Spirit catches you and you fall down

Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down Name: Instructor: Institution: Date: If disaster always comes after another catastrophe, if fate is always accompanied by another, or simply if indeed misery loves company, then indeed this book THE SPIRIT CATCHES YOU AND YOU FALL DOWN by Anne Fadiman explains it. The book talks about the experiences of an immigrant kid who endures the rapid transition from the hilly countryside of the war-torn Laos to the ever-busy, fast-moving lifestyle of California. Through her experiences with the American doctors, the story depicts the collision of cultures and its impacts. The child is also a representation of her entire community, and the even larger immigrant societies in various foreign environments around the world (Fadiman, n.d.). The child in question, Lia Lee, was diagnosed with severe epilepsy which made her suffer from frequent seizures. As a result, her parents opted to take her to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with some medications, most notably phenobarbital, which was meant to control and prevent the seizures. While at home, however, Lia continued experiencing these frequent seizures. One of the doctors realized that her parents were not giving her the medication as required. The doctor decided to obtain a court order to take away Lia under medical custody so that she could be treated well (Fadiman, n.d.).Her time away from her parents caused both her and the parents' immense distress, although it was good for her health. After the time away, Lia was taken back to her parents, but then again, the seizure frequencies increased. Her parents were combining modern methods of treatment with traditional beliefs, where they thought that the seizures were ‘special' moments when Lia would get possessed by spirits. They called this ‘qaug dab peg,' in English it means, ‘The spirit catches you, and you fall down.' Her parents would then call a traditional healer to make some sacrifices and chant, calling upon spirits. Her parents apparently disagreed with the medications from the doctors for their child, or if they did agree, it was up to some limits. What resulted from this was sad, a tragedy. Lia finally offered from a permanent seizure which at the end of it, she suffered brain damage and went into a vegetative state from the age of four to the age of 32, when she died (Nuland, n.d.). This story is the narration and depiction of just how disastrous cultural collision can be. This was a case of the most extreme forms of cultural misunderstanding and misinterpretation flanked by some degree of ignorance. Both the doctors and the parents wanted the best for Lia. The doctor even went as far as taking her away from her parents, just to ensure that she receives the best medical care. This is indeed very touching and encouraging (Konner, n.d.). The book lays bare the struggles that the contemporary society faces when it comes to balancing between cultures and emerging trends. It becomes even harder when staunch believers in cultural practices, such a...