Just A Thought : Piper Cameron Lee

Suddenly something hits me strong at my ribs, some of them might be broken by the impact; I fell down, and think for an instant that it’s just a wild animal hunting. Good. I’d rather be killed by a bear than by an actual person. Something amazingly sharp scratches the back of

As I ran, I felt my foot come down on top of a moss filled rock, and I knew I was in trouble. The slick moss ripped away from the slab of granite and it sent me flying. I knew the fall would be inevitable, and took the it as best I could and prayed for some luck. Branches ripped apart my face, snapping from the contact. Blood flicked up into my eyes. My shoulder made contact with the trunk of a tree as the rest of my body dug into the mud. My legs flipped up over me, crashing into piece of granite bulging out of the ground, pain traveled its way up my leg.

In the summer James practiced with his dad and sometimes with his friends. James loved playing with dad. They would play every day and would never miss a game. Their favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys. James was born in Dallas and lived in Dallas his whole life. His dad always gave him tips and lessons. The Morgan’s had always been having trouble with money. James’ dream is to play in the NFL and help his parents with money issues. Summer flew by and college was starting soon. On his way to his friend’s house, his dad’s friend from work came over and had news, bad news. He said that his dad got in a bad car accident and is paralyzed from the

“ I’m not sure son “ dad answered in the same tone , that was as much as we ever talked but I was used to it by now father was always quiet man .

Is this what it feels like, no it can’t be I haven’t done everything I wanted. I can’t move my body isn’t letting me, the pain hits it’s overwhelming worse than any broken bone pain, I couldn’t deal with it I close my eyes hopping it would just go away. I feel arms grabbing me pulling me out of the wreckage I have caused. The pain is back blurring out my sight flashing lights blue and red is all I see. Looking to see who had grabbed me, I see a tall figure it’s too hard to make out. I was placed on my back on a soft cushion resting my heavy head I close my eyes

“What’s wrong Fletcher?” I looked up at him and told him the truth. Dad looked at me for a second, thought showing in his eyes

If one was to determine a nadir of culture and medicine, Lia Lee could be the hallmark. The case study shares a history of the Hmong to create an understanding of the cultural aversion to American medicine. The study involves a cultural belief that America abandoned the Hmong in war, in immigration, and in medical care. The Hmong were an expatriated people from a number of countries in which they tried to settle. Disease was a scourge on the younger generation and the physical strain left the elderly on roadsides to die, effectively decimating much of the Hmong population. The incident of Lia was not the birth of the distrust between the Hmong culture and the United States. During the Vietnam War the Hmong were part of a CIA operation that created enmity between them and Laos. The people became the victims of extermination orders and deserted by the United States after the treaty was signed and troops withdrew. This division in cultures held true in the actions of Foua and Nao Kao. The Lee family did not trust the doctors to have in mind the best interest of Lia, nor did they believe the U.S. doctors understood the real cause of Lia’s condition. The seizures considered to be due to a scaring of the spirit out of Lia resulted from the slamming of a door, and to the Hmong, this meant she was a special child. To American doctors she was another case of seizures, and part of a family with non-compliant parents. The ending of the book was foreseeable yet sad, but intriguing as to

"So, now you want to call me? And what's this I hear about you spraining your ankle?" My dad's gruff, naturally rich voice broke out. Well damn; I thought, ain't even gon' give me the opportunity to say hey.

“What did you say?” I mutter to him because of how loud he is being.

I felt someone rubbing my arm softly. When I opened my eyes, I was on the couch with… Katy was snuggled up against me and held my arm in place as I tried to move it from cradling her. Oh, but the man’s deep harsh voice that now rattled my brain had me frozen in place and in pain. Katy covered most of my face being in front of me as we spooned, but I could see (who had to be her dad) on the wall size TV looking at the two of us huddled closely together.

“No … get the money… just…” Dad caught my eye, and gave me a look that made me turn around again.

Confused, shocked and fear filled my mind as I lye on my side, gasping for air, trying desperately to stagger onto my knees. A sharp pain suddenly ran up my spine into my forehead and quickly I collapsed back onto the cold damp floor inside this mangled metal coffin in which I was trapped in. Bit by bit I moved my hand closer to my forehead, trying to impede this massive throbbing that was affecting my head. I skimmed my forehead and paused my hand on a huge gash. The pain shot into my head again, but I was able to clutch on to the seat and hold my balance. There was blood pouring down the side

It started with a chill, each vertebrae vibrating one by one up my spine. Then the heat, my face flush and palms clammy. I could never keep up with my breathing, for it seemed as though each time I breathed out, I needed more air almost immediately. Soon, my mind was flooded with unsettling images, a new one appearing nearly every second, each worse than the last. Everything that I found comfort in was now an enemy. When will this end? My body could not keep up with the trembles and I could not resist the urge to scream. Was this room always so small? My eyes grew indecisive, darting across the room, until the capillaries within them bulged so greatly that I clenched my eyelids shut. Then, a long, deep breath.

“No … the money… just…” Dad caught my eye, and gave me a look that made me turn around again.

“Maybe you should go check on dad…” I trailed off, just wanting space. Besides my dad, tended to get over-worked on the smallest of things, and this situation was only 1000 times worse.