The spirit catches you and you fall down

The book chronicles the story of Lia Lee, a Hmong child born in Merced, California, who was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.

The narrative highlights the profound cultural differences between the Hmong family's spiritual beliefs about illness and the Western medical community's scientific approach.

Despite both parties' good intentions, the lack of understanding and communication led to tragic consequences.

Fadiman's account is a compelling exploration of cultural competence, medical anthropology, and the complexities of cross-cultural interactions in healthcare.