The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down Summary

The book titled “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” is not only an interesting narrative to read just because but it serves as insight into the culture of the Hmong’s and not only how but also a why the Lee’s struggled to adapt and agree with Western medical practices for her daughter’s health.
Not far off from the introduction which gives insight on what Lia’s birth would’ve been like had she had been born in their native country rather than in Merced, California, the author goes into the description of various medical systems pertaining specifically to women prior to pregnancy, during and after as well as the importance that the placement of the placenta plays not only for the human as a newborn but also for the death and the afterlife

situation. Some of the subjects briefly discussed in chapter one is how a txiv neeb or a shaman, can negotiate for its “patients’ health with the spirits who lived in the realm of the unseen” (pg. 4). Much of their methods for overcoming illnesses or preventing them would include the sacrifice of an animal. For instance, if a person was infertile they believed that a couple simply had to sacrifice an animal by letting the shaman cut its throat and form a rope bridge to the bed of the couple to allow the future baby’s soul to cross over. When it came to the afterbirth there was a strict diet that they were to follow which included hot water, rice and chicken of some sort. When it came to the healing of their illnesses the Hmongs relied on herbs and soul calling ceremonies, which explains why they were against many of the methods that western doctors had on treating illnesses.
Based on the book the Hmong were against things such as blood drawing, operations, anesthesia, autopsies and even various medications.

The reasoning behind these were that they felt like the body only had a certain amount of blood so too many exams could lead to death as well as surgery to altering the body for reincarnation or even giving way to new illnesses after disturbing the body’s original form. When it came to medications as the author Fadiman explains, they often felt as though the dosage was off, or they simply didn’t like the side effects they came with. The author seems to indicate that much of the medical system the Hmong practiced relied on their Shamon and the calling of their ancestors for help which includes the invitation of their souls into a newborn’s body through a pig sacrifice and the tying of a string from the pig to the child’s wrist as was done after Lia was born. Everything from the birth to the death of a person had everything to do with life. The placenta was also another key factor of one’s life. According to the author about the Hmongs traditions, the placenta is like a jacket and so after the child is born it is buried in the house, if it’s a girl it is buried under the bed and if it is a boy, close to the door and after death the soul goes searching for that “jacket” because it must leave the way it came dressed into this world or else the soul is left to wonder. As the author states on chapter 6 page 61; “Hmong pre-occupation with medical

issues was nothing less than a preoccupation with life.”
When it comes to medical treatment another factor that can be noticed as very different is that for Hmong treatment their shamans only needed to take a look at the person to know what was wrong while with Western doctors, they talk about how the doctors always wanted to see the person’s body which to them was very uncomfortable and much of the treatments that the Hmongs practiced were seen by the American doctors as cruel and abusive. Some of these treatments including the rubbing of the skin with coins or the use of ignited alcohol-soaked cottons under small cups as a form of suction (pg. 64). These treatments were a “traditional healing art” as described in the book, so for the doctors to accuse the people of abuse was in a way traumatizing for them.
It is described in the book throughout the chapters that give insight the background of the Hmongs that their children are cherished and loved as their most prized possession which can explain why their families can be quite large. It is described that the parents would often feel embarrassed that they would be judged in such ways that they would either threaten suicide or would actually commit such act. This issue dates back to the era of war for them where the fathers, as a way to prevent more harm would kill their own families because then they wouldn’t have anything to lose and as for the birthing of the child, they weren’t considered fully part of their community until there was the celebration asserting that their soul was with them and that they would most likely survive as a way to avoid attachment to a child that might die just days following the birth.
Lia’s parents threatened with committing suicide because they were devastated being separated from their child especially when it happened without much warning. It is understandable that the doctors were simply trying to look after the child’s best interest but in such times when there was not only a medicinal barrier but also language it is hard not to feel bad for the parents. I feel as though the family faced many challenges, some of which they were able to overcome and others not as quite. The primary challenge faced by this family would have to be the language barrier and the fact that not one seemed to really care to take the time to explain to them in a way that they could understand the process and importance of each procedure as well as discussing any concern they had that was until the social worker Jeanine among other doctors that came along took the time to discuss with the parents their beliefs on what was causing their daughter’s sickness of epilepsy and their idea of treatment. As stated the parents were both concerned and happy because although it frightened them at times the way their child got, in their culture epilepsy was known as a sort of gift and would be praised by the whole community once learning to use it for higher powers.
One can say however that in a sense they were able to overcome such obstacles though because although they felt misplaced in every way possible, the Lees were able to in a way to put aside some of their cultural differences with the doctors for the better good of their daughter Lia as both sides just wanted the best for her. However, I feel maybe this might have happened a little too late. Had she been diagnosed sooner rather than stating she was on the initial stages of a form of bronchitis or actually listened to the parents on the severe side effects of the medication on the child, things might have turned out differently for Lia and she wouldn’t have ended in that vegetated state. For most of her treatment the parents were seen as unfit and uncaring of their child’s health as they did not follow the medication indications however her parents always showed their unconditional love for her in the way she was always nicely groomed for her doctor appointments, cared for by the family even after everyone else had gone off to college but perhaps the most obvious how out of all their children, she was the only one who’s birthday was celebrated each and every year.
The way this story unravels demonstrates many similarities with other cultures that have been discussed in the slides and readings, showing how not only the believes but healing techniques are not all that uncommon in various parts of the world.

Instead they show that modern medicine could learn a lot from them as these are practices that were put to use for hundreds of years by our ancestors and that although not all of their medicinal ways might have worked or been the best, they did have a sense of identifying when something was wrong and trying to treat it. Much of the Hmongs treatments can be seen in resemblance to the Latin cultures as well with the use of herbal medications and cleanses as well as their stories about one’s journey throughout

life.
“The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” like I stated previously was an exceptional story. I feel as though it was one of the best ways for us to be able to get a better intake at the practices and religious views of other cultures and how their culture ties in all together their beliefs not only on society and health but also religion and family. For much of the cultural background the book talked about how the Hmongs were extremely stubborn and hard to change their minds but I feel as though that same drive and determination is what demonstrates their faithfulness to their community and most importantly family. Also, I believe it goes to show that if only they are listened to and reasoned with in a way that they can understand the changes they are more than willing to cooperate, it is only when people decide to ignore them and their practices that they become upset. I honestly wish this could have been a book we could have discussed as a class and shared our thoughts with each other on the insights we obtained as well as our take away on the events after reading the book.