Raising Jess: A Story of Hope

by Vickie Rubin

Overview

2022 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in Non-Fiction - Memoir Genre

Award-Winning Memoir

“Courageously exploratory, making for a truly enlightening read." (Kirkus Reviews)

Raising Jess is the powerful story of one family’s survival when faced with adversity. Written with compassion, honesty, and humor, it tells of a family changed forever by the birth of a child with a rare chromosome deletion and their courageous decision to choose hope.

Facing the challenges of caring for her daughter, marriage struggles, and the question of having more children, Vickie Rubin gives a glimpse into the world of her family and transformation while Raising Jess. This beautiful, gripping memoir will delight and leave you wanting more.

"This is an inspiring story of tragedy and triumph, brilliantly and powerfully told. I highly recommend it." - Ashley Adams, Author

“This is a triumphant tale.” - Cathy Shields, Author"

"A heartwarming, compassionate story. This story will bring tears to the eyes of readers as they are educated and enraptured by one family’s journey with a child with special needs.” (5-Star Review by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite)

“Couldn’t put it down! Raising Jess is an amazing book! Vickie Rubin’s writing is masterful! Highly recommend.” - Mike Steklof, Ed. D.

“Beautiful Insightful Narrative That Resonates Deeply. I feel enlightened, inspired, hopeful and transformed by Vickie's story.” - Janet G.

“Beautifully written and a must-read for anyone that knows someone with disabilities or wants to know a family’s perspective.” - Jill G. 

“I couldn’t put it down. Get a copy of this book—so pure, raw, and beautiful.” - Ashleigh Bussinger 

“Vickie reveals her Soul to the reader. A Must-Read for All” - Lori N.

Vickie Schlanger Rubin, M.S Ed., three-time award-winning author, contributes essays to Newsweek, Buffalo News Opinion, and blogs worldwide. Vickie is an experienced public speaker and passionate advocate for families of children with disabilities. Her blog, Vickie's Views (www.vickierubin.com), gives a heartwarming and humorous view of everyday life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662407420
Publisher:	Page Publishing, Inc.
Publication date:	08/02/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	912,097
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Our Esther Bunny 9

Chapter 2 Hypochondria, OCD, or Mother's Intuition? 19

Chapter 3 It Takes a Village 28

Chapter 4 Reality Sets In 42

Chapter 5 We Did Everything-it Just Took Longer 51

Chapter 6 Panic and Milestones and Tears-Oh My! 64

Chapter 7 Breaking the Code 72

Chapter 8 It Wasn't as Easy as It Looked 80

Chapter 9 Seizures Suck! 91

Chapter 10 A New Direction 97

Chapter 11 Inclusion 107

Chapter 12 Jessica's Bat Mitzvah 116

Chapter 13 The R-Word 127

Chapter 14 Letting Go 134

Chapter 15 Getting by with a Little Help from My Friends 145

Chapter 16 The Gift of Grandparents 158

Chapter 17 She's My Sister 175

Chapter 18 The Outlaws 194

Chapter 19 Diagnosis: Does It Matter? 204

Chapter 20 You Changed My Life 213

Epilogue 221

Postscript 229

Acknowledgments 233

Editorial Reviews

2022-02-18
A mother describes raising a child with special needs in this debut memoir.

On April 11, 1982, on Easter Sunday in Buffalo, New York, Rubin gave birth to her daughter, Jess, while suffering from chicken pox herself. She was forced to isolate from her newborn child until her illness had passed. At first, pediatricians assured Rubin and her husband, Mitch, that their daughter was developing normally, but the author notes that Jess had “unusual facial features and other anomalies.” Jess was later found to have multiple developmental disabilities resulting from a chromosomal disorder, although Rubin struggled for years to receive an accurate diagnosis. The author describes her initial drive to understand and “fix” Jess’ condition; she records key moments, such as her daughter’s bat mitzvah and her entry into the special education process. Rubin also relates her own career path, which led to her becoming the director of the Early Childhood Direction Center at Buffalo Children’s Hospital in 1998. The memoir concludes with Rubin and her husband visiting Jess, now in her 30s, in her group-home community during the Covid-19 pandemic and the heartache they felt when they had to distance from their daughter. Rubin is a forthright author who addresses topics that other parents of children with multiple disabilities will find stimulating, as when she explores the significance of getting Jess’ diagnosis: “The revelation did not change therapies or even medical care, but it gave a name and identity to the various symptoms and beauty that describe Jessica.” The author’s approach is also courageously exploratory, as when she investigates how Jess’ siblings were shaped by growing up with her. Throughout, Rubin shares a wide range of material, including family photographs and even the invitation to Jess’ bat mitzvah. Some readers may feel that some of this is unnecessary and makes for an overly cluttered memoir, but others will think it makes Jess’ story feel all the more personal. Overall, Rubin writes with clarity and thoughtful introspection, making for a truly enlightening read.

A frank, perceptive, and insightful remembrance.

Kirkus Reviews