The Children’s Therapy Centre, Eastern Cape

04/03/2026

💚March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month 💚

At The Children’s Therapy Centre, we’re proud to support individuals and families living with cerebral palsy (CP). Through personalised assessment, goal-setting, and evidence-based treatment, physiotherapy plays a vital role in helping children living with CP build strength, improve mobility, increase independence, and participate more fully in the activities they love.

This month is about raising awareness, celebrating achievements, and promoting inclusion, accessibility and early intervention services. Let’s get the conversations going!

25/02/2026

21/02/2026

06/02/2026

Our Therapists:

Meet Tessa Wartnaby.

Tessa is a qualified physiotherapist having completed her studies in 2024. She completed her community service year in 2025 at Dora Nginza regional hospital, a hospital specialising in paediatric care in the Eastern Cape. This exposed her to the management of paediatric patients in various disciplines, and grew her passion and knowledge for paediatric care immensely. She now begins her journey as an independent practitioner with a special interest in paediatric rehabilitation.

Tessa has already started her specialised training in paediatrics by completing her Introduction to Cerebral Palsy Management for Therapists in 2025. She will be continuing this training by completing her Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) training in 2026. She is also trained in level 1 dry needling, Ponseti clubfoot management and has completed online courses in the early intervention of premature infants. Her main passion lies in the management of children with neurological conditions, as well as premature and NICU care. Tessa is also an avid swimmer, having grown up as a competitive swimmer since the age of 8. She hopes to bring her insight into preventing and managing injury in children in sport.

Tessa is committed to continued learning to improve her paediatric patient care. A patient and family centred approach is her top priority, enabling parents and carers to grow in their abilities to independently manage and improve their little ones function and participation.

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 2024 (WITS)

03/02/2026

Our Therapists:

Meet Petronell Clarke.

Petronell is a physiotherapist with over 10 years of experience. She commenced her career as a women’s health physiotherapist, working primarily in the maternity ward. A few years ago she was approached by the NICU Matron and invited to expand her scope of practice to include supporting the care of NICU babies. Recognising the importance of this opportunity, she embarked on a series of specialised courses to enhance her knowledge and skills in managing neurological disabilities in paediatric patients.

This training has enabled her to transition into paediatric physiotherapy, where she has continued to grow and develop her expertise. Petronell has advanced training in the General Movements Assessments. She has developed a love with the field of paediatrics and is dedicated to providing high-quality physiotherapy services to babies and children.

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 2013 (University of the Free State)