READ:  The book titled  The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down…

READ: The book titled The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman, tells a story of Lia Lee, a Hmong child with epilepsy, who lived in Merced, California. When 3-month-old Lia Lee arrived at the county hospital emergency room in Merced, a chain of events was set in motion from which Lia, her parents, and her doctors would never recover. Lia’s parents, Foua and Nao Kao, were part of a large Hmong community in Merced, refugees from the CIA-run “Quiet War” in Laos. Her parents and doctors both wanted the best for Lia, but their ideas about the causes of her illness and its treatment were very different.

The Hmong see illness and healing as spiritual matters that are linked to virtually everything in the universe, but the U.S. medical community marks a division between body and soul and concerns itself almost exclusively with the former. Lia’s doctors attributed her seizures to the misfiring of her cerebral neurons; her parents called her illness “qaug dab peg” – the spirit catches you and you fall down – and ascribed it to the wandering of her soul. The doctors prescribed anticonvulsants; her parents preferred animal sacrifices. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down moves from hospital corridors to healing ceremonies, and from the hill country of Laos to the living rooms of Merced, uncovering in its path the complex sources and implications of two dramatically clashing worldviews.

Lia’s doctors prescribed a complex regimen of medication designed to control her seizures. However, her parents believed that the epilepsy was a result of Lia “loosing her soul” and did not give her the medication as indicated because of the complexity of the drug therapy and the adverse side effects. Instead, they did everything logical in terms of their Hmong beliefs to help her. They took her to a clan leader and shaman, sacrificed animals, and bought expensive amulets to guide her soul’s return. Lia’s doctors believed that her parents were endangering her life by not giving her the medication, so they called child protective services, and Lia was placed in foster care. Lia was a victim of a misunderstanding between these two cultures that were both intent on saving her. The results were disastrous: a close family was separated, and Hmong community faith in Western doctors was shaken.

Lia was surrounded by people who wanted the best for her and her health. Unfortunately, they involved parties disagreed on the best treatment because they understood her epilepsy differently. The separate cultures of Lia’s caretakers had different concepts of health and illness.

This example illustrates how culture and health influence each other and at times clash. To help ensure good care for diverse patients, health care providers must address cultural issues and respect the cultural values of each patient.

 

QUESTIONS: using a comprehensive approach. It is expected that your responses will include at least 2 solid paragraphs (7-8 sent. makes a full paragraph) per each listed question. Defend your position which should be supported by literature/references/citations.

 

1) How can health care providers prepare for situations like Lia’s?

2)Should child protective services have been contacted?

3)Were Lia’s parents irresponsible?

4)How did the parents’ belief system affect Lia’s health care?

5)Were the parents’ decisions morally and legally wrong?

 

Share This Post

Email
WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Reddit

Order a Similar Paper and get 15% Discount on your First Order

Related Questions

Cervical Spine additional views Swimmers Projection 1. What anatomy…

Cervical Spine additional viewsSwimmers Projection1. What anatomy do we visualise on a swimmer’s projection?2. What is the downside to using a swimmer’s projection?3. What is the result if the raised arm isn’t flat against the trolley?4. What is the centring point for the swimmer’s projection?C1/C2 open mouth projection1. What bony

Medication Name    Include BOTH Generic AND Trade names for RX;…

Medication Name    Include BOTH Generic AND Trade names for RX; include OTC, herbal (non-pharmacological items) Dose  Route Freq.   NOTE: PRN ‘alone’ ≠Freq Indications    (PRN meds must include MD ordered Indication) Mechanism of Action Side Effects/ Adverse Reactions Nursing Considerations specific to this patient with citations   What cues

1 .     What are the stages of human sexual response? What…

1.    What are the stages of human sexual response? What similarities and differences exist between the sexual response patterns of males and females? 2.      List 4 pattern of human sexual behavior.  3.      List the different types of relationships and lifestyles.   

