Gabrielle Miller - Corner Gas - Joins the Vela Board
Vancouver, British Columbia – September 20, 2018 – Vela Canada, a BC-based not-for-profit supporting people with disabilities, welcomes new board member, Gabrielle Miller. Gabrielle Miller is known for her lead role in iconic Canadian TV show, Corner Gas, which is now an animated series.
Gabrielle and her family have been involved with Vela Canada for almost 30 years when her sister set up the first Microboard in British Columbia. With years of gratitude, Gabrielle is honoured to join Vela Canada’s Board of Directors because having a Microboard for her sister has enabled her sister to have an independent and self-directed life.
“I am incredibly grateful for the work Vela does. Vela is so involved in my sister’s life that it allows her to have the support she needs, but also the independence she desires. Everyone should know what a Microboard is. A Microboard is important for the individuals with disabilities, but it also is a huge support for the families. It saves my family’s life every day”. – Gabrielle Miller, Actor, Corner Gas Animated
“This is a great opportunity to have Gabrielle Miller part of the Vela Canada Board. She has been actively engaged with Vela over the years, but we are touched that she is able to make the time in her busy schedule to assist in Vela’s business goals.” – Linda Perry, Executive Director, Vela Canada
About Vela Canada
Established in 1985, Vela Canada is a not-for-profit based in British Columbia, Canada. Vela Canada assists individuals with disabilities in taking greater control of their lives by exploring ideas that can lead to customized, inclusive and creative supports through developing a Microboard or accessing Individualized Funding. There are now over 1,100 Microboards in BC alone.
Vela Canada, known internationally as the experts on the development of Microboards, was the first organization in the world to offer this focused service. They have been gaining traction and have been asked to help international family groups, organizations and governments throughout Canada, Australia, the United States, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland.
What is a Microboard?
A Microboard is a small (micro) group of committed family and friends (a minimum of 5 people) who join with an individual with a disability to create a non-profit society (board). Together, they help the individual plan his/her life, advocate for what they need, monitor services and ensure they are safe. They also help the individual connect with their community, manage funding and monies, and do fun things together.
About Gabrielle Miller
Gabrielle Miller is a Canadian Screen and Leo Award-winning actor with over 90 acting credits to her name. Born in Vancouver, BC, she currently lives between Vancouver and the Kootenay Mountains. Gabrielle is currently voicing her character of 'Lacey' from Corner Gas for the second season of the animated version of the show. Gabrielle is delighted to be joining the Board of Directors for Vela Canada, an organization that has helped so many people, including her sister, who was the first beneficiary of a Microboard in 1989.
Contact
Alexi McGreer
Public Engagement Manager
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778-899-5394
W5 GROWING UP SACRED SERIES
THE ZERO PROJECT CONFERENCE 2018
The 2018 Zero Project Conference was held February 21-23 at the United Nations in Vienna. Vela's Executive Director, Linda Perry and Facilitator, Caitlin Goodsell, were in attendance. Once again Vela was honoured to be presenting at this international event. The Zero Project is committed to a world without barriers. More updates from the conference will be posted as soon as available - The Zero Project
In February 2015 Linda Perry, our Executive Director, and Maria Glaze, Vela's President, were preparing to fly to the United Nations headquarters in Vienna to receive The Zero Project Innovative Practice Award along with 39 other participants. It was such an honour to be recognized for our innovative work with Microboards, supported decision making and Individualized Funding.
The following year we were invited back, so Linda and Kim Thomas, our Development Officer, packed their bags!
The Zero Project is internationally recognized for their comitment to a world without barriers for persons with disabilities. One of the ways they do this is by researching innovative practices and policies worldwide. Their aim is to promote solution-oriented approaches to decision–makers and opinion-leaders worldwide. The February 10-12, 2016 conference focused on inclusive education and information and communications technologies. We were honoured to be given the opportunity to be involved two years in a row.
Don't miss reading about Bree-Anna Robertson's 2015 contribution. At the conference Linda presented on Microboards and supported decision making featuring Bree-Anna. If you are a regular reader of our Newsletter, VelaVision, then you already know about Bree-Anna's love of travel and volunteer spirit. Bree-Anna is an example to the world of how a Microboard is a solution to supported decision making. The Microboard concept is transferable to communities - large and small - urban and rural - around the world.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Bree-Anna for allowing us to use her as an example of how Microboards can change peoples lives.
LINDA PERRY
Our own Linda Perry is interviewed by Barinder Rasode on She Talks! “She Talks Radio is an open platform for woman to share with each other, to be vulnerable, to be supportive, to be powerful. Be part of a woman’s journey as she shares her story without skirting the issues.” Thank you Linda for sharing your personal journey as a parent through adoption.
BREE IN AUSTRALIA
Our own Bree Robertson is in the news again! Bree's story about her trip to Australia is now online on the Self Advocate Net website. Check out Bree's story and interesting articles by others at the Self Advocate Net website. This is a great website created by self-advocates with DiversAbilities for self-advocates and their supporters worldwide.
CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER
Check out new video content on Conversations That Matter. Membership to the video library is only $20/year!!
- Safe Support: Non-Coercive Alternatives to Restraint - Ruth Siegfried And Kim Love
- What is ABA? - Amythest Schaber
Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift are working on the following videos that can also be used as training tools for your staff:
- Mentoring: A Vital Aspect of Training Direct Support Workers - Sheldon Schwitek
- What are Some Good Therapies for Autistic Individuals? - Amythest Schaber - Ask an Autistic
READY FOR THE FUTURE
A few years ago Terry Robertson, our Vela Facilitator in the north, presented her family’s Microboard story at an Aging Conference in Prince George. Afterwards, she was asked to write a story for a book CLBC was developing on Aging.
ZERO PROJECT CONFERENCE. 2015 - 2016 - 2017
In February 2015 Linda Perry, our Executive Director, and Maria Glaze, Vela's President, were preparing to fly to the United Nations headquarters in Vienna to receive The Zero Project Innovative Practice Award along with 39 other participants. It was such an honour to be recognized for our innovative work with Microboards, supported decision making and Individualized Funding.
The following year we were invited back, so Linda and Kim Thomas, our Development Officer, packed their bags!
The Zero Project is internationally recognized for their comitment to a world without barriers for persons with disabilities. One of the ways they do this is by researching innovative practices and policies worldwide. Their aim is to promote solution-oriented approaches to decision–makers and opinion-leaders worldwide. The February 10-12, 2016 conference focused on inclusive education and information and communications technologies. We were honoured to be given the opportunity to be involved two years in a row.
Don't miss reading about Bree-Anna Robertson's 2015 contribution. At the conference Linda presented on Microboards and supported decision making featuring Bree-Anna. If you are a regular reader of our Newsletter, VelaVision, then you already know about Bree-Anna's love of travel and volunteer spirit. Bree-Anna is an example to the world of how a Microboard is a solution to supported decision making. The Microboard concept is transferable to communities - large and small - urban and rural - around the world.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Bree-Anna for allowing us to use her as an example of how Microboards can change peoples lives.
