Lia was the fourteenth child of Foua Yang and Nao Kao Lee and arguably their favorite. They spoiled her and treated her like a princess, believing that her epilepsy marked her as special and that she might someday become a shaman. Lia's frequent seizures resulted in mental retardation, and she often threw tantrums. At the same time, she was very affectionate and extremely well loved. Her parents had very different ideas from her doctors about the cause and optimal treatment of Lia's disease. As a result, she was placed in foster care for one year in order to ensure she would receive the recommended medicines. Lia eventually lost brain function as a result of septic shock, possibly brought on by the weakened state of her immune system caused by so much medication. Her family continued to love and care for her in her vegetative state for over twenty-five years.
Even if we look at Lia's situation from both sides, her parents and her medical team, we cannot predict what would have happened in the long run. Lia's parents loved and cared for her, they didn't want her on medication, and yet, it was the medication that may have weakened her immune system.
On the other hand, had she started taking medication earlier in life... the symptoms and seizures might have been alleviated. Even more importantly, Lia might not have been removed from the family that loved her.... something else that might have weakened her, being separated from her family unit... her source of comfort and love.
