The Spirit Catches you and You Fall Down:
A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Lia Lee's Story
A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Lia Lee's Story
This real life story focuses on the life of Lia Lee, a Hmong child who is epileptic, a her family struggle in a new country. She suffers severe grand mal seizures which eventually brings catastrophic consequences. However, the most important aspect of the book is the cultural barriers that led to Lia's vegetative state. The Lee's compliance with Lia's treatment became a challenge for the Doctors at Merced County Hospital. In this book, Fadiman uses this struggle to interpret how Western and Eastern medicine differ and how each group have different ways of viewing the patient.
Hmong believe that malevolent spirits wander around looking for vulnerable human souls, or unloved children. In their beliefs, qaug dab peg or epilepsy (translated "the spirit catches you and you fall down), is seen as a gift which many shamans possess because many of them are epileptics. According to the Hmong, an epileptic attack is the moment when the epileptic enters the spirit world and negotiate acting as public healer. This ability signifies the host has been chosen as a Spiritual Healer and it is considered an honor .
Hmong believe that malevolent spirits wander around looking for vulnerable human souls, or unloved children. In their beliefs, qaug dab peg or epilepsy (translated "the spirit catches you and you fall down), is seen as a gift which many shamans possess because many of them are epileptics. According to the Hmong, an epileptic attack is the moment when the epileptic enters the spirit world and negotiate acting as public healer. This ability signifies the host has been chosen as a Spiritual Healer and it is considered an honor .
Critical or Applied Medical Anthropology in Lia Lee's Story?
In Lia's book, neither applied medical anthropology nor critical medical anthropology approach were taken. A medical anthropologist was not called upon to help resolved the cultural differences and the medical misunderstandings the Lees had. Little effort was made in behalf of the doctors at MCCH to be more "cultural competent"and understand the Hmong culture. Unfortunately, some of the medical staff were not familiar with the Hmong beliefs and traditions and did not quite understand the Lees were more concerned with Lia's soul because they believed her problem was not so much "physical" but spiritual. The Lees are "believed their daughter's illness was caused by the loss of her soul and could be treated most effectively by animal sacrifice" than by the medications prescribed (Fadiman, 81).
I do believe some people like the social worker, Jeanine hilt, although not too familiar with the Hmong culture itself, did an exceptional work in advocating for Lia and her parents. "Despite the setbacks, Jeanine Hilt was determine to try to continue to educate the Lees about Lia's medications so that they could regain custody before twelve moths elapsed and they legally lost her for good" (Fadiman, 90).
The question reminds, would Lia's fate have been different if a medical anthropologist would had been involved?
In Lia's book, neither applied medical anthropology nor critical medical anthropology approach were taken. A medical anthropologist was not called upon to help resolved the cultural differences and the medical misunderstandings the Lees had. Little effort was made in behalf of the doctors at MCCH to be more "cultural competent"and understand the Hmong culture. Unfortunately, some of the medical staff were not familiar with the Hmong beliefs and traditions and did not quite understand the Lees were more concerned with Lia's soul because they believed her problem was not so much "physical" but spiritual. The Lees are "believed their daughter's illness was caused by the loss of her soul and could be treated most effectively by animal sacrifice" than by the medications prescribed (Fadiman, 81).
I do believe some people like the social worker, Jeanine hilt, although not too familiar with the Hmong culture itself, did an exceptional work in advocating for Lia and her parents. "Despite the setbacks, Jeanine Hilt was determine to try to continue to educate the Lees about Lia's medications so that they could regain custody before twelve moths elapsed and they legally lost her for good" (Fadiman, 90).
The question reminds, would Lia's fate have been different if a medical anthropologist would had been involved?