The Lees continued to employ traditional methods to aid their daughter. As soon as Lia came home from foster care, the Lees sacrificed a cow to boost Lia's health; the souls of sacrificed animals are precious and vitally connected to human souls. In addition, they spent $1,000 on amulets filled with sacred herbs from Thailand, which Lia wore around her neck. Foua and Nao Kao also tried changing Lia's name to Kou, in hopes that the dab who stole her soul would be tricked into thinking that she was someone else, and her soul could return. According to Foua, this plan was foiled because Lia's doctors persisted in calling her Lia. In another attempt to help their child, Nao Kao took Lia to a famous txiv neeb in Minnesota, who gave Lia's parents hope about her condition and her future.
However, in September 1986, Lia fell off a swing at Schelby Center for Special Education, and was warded at MCMC for two weeks. According to Nao Kao, the teacher made her drop from the swing. When she fell, she got scared and her soul went away, making her sick again. The doctors made Lia stay so long in the hospital that it made her sicker and sicker. Three weeks later, she was admitted again.
Anonymous provider
I think most providers now realize that the mind and body work together. Many people from many cultures believe in the important role that spirituality plays in healing. In fact, in this matter, we are not unlike our Asian patients. Finding an opportunity to engage patients, their families and their communities in spiritual activities is helpful. When it is appropriate, I often encourage the use of rituals such as "soul calling" and/or Buddhist chants (prayers). We encourage families to bring Buddhist monks to the medical center for prayers. |
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