Blogs

Raising Jess: A Story of Hope 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 special needs and their courageous decision to choose hope. The sibling and grandparent experiences are beautifully told through interviews.

"I was twenty-four years old and about to deliver my first child. Oh, and I also had the chickenpox." So begins the story of a first-time mom who learns her infant daughter has severe, multiple disabilities. 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.

"Rubin writes with clarity and thoughtful introspection, making for a truly enlightening read," says Kirkus Review. 

Vickie writes the blog Vickie’s Views, a humorous, inspiring commentary about various topics, including raising a child with a disability, observations of everyday life, family, marriage, and navigating the world of COVID-19.

She is the former director of the Early Childhood Direction Center for Oishei Children’s Hospital, Kaleida Health. A resident of Western New York, Vickie and her husband Mitch have three children, three grandchildren and two very active dogs.