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.