Written by Celine Louie
If there is one thing all parents can agree on, it’s that we worry about our kids- constantly.
From the moment of conception, we watch to make sure they are growing and developing as they should be, and whilst we all know the range of ‘normal’ is broad in terms of milestones, at times some children need a little more help than others in reaching their full potential. Spotting a motor delay in our kids can be understandably worrying and sometimes we don’t know where to turn to get the help they need.
Often a child’s developing brain simply needs a little extra help to develop new pathways in order to grasp and continue developing certain fine and gross motor skills, and this is where Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) therapy has proven to show amazing results.
Allan Villappaly, owner of ProMelius saw a need to help these children, “Previously parents with children that needed this service were travelling to Brisbane, which affected the whole family. I saw a need to bring these specialised services to Hervey Bay.”
Allan has completed his Masters Degree in Sport Physiotherapy and another Masters degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Adding DMI therapy to his list of qualifications, Allan is currently the only practitioner of DMI between Brisbane and Townsville, treating children from as young as 6 months up to 8 years old.
This has prompted him to also complete a Basic and Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy from Monash University and enrol in a Masters degree in Paediatric Physiotherapy in order to fill the gap in treating our younger population in the region.
Like so many of us who find ourselves on the Fraser Coast, Allan never planned to come and live in Hervey Bay but upon arriving for a 3 month working holiday in 2019, he automatically fell in love with our beautiful beaches and way of life, forgoing his plans to move to Melbourne.
Now based in a new beachside clinic, ProMelius is getting busier by the day as word gets out. With four other therapists, the ProMelius team is equipped to take on clients of all ages and needs, senior Physiotherapist Alex also being the only Cardio Respiratory Physiotherapist in Hervey Bay.
Not one to sit back and see a need unfulfilled, Allan is a part of the External Advisory Committee for UniSC (University of the Sunshine Coast), who are working on bringing Physiotherapy to the Fraser Coast campus in 2025.
“Currently kids leave school and go down south to study at university, and then don’t want to come back to Hervey Bay. If we can deliver this course in Hervey Bay, you’ll notice a lot more will stay back here and help the community, and that is our vision.”
Intent on making positive change, he sponsors a wide range of teams and local groups, as well as collaborating on his latest project bringing U-Beach (Universal Beach) to Hervey Bay; an initiative launched by CQUniversity to allow people of all abilities access to our beautiful beaches.
“Launched in Bundaberg, they have community beach days, with mats and wheelchairs. So we joined hands with them and thought why not bring this to Hervey Bay. We are in talks with the council and a few community stakeholders and with their support, we will be launching this in the future. Our goal is to sponsor at least a few wheelchairs in the Surf Lifesaving Club for anyone to use.”
Allan may only be new to town, but his vision and dedication to improving our little piece of paradise is certainly something to cherish and support. To find out more visit promelius.com.au