Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
If you want to see the cultural difference between Americans and the Hmong, then look no further than their respective views on epilepsy. Which is obviously the first thing you're bound to talk about when you meet one on the street.
The American Perspective
For the most part, American folks believe that epilepsy is a disease, plain and simple. Seizures are bad, the consequences of seizures are even worse, and they need to be stopped at all costs. Just ask Neil and Peggy, Lia's doctors; they'd agree. Because they're Americans. And then they'd get straight back to their box of doughnuts and full Netflix queue like real Patriots.
The Hmong Perspective
Hmong believe that seizures are a gift. The condition is known as quag dab peg, or "the spirit catches you and you fall down." Pretty crafty, huh? Plus, it's associated with magic: Hmong shamans, known as txiv neeb, typically suffer from the condition, which gives them "the power to perceive things other people cannot see" (3.3), which is pretty baller according to this culture. In today's world the Hmong will go ahead and agree that a person with quag dab peg should get medical treatment, but he or she remains an "anointed one" (15.20).
Shmoop's Perspective
As your Shmooptastic overlords, we've got to go with all of the above. The greatest thing about being a human being (besides eating pancakes) is seeing all the wildly different perspectives that different cultures have. Which means it's worth remembering that no one viewpoint is better than the other. And the only way to get a clear picture is by blending them all together.