“You can drink all the celery juice you want, but it’s not going to heal racial capitalism or the other systemic root causes of our suffering. ”
This insightful guide offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between individual well-being and the larger societal systems that contribute to chronic illnesses. Rather than treating illness as an individual matter, Rebel Healing shows readers that their illness is not their fault and points them to the power and agency they have to heal themselves and the systems that made them sick in the first place. Readers of adrienne maree brown, Kerri Kelly, Dr. Mariel Buqué, and Resmaa Menakem will appreciate this book.
“A wonderfully supportive book for those working with chronic illness, or any impediment in their lives. Noëlle has taken her personal and professional experience with health adversity, and created a very inspiring and practical workbook-style guide. She provides step by step tools on how to handle the emotional and spiritual suffering of illness, as well as addressing the trauma of trying to get well with a floundering national health care system focused essentially on symptom relief versus cure. Her nurturing words bring much comfort. I will be recommending this much needed book to many of my patients.”
The audiobook will be released in Spring 2024. Sign up here to be notified.
In the pages of this book, you’ll discover:
A radical redefinition of healing
An understanding of the social and political causes of chronic illness
Journal prompts and exercises to guide you in crafting a new, more effective approach to healing
Steps to start building a strong foundation for healing right now
Strategies to heal in community
Resources to turn your health challenges into superpowers
Strategies for cultivating the hope and resilience needed to thrive amidst adversity
By following the journal prompts and experimenting with the exercises in this book you will . . .
Move through the world with a lot more joy and ease.
Feel more connected and supported, and less alone.
See new possibilities for living a wonderful life even with health challenges.
Love yourself more exactly as you are.
Feel clearer on what you want and how to make it happen.
See how you can both honor your gifts and work in community to change the systems that make us sick.
The origin story
I’ve been living with various levels of chronic health challenges for 22 years. And, as somebody who grew up in DC, trained as a grassroots organizer, and thinks about political connections all the time, I was frustrated that I didn’t see any books about chronic illness that put healing in the context of our sick society. I didn’t see books that addressed why we’re in the position we’re in. All the books I read about healing made it seem like an individual experience, when actually individualism is a large part of why so many of us are sick.
I wrote this book because I wanted people to see that their illness is not their fault and that they don’t have to heal alone. In fact, by choosing to heal together, we not only heal ourselves more effectively, but we build power to change the systems that have created the chronic illness epidemic.
In coaching social change makers for nearly a decade, I’ve seen again and again that when individuals can see both that they’re not the only one having the experience that they’re having, and that so much of what’s making their experience hard is actually capitalism, patriarchy, ableism, etc., it is so much easier for them to reclaim their power and agency in healing.
This book is not about what to eat, how to fix your sleep, or cold plunges. This book is a love letter, a self-help guide, and a community empowerment tool. It is about us as whole humans reconnecting to ourselves, other humans, and the world around us so we can build a broader web of wellbeing.
“Noëlle’s authenticity and connectedness come through in every facet of her healing work. She balances compassion, depth, lightheartedness, and professionalism with ease.”
Who is this book for?
This book is for everyone who has been dismissed in the doctor’s office, everyone who has had to see way too many doctors to get a diagnosis, and everyone who does not have a diagnosis or doesn’t resonate with diagnoses they’ve been given. Individuals healing from injuries, addiction, mental health challenges, and other trauma have found it useful too.
This is a great book for caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals with chronic illness.
This book might NOT be for you if . . .
You’re looking for a detox protocol or individualized healing plan.
You already live in a socialist country with universal healthcare. 💛
You’re content with the support you’re getting from your primary care physician.
You’re not willing to get uncomfortable in service of your healing.
Find press about the book and a list of bookstores carrying it here.
Book cover design by John Calmeyer.