Pubdate: Fri, 14 May 2010 Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 The Chilliwack Progress Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/Ta1hOac0 Website: http://www.theprogress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562 Author: Eryn Wicker Note: Eryn Wicker (M.A., R.C.C) is a mental health clinician with the Child and Youth Mental Health team with the Ministry of Children and Family Development in Chilliwack. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/author/Gabor+Mate DR. GABOR MATE: THE MAN BEHIND THE BOOKS "I've grown up with the awareness of how terrible and difficult life can be for some people through no fault of their own. It helps me feel there is good work to be done everywhere." This quote by famed Vancouver physician, author, presenter, advocate, and family man Dr. Gabor Mate: sums up his character quite well: compassionate, insightful, and thought-provoking. Born in Hungary in 1944, Dr. Mate immigrated to Canada with his family in 1957. He attended UBC , worked as a high school English teacher for a few years, and eventually returned to university to pursue becoming a doctor. After running a family practice and coordinating a hospital palliative care unit, he moved into a dynamic position as the staff physician at the Portland Hotel, a residence and resource centre for the people of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Mental illness, drug addiction, and HIV, among other challenges, encompass the scope of his patients now. Beyond this demanding role he also finds time to write columns for local newspapers, publicly speak about his views in a variety of venues, and author several well-known books. His unique perspective and unfailing dedication to helping people from all walks of life can be found in the following works: When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress; Scattered Minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder; Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers (co-authored with developmental psychologist Gordon Neufeld); and most recently published In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction. One interview with Dr. Mate that I read described him as a risk-taker, unflinching in the face of criticism, a man who would not be kept silent about his multiple passions, someone with an unusual intensity, and a sense of humour that can be startling and confusing. However, in the same breath as shamelessly promoting his work he is more than generous is giving credit where it is due. Dr. Mate has been married for 35 plus years to his wife Rae, a painter who does the cover art for all of his books. He describes her as his soul-partner who he cherishes for her emotional courage, love, and wisdom. We are so fortunate to have Dr. Mate as the keynote speaker for the upcoming Action Builds Community Consultation on Chilliwack's Children, being held at Sardis Secondary School on Friday, May 21st. He will be speaking about his most recent book: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, which discusses the role that trauma can play in addictions. Those attending can look forward to his engaging speaking style and astute observations on human behaviour. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake