ANTH 147 E1: pink

Key Figures, from Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

❖ The Lee family

– Lia, Foua (mother), Nao Kao (father)

Sukey Waller

– psychologist, works with MC Outreach Services. Very well respected among Hmong community, fascinated by Hmong people, tries to help them on her own terms.
Tells Fadiman that she doesn't have to perfectly follow Hmong customs in order to gain their trust. Tells her she needs a CULTURAL BROKER.

Peggy Philp

– One of Lia's main doctors

• Wife to Neil Similar to Neil, personality-wise (flaws included)

Jonas Vangay

– Hmong community leader in Merced. Went to school in Laos, then got master's from French university. Moved to Merced because felt it was his "moral responsibility" to help people there.

• Fadiman asks him questions about Hmong culture and what it's like to be a trusted community leader. Describes Hmong as "blind and deaf" (for RR)

Jeanine Hilt

– Social worker, takes thorough notes about Lia's circumstances. Establishes close connection with Lia's parents, is an advocate and ally for them, asks them what they think about their daughter's illness (one of the only people to do this!)

Dan Murphy

– A family practice resident at MCMC Interested in Hmong culture, First to diagnose Lia as epileptic
Devoted to learning about Hmong, but still fails to communicate with Lia's parents about her conditions

Dwight Conquergood

–Ethnographer at one of the Hmong refugee camps, Respected Hmong culture, thought that western doctors and Hmong healers should learn from one another.
Used theater/characters from Hmong folktales to teach the Hmong public health information, did not place himself in a position of power.

Neil Ernst

– One of Lia's main doctors

• Husband to Peggy Very smart, skilled doctor (but uncompromising)

Bill Selvige

– Fadiman’s old college friend (and the former chief resident at MCMC) → explained to Fadiman that, due to the fact that most doctors are unlikely to ask their Hmong patients what they actually believe, they unfortunately remain unable to fully help them. One of the easiest ways to offend a Hmong family, she says, was by addressing an English-speaking teenager instead of the head of the household.
On debate of life vs. soul: Bill says that life is most important — doctor, says that you have to act on behalf of the most vulnerable person in the situation, that the child's health is more important than the parent's beliefs. Also, child may decide later that they don't even agree with patients beliefs— so save their life.