17th Feb Journal Entry

Continue thinking about what we talked about in class. What are the "Lessons Learned" from The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down?  What are we supposed to get from reading it? What do we get from reading it? What's the difference? 

I thought of medicine as mostly scientific and objective — if doctors know what’s medically correct, then that should be enough. But this book showed me that medicine is also cultural. Lia’s doctors weren’t careless or cruel; they genuinely wanted to help her. Her parents weren’t neglectful; they loved her deeply and believed they were protecting her spirit. What struck me most is that everyone had good intentions, yet things still went terribly wrong.

The biggest lesson I took away is that good intentions aren’t enough. Communication, trust, and cultural understanding matter just as much as medical knowledge. The doctors saw the Lees as “noncompliant,” while the Lees saw the doctors as frightening and intrusive. Neither side fully understood the other. It made me realize how easy it is to judge someone when you don’t understand their worldview.

I think we’re supposed to learn about cultural competence and the importance of empathy in professional settings. But what I actually got from reading it was more emotional than academic. I felt frustrated, sad, and uncomfortable. There wasn’t a clear villain or simple solution. Instead, I was left thinking about how systems can fail people even when individuals are trying their best.

In the end, the book made me reflect on how I approach people who think differently than I do. It challenged me to consider whether I truly listen, or whether I assume my perspective is the “right” one. That discomfort might be the most important lesson of all.