The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down – Section 3

Section 3 of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down really got me thinking about how much communication (or the lack of it) can shape everything. This section focuses on Lia’s medical treatment and how her parents and the doctors keep misunderstanding each other—not because they don’t care, but because they literally come from two completely different worlds. The Hmong parents see Lia’s seizures as a spiritual issue, while the doctors view them as a medical emergency. Both sides want what’s best for her, but their ideas of “best” are totally different.

What stood out to me is how the doctors are so focused on science and procedure that they don’t take the time to really listen to the Lees. It’s not that they’re bad people; they’re just used to being “right” in a medical sense. But when you treat someone from a different culture, just knowing medicine isn’t enough. You have to understand their beliefs too. I kept thinking about how frustrating it must have been for Lia’s parents to watch all these strangers take over their daughter’s care without understanding why she was sick in the first place.

It actually reminded me of moments in my own life when adults or teachers made assumptions without really hearing me out. Obviously it’s not the same level of seriousness, but that feeling of being misunderstood or dismissed because someone “knows better” hits hard. I feel like this section is a huge reminder that empathy matters just as much as knowledge.

Another thing that stuck with me was how easily good intentions can backfire. The doctors were trying to save Lia’s life, but their lack of cultural awareness made things worse. It made me realize how much context matters in every kind of communication. Even outside of medicine, you can’t just assume your way of seeing something is universal.

Section 3 made me reflect on how important it is to slow down and actually listen to people, especially when they come from a different background. It’s one thing to treat a symptom, but it’s another to understand the person behind it. And that’s something that goes way beyond hospitals; it’s a life skill.

- AnthroManTalks