Do you ever feel alone and overwhelmed like no one understands what you are going through? In this episode of the Parenting with Confidence podcast, host Theresa Alexander Inman interviews Vickie Rubin, an award-winning author and passionate advocate for families of children with additional needs. Vickie shares profound insights from her memoir, 'Raising Jess: A Story of Hope,' detailing her experiences raising her daughter Jessica, who was born with a rare chromosome abnormality. The discussion covers the transformation of family life after such a diagnosis, the unique challenges and joys of raising a differently-abled child, and the importance of inclusion and community support. Vickie emphasizes maintaining hope, embracing a changed life, and recognizing the potential for continuous learning and growth in children with additional needs. This heartfelt conversation aims to inspire and educate listeners on the power of resilience, love, and acceptance.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:10 Vickie Rubin's Background and Achievements
01:33 Discussing the Book: Raising Jess, A Story of Hope
02:50 Family Dynamics and Sibling Experiences
05:47 Choosing Hope and Optimism
07:45 Advice for Families with New Diagnoses
14:39 Challenges and Public Perception
23:23 The Importance of Inclusion
24:26 Jessica's Love for Temple
26:04 Acceptance and Language
27:19 Navigating Public Perception
34:17 Jessica's Bat Mitzvah
37:55 Balancing Attention Among Siblings
41:10 Careers Inspired by Personal Experience
43:32 Embracing a Changed Life
46:37 Conclusion and Book Information
About Vickie Rubin ( in her words)
I am an Award-winning author, parent of a child with a rare chromosome deletion, and an expert on working with families with children and adults receiving special services. I have parental and professional experience. Before writing Raising Jess A Story of Hope, my career focused on presentations for families and professionals and included keynote addresses. Our personal story of raising our daughter with a rare chromosome deletion has something that will resonate with numerous audiences (families, teachers, therapists, medical professionals, siblings, and grandparents). Our story is told with heart, humor, and honesty.
Learn more from Vickie at:https://vickierubin.com/raising-jess-a-story-of-hope/
About Theresa
A wife and a mother to two children and grandmother, Theresa Alexander Inman is a Parenting Coach, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Infant Toddler Development Specialist. She was introduced to the field of behavior analysis in 2007 after working in many capacities in the juvenile justice system.
Her goal is to improve the lives of children and families by helping them strategize child develop skills to prevent or reduce the effects of possible delays while having fun! She also served as a panelist on the first annual Autism World Summit.
Theresa is also an author, having published “How Can I Help My Child Communicate?” in 2022.
Connect with Theresa today!
• Instagram | Theresa Inman
• LinkedIn | Theresa Inman
• BabyBoomer.org | Theresa Inman
• YouTube | Parenting with Confidence
• Tiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@parentcoachtheresa
• Spotify via Anchor.fm | Parenting with Confidence
Website: https://www.theresaalexanderinman.com/
About Parenting with Confidence
Parenting with Confidence with Theresa Alexander Inman presents you with answers if you are a tired and frustrated parent with a child diagnosed with a developmental delay. We aim to lift you up from the pressure of doing it right and provide you with the resources to set you and your child up for success!
Please share, comment, rate, and download! Thank you! Blessings! Theresa
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