Our Gait Specialists
Meet Our Clinicians
We are a team of passionate Gait Specialists trained to help improve mobility and gait issues using the latest in biomechanical analysis tools, assistive technology, and physiotherapy.
Marissa Chapman
Othortist
Marissa Chapman is the lead orthotist servicing The Gait Clinic. Marissa holds a Masters Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from La Trobe University and works at Orthotics Plus in Forest Hill and Malvern.
Marissa thoroughly enjoys working with complex neuromuscular patients, including cerebral palsy in adults and children.
Prior to her work at Orthotics Plus, Marissa worked in a specialist paediatric role for 5 years, seeing a wide variety of children for an assortment of different orthoses with a specific focus on neuromuscular and treating babies with hip dysplasia and children with fractures and sports injuries.
Marissa has continued her training by completing the world renowned course by Elaine Owens specialising in segmental kinematics which covers in-depth how orthotic interventions can influence gait.
Marissa is a current member of the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association.
Previously a school teacher, Marissa also enjoys Pilates, cooking and visits to cafés. Ask her about her famous cookie recipe.
Penny Feder
Senior Neurological Physiotherapist
Penny has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, a Masters in Health majoring in stroke, and over a decade of clinical experience in neurological rehabilitation. She is the clinical lead physiotherapist for adult services at Klint leading staff learning and development, and ensuring Klint clients receive exceptional interventions. Penny is passionate about improving independence, maximising function, and enabling neurological clients to constantly surprise and challenge her with their resilience, aptitude and potential. She has worked in neurology in many of the major public hospitals in Melbourne and has a vast knowledge of neurological care pathways and key health practitioners.
Penny has advanced level training in the Bobath Concept, a problem-based clinical approach to treating neurological conditions. She has also completed research in optimising rehabilitation using self-directed therapy approaches. Her professional aims are to empower her clients and to maximise neuroplasticity in their recovery.
Penny has particular expertise in Stroke, Guillain Barre, Multiple Sclerosis, Facial Palsy, and Functional Neurological Disorders. She has postgraduate training in neurological hydrotherapy rehabilitation, spasticity management, upper limb rehabilitation, gait and running retraining and complex seating prescription, facial reanimation, and vestibular dysfunction. She has worked concurrently with many other health professionals including occupational therapists, speech pathologists, neuropsychologists and physicians to provide a holistic approach to achieving her clients’ goals and has learned many helpful techniques to maximise functional, cognitive and social abilities.
Klint clients may see her pop up in their sessions as our Klint therapists collaboratively work together to challenge the limits of an individual’s physical and neurological potential.