the spirit catches you and you fall down
1.)The Merced Hospital Staff believed Lia suffered from Epilepsy. They believed it translated into Qaug dab peg. What was misunderstood is that quag dab peg were not really perceived as the same thing in Hmong culture as Epilepsy is in western medicine. In the Hmong culture, QDP is believed to be caused by a bad spirit called a dab. It is believed that dabs are responsible for stealing souls and making its victims sick. Epilepsy is recognized by western medicine as a serious neurological condition. Although Epilepsy and Quag dab peg may have the same physical symptoms, the symptoms are interpreted differently by each culture, making the condition two different illnesses requiring two different treatments. In Hmong culture, QDP is perceived as an illness with honor. Seizures are thought of to be evidence that the one experiencing them has powers to perceive things that others cannot see. Someone suffering from the symptoms of QDP are also thought of to be able to facilitate their entry into trance, which is required for them to journey into the unseen realm.
2.) QDP is treated through shamanic rituals performed by a txiv neeb. A txiv neeb only treats their patients on a spiritual plane. In Lia’s case rituals were often performed to lure her soul back to her. A Txiv neeb would place a bowl of sacred water in Lia’s room in hopes that her soul would return. Txiv neeb would also sacrifice pigs in the Lee’s apartment and place string on Lia’s wrists to keep the soul from escaping. When it came to doctors performing treatments they were trying to give Lia medication to help with her seizures but because Lia wasn’t receiving the right dosage from the parents. In chapter five “Take as Directed” which explains how Lia's parents did not medicate her properly. They had difficulties understanding how often they were supposed to give Lia her medicine. This caused the doctors to think the medicine was not strong enough leading them to give her too strong of prescriptions.
2.) QDP is treated through shamanic rituals performed by a txiv neeb. A txiv neeb only treats their patients on a spiritual plane. In Lia’s case rituals were often performed to lure her soul back to her. A Txiv neeb would place a bowl of sacred water in Lia’s room in hopes that her soul would return. Txiv neeb would also sacrifice pigs in the Lee’s apartment and place string on Lia’s wrists to keep the soul from escaping. When it came to doctors performing treatments they were trying to give Lia medication to help with her seizures but because Lia wasn’t receiving the right dosage from the parents. In chapter five “Take as Directed” which explains how Lia's parents did not medicate her properly. They had difficulties understanding how often they were supposed to give Lia her medicine. This caused the doctors to think the medicine was not strong enough leading them to give her too strong of prescriptions.