Reference no: EM133562131

Reading Journal Reflection

Spirit Catches You 1

This Reading Journal reflection assignment asks you to critically think about the assigned chapters from Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.

Once you have read and discussed The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down with your small group on Perusall, do a reflection on the piece. Reflecting on the below prompt, your entry should be written in complete sentences. Be thoughtful with your reflection, as it will be graded on how well you engage with the materials and how much critical thinking you put into your response. You should expect to spend approximately 30 minutes on this reflection.

In the first chapters of "Spirit" we learn about Lia's illness and are introduced to both her family and some of the individual healthcare practitioners involved in her treatment and care. As we are learning in this class, culture impacts how a given illness is understood and this, in turn, affects the course of treatment. In other words, culture constructs illness. Last week, we also learned about the Shamanistic Complex, which tells us that in order for a treatment to be successful, the sorcerer, patient, and community must all have faith in the treatment process.

With all of this in mind, reflect on the following:

Compare and contrast Lia's healthcare providers' and Lia's family's perspectives on Lia's illness and their cultural underpinnings. In what ways are these differences disrupting the care she is receiving?

Did you highlight any quotes or passages that show how Merced physicians understand this condition? In what ways do you see these healthcare providers' perspectives on what was happening to Lia and why as reflections of American beliefs and values?

Did you highlight any quotes from the text that illuminate the Lee's perspective on what they think was happening to Lia and why she was suffering? How does this reflect broader Hmong cultural beliefs and values?