The Team
Meet Simona
Simona DeMarchi, Clinic Owner, Physiotherapist
Cuevas MEDEK Exercises (CME) IV Certified Practitioner and Instructor
With a love of kids for as long as she can remember, Simona knew she would build a career centered around children. However, it wasn’t until her final clinical placement in PT school that she realized the start of her true calling. Inspired by a little boy with Cerebral Palsy whom she met during that placement, Simona began to explore what was known as MEDEK therapy at that time. And, although she participated in a variety of paediatric courses during her early years as a physiotherapist, CME has always been what has resonated with Simona most.
Learn more about Simona and her team below
Simona has more than 25 years experience treating babies and children with motor delay. She holds both a Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, the community in which she was born and raised, as well as a Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy, from the University of Toronto. She has since been a member in good standing of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and has practiced exclusively in the field of paediatrics throughout her career.
Under the direct instruction and mentorship of Ramon Cuevas, the Founder and Creator of Cuevas MEDEK Exercises (CME), Simona has become not only a highly respected member of the CME leadership team, but also a global authority in CME therapy. As such, she divides her professional time between direct clinical care for families in need and clinical instruction and mentorship for colleagues. She is blessed to welcome visitors from around the world to SDPT, while also having the opportunity to travel at points to share her expertise.
As often as life permits, Simona also travels to visit Ramon for her own continued clinical mentorship. On a number of occasions to date, this has taken her as far as the CME International Center in Santiago, Chile. As CME is not static, in that Ramon is always creating new exercises and, at times, refining things of the past, Simona considers her continued visits with Ramon a critical component of her ongoing commitment to clinical excellence in CME therapy.
Meet Effie
Effie is mom to Petros, an incredible little boy with Cerebral Palsy. Born at just 22 weeks gestation, “P” has had to fight from his very first breath. In fact, since beginning CME therapy at SDPT, P has harnessed that strength and has made incredible gains in his motor development. Gains so significant that Effie has been inspired to raise her voice in support of other families. Families who, like her own, work tirelessly to provide the best resources for their children with motor delay. Effie will always be P’s biggest supporter and #1 fan but, by her own experience seeing what CME has done for her son, she has also become a passionate supporter of SDPT, and CME as a whole.
With excellent organizational skills, Effie has been an invaluable addition to the SDPT team. She has transitioned into the role of Client Support Manager and offers her support to Simona and the clients who entrust SDPT to be a part of their journey, be this therapists or families. So, if you’d like to reach out by email, it may be Effie who will reply. And if you’d like to know more about CME from a parent’s perspective, please ask as she’s more than happy to share her insights and all that CME has done for her son!
Meet Charlie
Charlie, aka the SDPT pup, is a sweet labradoodle who has become a beloved friend of many children and adults alike at SDPT. Charlie may be found laying on the floor during sessions (always with permission to be included) and, if you have a treat for him, may even show you a little trick or two! Thanks to the pandemic and a work from home transition for his dad, Charlie doesn’t visit SDPT quite as often as he used to but, if a special request is made, can usually find the time in his busy schedule to drop by. So, if you’d like to see him, we’ll see what we can do to have him make a guest appearance. The only thing he asks for in return is that you make sure his mom doesn’t forget the treat bag!