1. What is the complete description of the abbreviation ICD-10-CM?…

1. What is the complete description of the abbreviation ICD-10-CM? (Hint: what does each part ofICD-10-CM refer to?)2. What is the complete description of the abbreviation ICD-10-PCS?3. What organizations have representatives that serve as members of the Cooperating Parties forICD-10-CM?4. What are the two parts of the Alphabetic Index?5. According

 how cardinality is applied to the databases you’ve been working…

 how cardinality is applied to the databases you’ve been working with and why different numbers of records returned from the different offices. Compare and contrast the different queries you ran and how cardinality applies to them. What are two of the crucial benefits of cardinality in this type of database.

Based on the data from the 2×2 table below and calculate the…

Based on the data from the 2×2 table below and calculate the cumulative incidence for each group then compute the following measures. Interpret each of these measures. (22 points)     Diseased Non-Diseased Total Exposed 6 9 15 Non-Exposed 2 13 15 Total 8 22 30   cumulative incidence of exposure

Loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics may cause an increase in…

Loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics may cause an increase in potassiumexcretion and hypokalemia in the serum because: A. Increased sodium delivered to the collecting ducts will result in the exchange of sodium for potassiumB. Diuretics will inhibit sodium and potassium reabsorption out of the lumen of the nephron.C. Potassium secretion

A 56-year-old female patient is admitted after being found…

A 56-year-old female patient is admitted after being found unresponsive at home. The patient had right-sided hemiplegia and aphasia from a previous CVA. The provider documents a current cerebral infarction due to occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery as the final diagnosis and the patient is transferred for rehabilitation.

1. What is the difference between a theory and a model? Provide an…

1. What is the difference between a theory and a model? Provide an example of each.    2. Identify and describe the basic premise of four community practice models. Then, select one of the models and articulate a scenario in which it could be appropriately applied.    3. What are

Review the sample research questions below and write a 1- to 2-page…

Review the sample research questions below and write a 1- to 2-page response that addresses the following: . Select one strong Research Question and one weak Research Question. .Explain the traits of the strong Research Question and the flaws of the weak Research Question.  .Refer to the resources to justify

In what ways could the positive effects of preventing malaria be…

In what ways could the positive effects of preventing malaria be offset by health problems caused by DDT? How does DDT spraying impact animal species, such as fish or birds of prey? If DDT spraying causes certain species to become extinct or endangered, what are some potential consequences for the

1. The elements of effective communication are:   a. Verbal,…

1. The elements of effective communication are:  a. Verbal, non-verbal communication and exchange of views  b. Transactional, sharing and processing. c. Be present at the time and make use and interpretation of verbal and non-verbal communication.  d. Verbal and non-verbal communication.   3. All of the following are factors affecting

the patient is a 25-year old, male brought to the emergency…

the patient is a 25-year old, male brought to the emergency department (ED) after being shot in the abdomen during a drive-by shooting. the patient was admitted to the hospital with the expectation he would be transferred to the surgical ICU after surgery. The trauma team assembled in the ED, and

The main theories of human behavior are systems theory,…

The main theories of human behavior are systems theory, behaviorism/social learning theory, psychodynamic theory, psychosocial development theory, transpersonal theory, social exchange theory, social constructivism, symbolic interactionism, conflict theory, and contingency theory. For this written assignment, in a three-page, paper, using a minimum of two sources, choose three theories of human

Vitamin/Mineral Supplement Comparison Purpose To compare the amount…

Vitamin/Mineral Supplement Comparison PurposeTo compare the amount of vitamins and minerals in a supplement to your own personal DRI/RDA recommendations. This activity will help you evaluate a good vs. potentially dangerous supplement. Here you will compare a supplement with your own personal DRIs to assess its benefits and risks.  Background

The HIPAA Privacy Rule has an exception that allows covered…

The HIPAA Privacy Rule has an exception that allows covered entities to disclose individuals’ protected health information (PHI) for purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). In an essay, one page in length (minimum): Explain the difference between the use and disclosure of PHI. Explain the activities allowed

In the early years of the 1960s, Civil Rights activists in…

In the early years of the 1960s, Civil Rights activists in Mississippi and Alabama played a crucial role in the Civil Rights movement. What were the key events of those first few years of the early 1960s? Who were the leaders of the movement? What did they accomplish and did