtful nurse, they were introduced to another family navigating the same journey—and a community was born.
What started as texts between moms during surgeries, hospital stays, and random medical hurdles began to grow into something much bigger. A chance meeting in a hospital elevator led to a Facebook support group, created so no parent would have to feel alone when hearing the words, “Your child needs a trach.” That small group of families grew quickly, each one eager to connect, share, and build a life for their children that’s not only full of medical equipment—but also full of joy.
Today, we have connected with over 50 families, making sure no one walks this journey alone. Whether it’s through hospital visits, community events, or just being a listening ear, we’re here to lift each other up. We’re proud to be building a community where families feel understood, connected, and filled with hope.
Laura-Scott became a trach mom in March 2023 when she found out that her 6 month old, Kyra, needed a trach to survive. Shocked and overwhelmed, she set out to find other families to go through this journey together, and an initial connection with one family turned into a non-profit connected to over 50. Her passion is to walk through this journey with families, taking time to grieve this diagnosis and isolating condition while simultaneously finding new ways to create a life full of meaning and joy in the middle of the unimaginable.
Her background in sales, marketing, and speaking Spanish helps her connect her passion with people to the vision of the non-profit.
Autumn is the proud mom of Jenna, who was born at just 26 weeks and 4 days following a high-risk pregnancy. Due to her extreme prematurity, Jenna relied on a ventilator for life-sustaining support from the start. After nearly four months in the NICU, doctors determined that a tracheostomy was necessary due to severe tracheomalacia. For Autumn and her husband Josh, a trach was the only way they could finally bring their daughter home.
One day, while walking to the Children’s Hospital, Autumn crossed paths with Laura Scott in a parking garage. A simple elevator chat turned into a life-changing moment—Autumn shared a small part of Jenna’s story, not realizing that Laura Scott’s daughter, Kyra, was nearby with a trach and vent of her own. That conversation sparked a friendship and support system that would become foundational for Autumn’s journey.
Adair serves as the treasurer for Chattanooga Trach Families, bringing both personal passion and professional experience to the organization. A Tennessee native and proud mom to three energetic young boys (ages 6, 4, and 1), Adair and her family chose to plant roots in Chattanooga after years of relocating across the country for medical training. With a background as a pediatric occupational therapist, Adair has worked in public schools, home health, and outpatient settings—experiences that deepened her understanding of families navigating complex medical needs. While currently focused on raising her young children, she felt called to give back locally and found a meaningful connection with Chattanooga Trach Families’ mission of supporting caregivers and children living with tracheostomies.
In her role as treasurer, Adair brings dedication and a heart for service. Outside of her volunteer work, she enjoys hiking the Appalachian trails with her family and their dog, discovering new local restaurants, and exploring all that Chattanooga has to offer.
