Jaclyn Key
TrachKid Profile
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Jaclyn Ruth Key was born on July 7, 1984 to Rita and Jerry Key and their 2 year old daughter. She was a healthy child until she stopped breathing after my mom and dad took me home. It happened so many times, they put an tube down my throat which damaged her right vocal chord from all of the scar tissue and it is now collapsed. She and her mom went up to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1989 just for checkups with her mom and then stepfather Steve Ellis, her mother was pregnant with another little girl.One night in 1991- it was her father's weekend (Jerry - Father's Day) when her trach came out while she sleeping. The trach hole was still open and they tried to get it in but it was a blessing from God that she doesn't have it.Jaclyn had to take speech therapy since she could not talk with the trach-- she had it for 6 years and still can not enunicate her "R's" but she is talking just fine. She is 18 years old and is an blessing from God to everyone she meets. She is in her school's drama department and loves talking on AOL to other ppl with disabilities.
Update, August 2004: I will be going through the process of jaw distraction. My Ear, Nose & throat doctor at Cincinnati's Children's Hospital. We found out about it last year (her junior year) but did not schedule a consultation appointment because, I did NOT want to miss her Senior Year. I'm an alumni of Covenant Christian Academy 2004 (http://covenant-cougars.org).
For my 20th birthday I saw my favorite band Hanson at Atlanta's Tabernacle. It was the best birthday present. I was dancing and singing along with the lyrics :) it was an euphoric experience.
Update August 2005: Just wanted to tell you that I survived the jaw distraction back in October. The first surgery Dr. Gordon (Cincinnati Children's) installed distractors and moved the top jaw forward about 15 cm. After the first surgery, my body was fine until my body went into septic shock syndrome. I chose to undergo a drug induced coma. I remember waking up and thinking, "I came out of surgery." I survived the screwing of the distractors three times daily. It was worth the pain because, I am sleeping better and breathing better. You can definitely see it in my eyes that I am getting better sleep. As the saying goes, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." This is definitely true. I will be living down in Warm Springs in a dormitory at the Roosevelt Rehab for vocational rehab. I am thinking of becoming a Nurse's Aide. I always felt safe in the hospital. FDR was an genius of opening Roosevelt Rehab for people who are mildly disabled.
God Bless,
Jackie
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Hello Heather
I only had my trach up until I was six years old but I am glad my page inspired you and your son.
My child has a trach
I enjoyed your story. It is GREAT to read one with a Happy Ending! We also treat at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. My son is enrolled in school this year but it has been very difficult to work out the details due to his trach. I would love to hear some advice or obsticles that you have encountered along the way. Please e-mail me at hhammond@mikrotec.com
Heather Hammond
Floyd County, Kentucky