Dr. Jennifer Coleman’s research was geared towards stress and how it affects non-white population, specifically black populations. As her main focus was on veterans, she encountered PTSD a lot, and sought to find the racial divide between symptomatology, expression, and cause. It has been established, that due to the continuous struggles against discrimination and segregation,Continue reading Departmental Talk
Unnatural causes: becoming American
The video followed the story of Amador Bernal, who immigrated to Pennsylvania and had to wait 10 years before his family could be invited to join him. Now, surrounded by not just his family, but many others from his hometown, he tries to make ends meet with his job at the mushroom farm. All membersContinue reading Unnatural causes: becoming American
Chapter 19 and Overview
Chapter 19 ends with an elaborate spirit ceremony performed by a Hmong Shaman. Accompanied by his flying horse, the shaman was meant to mark Lia as the child who needed help and was to attempt to return her spirit to her, if that was possible at such a late stage into her illness. Lia’s familyContinue reading Chapter 19 and Overview
Chapter 17&18
While Lia remained a “lifeless husk”, Dr. Hutchinson accused MCMC of putting Lia in that position, as he believed that a hospital acquired bacteria may have caused her big seizure. While Dr. Neil insisted that he would have considered the possibility and performed a diagnostic test on Lia had he known, Hutchinson says that itContinue reading Chapter 17&18
chapter 15 and 16
The Lees are seen as model caregivers as Lia ‘improves’ under their care. The author describes Lia’s life as one of a goddess, with everyone around her showering her with unconditional love, care, and attention despite the blankness in her face and possibly consciousness. While Neal and Peggy ensured that the Lees had every sourcesContinue reading chapter 15 and 16
Chapters 13 & 14
The Lees were finally allowed to bring Lia home, but just so that she could be comfortable in her predicted last few days of her life. This was not done because of the increased trust, but rather the belief that Lia would not live long enough for the trip to be detrimental. She beat herContinue reading Chapters 13 & 14
Unnatural causes: Place matters
The video reflected on the lives of those in impoverished neighborhoods, driving home the point that environment can affect health as much as any other factor. The lifestyle of those living in Richmond, California has been in decline since the majority moved out, leaving the minority with sparse resources as big businesses pulled out. WithContinue reading Unnatural causes: Place matters
Unnatural causes: In sickness and in wealth
The video reflected on the daily lives of the people in Louisville, specifically the lives of individuals from different socioeconomic rungs. There is a drastic contrast between the CEO of the Hospital who belongs to the top 1% of the society and lives in the sophisticated suburban neighborhoods with the availability of fresh food andContinue reading Unnatural causes: In sickness and in wealth
Chapter 11 & 12
Lia finally had the “big one” that her doctors were afraid of, the one seizure that she would not be able to come back from. Running the inherent risk of infections, the doctors were forced to intubate through the blood and vomit in order to prevent asphyxiation. While the excessive medication managed to calm downContinue reading Chapter 11 & 12
Chapter 9 & 10
Chapter 9 focused on the extent to which Lia’s parents were not irresponsible but rather selective in their caregiving strategies. Nao Kao chose to drive for days with Lia to find her a treatment options that has traditionally worked for the Hmong despite her condition not being considered a ‘problem’ but an illness to beContinue reading Chapter 9 & 10
