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Stories of resistance and empowerment
Our Healing Bells blog is a space for voices that resist, transform, and uplift. Through healing arts, musical storytelling, and co-creation, we amplify the strength of survivors of all genders; of feminists, womxn, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
Rooted in compassion and interdependence, each story invites empathy, courage, and reflection. From forced migration to gender-based violence, our contributors transform silence into expression, complicity into resistance, and trauma into empowerment. Join a global community grounded in social justice, creativity, and collective healing.
Stay tuned for new posts every Tuesday!
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Back to School! Compose for Change: Healing Arts class
At Healing Bells we believe education and the arts can reset, heal, and transform. Our new course, Compose for Change: Healing Arts, invites participants to engage with urgent social issues through creativity, research, and trauma-informed practice. From storytelling to dance, from painting to poetry, art becomes activism and care. Together we nurture belonging, justice, and resilience while building a supportive global community.
Pamela Ruiter -Feenstra
Sep 24 min read
My University of Michigan wrestling story, Part Two: Redemption
This blog entry by Tad DeLuca is Part Two of a series. Please read his August 19 entry first for context. From October of 2019 until...
Tad de Luca
Aug 266 min read
My University of Michigan wrestling story: how a good thing went horribly wrong
Tad DeLuca, a University of Michigan wrestler, endured years of abuse by team doctor Robert E. Anderson, ignored and mocked by his coach. In 2018, inspired by survivors of Larry Nassar, he came forward again—this time, police found 50 others with the same story. After 45 years of disbelief, Tad finally found the redemption of being believed. His journey is one of resilience, justice, and reclaiming his voice.
Tad de Luca
Aug 197 min read
Everyone deserves to be believed; Ni une más provides a healing community
In resonant tones we speak, “Oh believe her… she’d still be alive if you had listened.” Ni une más becomes our vow, our song against silence. This musical tribute calls us to witness, to hold survivors—with art as our compass, healing as our shared path. From Andrea’s plea to the gymnasts’ courage, from Dr. Elizabeth’s WomanSafeHealth to principles of listening, protection, and respect; this is trauma-informed care, justice, and collective belonging. We rise together.
Pamela Ruiter -Feenstra
Aug 133 min read
Five Stages of Healing from Trauma
"This doesn’t happen at Michigan!" is the ironic start to revealing a pattern of systemic abuse. This blog explores the 5 stages of healing from trauma: shame, blame, name, tame, and reclaim. Through the arts and survivor community, victims find strength to externalize pain, challenge gaslighting, and reclaim their identity. Learn how embodied storytelling creates space for justice, validation, and deep transformation.
Pamela Ruiter -Feenstra
Aug 55 min read
The Wound is Where the Light Can Enter: Finding Pockets of Joy in the Midst of Grief
Grief carries a heavy weight, especially when tied to the beauty of everyday life. In this tribute to Gaby Jaime, I reflect on our quiet Sunday traditions and the deep bond we built over time. Through Dosis de Alegría, a WhatsApp group created to share joyful moments during her final months, I discovered that even in the deepest sorrow, small joys can guide us back to hope and connection.
Yurani Cubillos
Jul 294 min read
Why lean into trauma? Ni une más.
Lew Towler, born July 21, 1925, was a WWII Seabee, music lover, and dear friend. He believed beauty heals suffering. In his 80s, we shared organ lessons, oysters, and stories of trauma and joy. His belief in others fostered deep connection. At Healing Bells, we carry forward his legacy by standing with survivors and breaking silences that perpetuate harm. In his memory, we say Ni une más—no more silence, no more violence, no more lost lives.
Pamela Ruiter -Feenstra
Jul 225 min read
Lorde & Ahmed on Silence: how other activists impact Healing Bells
At Healing Bells, we honor the legacy of arts activists like Audre Lorde and Sara Ahmed. Their voices inspire empowerment, strength, and creativity in our work. Through poetry and feminist thought, they challenge silence around gender-based violence and uplift community, social justice, and healing. This blog celebrates womxn, LGBTQ voices, and survivors—centering collaboration, co-creation, and interdependence as paths toward balance, rest, and wellbeing.
Pamela Ruiter -Feenstra
Jul 152 min read
Tree Talks at Healing Bells: where stories root and rise
Welcome to our new Healing Bells site—rooted in healing arts, musical storytelling, and creative collaboration. From Ni une más to global projects, we co-create with survivors, womxn, and the global majority to transform trauma into empowerment. Through arts activism and community interdependence, we uplift courage, empathy, and wellbeing. Join us in this movement for balance, support, and social justice—where creativity thrives, feelings are valid, and every story carries st
Pamela Ruiter -Feenstra
Jul 82 min read
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