{"id":1710,"date":"2021-11-21T15:14:19","date_gmt":"2021-11-21T15:14:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/about\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T20:19:51","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T20:19:51","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1710\" class=\"elementor elementor-1710\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3447f83 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"3447f83\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b3a35f8\" data-id=\"b3a35f8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32eb271 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"32eb271\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Who are we?<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-460970c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"460970c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-21f68a6\" data-id=\"21f68a6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-670e6d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"670e6d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rare-Disease-Day-2019-Ottawa-1024x680.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1854\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rare-Disease-Day-2019-Ottawa-1024x680.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rare-Disease-Day-2019-Ottawa-300x199.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rare-Disease-Day-2019-Ottawa-768x510.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rare-Disease-Day-2019-Ottawa-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Rare-Disease-Day-2019-Ottawa.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bc42c60\" data-id=\"bc42c60\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0073403 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0073403\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About Chris Gilmor<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60241e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"60241e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>As the driving force behind Voicentra, I bring a deeply personal and profound commitment to advocacy, rooted in both professional expertise and heartfelt parental devotion.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>My journey into advocacy was catalyzed by the challenges faced as a father to my now 17-year-old son, who bravely battles a rare disease. Driven by an unwavering love and dedication to provide my son with the best possible life, I recognized the urgent need for systemic change within the special needs and rare disease communities.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Fueled by frustration with the systemic barriers encountered by individuals and families in similar circumstances, I embarked on a mission to effect tangible change where it was sorely needed. Witnessing firsthand the lack of funding, resources, support, and understanding, as well as the sluggish pace of governmental and institutional responsiveness, I was propelled into action.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>With over a decade of advocacy, I have been a stalwart champion for rare diseases, partnering with esteemed organizations such as the Rare Disease Foundation based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I served both as a member and leader of the Toronto Parent-2-Parent networking group, offering invaluable support and guidance to families navigating the complexities of rare diseases. I also spent time as a Board Member of the Rare Disease Foundation, helping to shape strategies and initiatives aimed at amplifying the voices of those often marginalized by the healthcare system.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>My advocacy journey has taken me to various platforms, from public speaking engagements where I passionately advocated for the Rare Disease Foundation and the Canadian Organization for Rare Diseases, to face-to-face interactions with provincial and federal government representatives, urging for policies and reforms to better support those in need.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>With Voicentra, I will channel my expertise, resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment into a dynamic force for change. I am determined to break down barriers, amplify voices, and create a world where individuals and families affected by special needs and rare diseases are embraced with compassion, support, and opportunities for a vibrant and fulfilling life.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cde0efe elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cde0efe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8f2eeb9\" data-id=\"8f2eeb9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-322bb4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"322bb4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Talk to us<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63eaa9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"63eaa9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Have any questions? I welcome the opportunity to help you advocate for what you need.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cc4301 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5cc4301\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get In Touch<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who are we? About Chris Gilmor As the driving force behind Voicentra, I bring a deeply personal and profound commitment to advocacy, rooted in both professional expertise and heartfelt parental devotion. \u00a0 My journey into advocacy was catalyzed by the challenges faced as a father to my now 17-year-old son, who bravely battles a rare &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/about\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">About<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"enabled","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1710","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1710"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2002,"href":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1710\/revisions\/2002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.voicentra.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}