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What Members Thought
An important lesson in cultural relativity. Everyone should read this.
Thought-provoking and detailed look at the cultural misunderstandings that ultimately had major negative consequences for the patient. It appears that both sides of this story were doing the best that they could, and the author has been scrupulous in the presentation of both viewpoints, as far as I could see. I know nothing of the Hmong people, but the message translates to other minority groups both racial and behavioural, and has had an effect on the way I work.
To me, the Hmong have a magical way of interpreting the world. They believe in spirits that live almost everywhere: in their homes & by all bodies of water for example. They believe that when someone has a seizure it is caused by a spirit "catching" your soul and so your body falls down. This is a story of a Hmong family with a little daughter who has epilepsy and the details of their involvement with the American healthcare system.
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Excellent insight into the Hmong culture! You see and feel the frustrations of the immigrants trying to understand American views; but you also learn about the Hmongs beliefs and their view of life.
Sep 23, 2010
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Nov 18, 2012
Davida "Davi"
marked it as to-read
Jan 30, 2013
Terri
marked it as around-the-world
Feb 08, 2015
Jennifer
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Feb 16, 2015
Carolyn
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Sep 09, 2015
Jen
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Feb 23, 2018
Jules
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Jul 16, 2018
Ryan
marked it as to-read
Dec 28, 2018
Laura (booksnob)
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May 12, 2019
grace
marked it as to-read
