The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down By Anne Fadiman

Superstition and Religion: How It Affects Western and Eastern Medicine Sometimes the question about spirituality, and why people believe in it swarms around some of the minds of today’s society. Growing up as a second generation of Filipino heritage, life without Christ was looked upon as unbearable, and less motivating to do things in life. I always found it complex that Filipinos needed to breathe with the motivation of God, and become heavily influenced by applying Catholicism to its culture. However, when religion collides with Western cultures, one becomes conflicted in what would be the most beneficial thing towards a healthy life. The most common question being asked in the twenty first century is, “Which can cure better: Western

Throughout this semester, I gained knowledge about the Hmong culture and how their shamanistic beliefs clash with the American way of life. It continues to be a struggle in today’s society for the Hmong people since culture barriers as well as the lack of communication occurs between the Hmongs and Americans. Based on the novel, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman, Fadiman explains how Lia’s parents find Western medicine practices rather foreign. An example of this can be seen on page 19 in chapter 5. Fadiman explains how Americans encounter the Hmong people by stating, “Neither doctor could tell how much of their inability to get through was caused by defects of intelligence and how much by cultural barriers…” (Fadiman 19). When most American doctors meet the Lees, the first impression that they get is that Lia’s parents are incompetent and lack the communication needed to discuss health problems that are going on with Lia. I also found it interesting in the book how Lia’s epilepsy can be considered something so special in the Hmong culture, yet a severe disability in the American culture. The Hmong people are very headstrong, but try to fight for what they believe in, which is their shamanistic beliefs. Every shamanic rituals has a meaningful reason behind its healings. Most Hmong people find it very helpful towards healings. However, most medical solutions can not be completely healed through Shamanistic rituals. Based on an academic essay by Sharon K. Johnson, her article about, “Hmong Health Beliefs and Experiences in the Western Health Care System” talks about how nurses should perceive Hmongs whenever they walk into a doctor's office or a hospital. “When a Hmong patient encounters the American medical system, it is important that sufficient time and effort be given to fully explain what needs to be done and why, using terms and concepts