The paper discusses the main events in the book, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. It examines the conflict over Lia Lee’s treatment between the Merced Community Medical Center in California and a Laotian refugee family. Doctors have determined that Young Lee has severe, recurrent epilepsy. Both the child’s parents and physicians cared deeply for Lia, but their inability to communicate effectively resulted in tragedy. The four statements that will guide the subsequent sections include the following:
- Lia has recurrent convulsions three months after birth, which tests the family’s strengths and weaknesses.
- One of the central themes in the books is the conflict between traditional and western views on illness and medication.
- The most essential thing I have gained from this book is that it undermines the prevailing perspective of the Modern health paradigm and provides a clear criticism of a broken system.
- The book has enlightened my understanding of the plight of children with chronic illness or disability and their families.
Lia has recurrent convulsions three months after birth, which tests the family’s strengths and poses challenges. Lia is a generally kind and compassionate girl, although she suffers considerably from the side effects of the several medication regimens she must use. She is also resilient, as seen by the fact that she has a strong desire to live despite her suffering. Indeed, Lia overcomes all obstacles and survives without needing life support (Fadiman, 2012). Thus, Lia’s only challenge is the illness that has left her unable to live a normal life as a child.
Lia’s mother, Foua Lee, is a kind, devoted woman particularly charmed with her daughter. She spares no effort to supply the little child with the essentials of Hmong medical care, encompassing both herbal treatments and ritual practices, and cuddles the child at all times (Fadiman, 2012). She is also welcoming as she opens up to Anne Fadiman about Lia’s illness. This is significant because the Lees are not as open with Americans with no Hmong ancestry (Fadiman, 2012). Foua’s main challenge is her inability to communicate with American doctors to express her views and beliefs regarding medication.
Similarly, Nao Kao is a dedicated father and an ardent supporter of Lia. Despite facing the same difficulties as his wife, he fights for his child’s rights and is quite temperamental. He often lets his hot temper and obstinate nature take control of his dealings with medical professionals and social workers (Fadiman, 2012). Consequently, despite the difficulties the household experiences, they demonstrate perseverance and conviction amid hardship, as well as a strong ability for steadfast, compassionate familial love.
One of the central themes in the books is the conflict between traditional and western views on illness and medication. Whereas all doctors would most certainly diagnose the recurring convulsions as epilepsy, the Lee household perceived it differently. In the Hmong tradition, Lia’s ailment is described as Quag dab peg, implying “the spirit catches you and you fall down” (Fadiman, 2012). The Hmong essentially holds that an evil spirit or dab removed Lia’s soul from her body. The Hmong consider Lia to be the carrier of a healing spirit (neeb), which is revered in their culture, even though this may seem unpleasant (Fadiman, 2012). Although terrible and debilitating, Lia’s illness would be considered a godsend. The family reasoned that Lia’s spirit was becoming contaminated by the drug and its negative impacts; therefore, they stopped administering it to her for extended periods.
The Lee family’s viewpoint on health and treatment differs from that of the medical practitioners. One of the physicians who treated Lia, Neil, maintained that every patient should get the same level of care (Fadiman, 2012). This should encompass customizing a medicine regimen to get the optimum outcomes. Nonetheless, this turned out to be quite harmful in Lia’s case. The Lee family was increasingly frightened by the frequent dosage and prescription changes, which gave them more justification to withhold Lia’s meds (Fadiman, 2012). Lia eventually suffered Septic shock, which led Lia to lose brain function, possibly triggered by the medication-induced compromised immune system.
The different perspectives affected interactions with Lia’s family. The girl’s parents were certain that the prescribed Western drugs were exacerbating her seizures. In contrast, the medical staff demeaned the parents by blaming them for ineptitude, noncompliance, and even malicious intent (Fadiman, 2012). The language and cultural barrier aggravated the situation to almost irreparable levels. Notably, the interaction between the medical personnel and the family was further damaged by the decision to take away Lia.
The most essential thing I have gained from this book is that it undermines the prevailing perspective of the Modern health paradigm and provides a clear criticism of a broken system. Additionally, I have learned that most healthcare professionals lack training in cultural sensitivity when dealing with diverse clients.
The book has enlightened my understanding of the plight of children with chronic illness or disability and their families. I will essentially work as their advocate from the minute they arrive at the hospital. I will continue to speak up in order to get special assistance for the child. To minimize misunderstandings with the child’s family, I will incorporate my responsibility as a proactive caregiver and improve my communication skills. If a child’s safety and well-being are jeopardized, I will remove her from her parents, just as Neil and Peggy did.
References
Fadiman A. (2012). The spirit catches you and you fall down: A Hmong child her American doctors and the collision of two cultures (1st ed.). Farrar Straus and Giroux.