Meet the Team

Christopher Ristic – Registered Occupational Therapist

Christopher Ristic, a Venezuelan with Trinidadian roots studied Occupational Therapy at Colegio Universitario de Rehabilitación May Hamilton. He began his career working with children diagnosed with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, vascular stroke, fine motor problems, and sensory processing disorder in the comfort of their homes. Christopher is trained in aqua therapy and is passionate about the benefits that can be dervided from this modality. He particular likes splinting and making prostheses for amputees. He looks forward to sharing his experience with the team and is optimistic about opportunities for continued professional development. In his free time you can find Christopher at the beach and hanging with friends.

Jessica Holder - Occupational Therapy Assistant

Jessica is one of those OTs who always has a smile on her face. Jessica, a Canadian with Caribbean roots, enjoys the adventure of traveling, keeping physically active and spending time with family. Jessica graduated from Humber College with an associate's degree as an Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Assistant. She has an interest in furthering her education in neurological disorders/disabilities. She enjoys running CKFTO's weekly motor group for children with cerebral palsy as well as working with her clients in a one on one setting. Jessica is particularly excited about the development of CKFTO's Count Me In Puppet Show. With her background in theatre, she hopes to use her enthusiasm to teach Trinidad and Tobago's school children and teachers about disability awareness and the importance of inclusion as she makes our 3 foot tall puppets come to life to share their stories. When she isn't singing songs, working on building a client's trunk control or helping a child with fine motor delays, Jessica is actively involved in taking care of her young family and volunteering in her community.

Maya Chriqui - Clinical Supervisor/Music Therapist

Maya has been practicing Music Therapy (MT) for 20 years, specializing within the paediatric. She is an Accredited Music Therapist (MTA) and supervisor, holds a Bachelors degree in Music Therapy (BMT) and a certification as a Neurological Music Therapist (NMT). She has conducted numerous workshops and in-services for educators, health care professionals and parents and recently, became a certified Emergency Responder (CPR and First Aid). Maya has treated children from infancy to adulthood with single or multiple neurological, physical, psychological diagnoses such as; Autism, Acquired Brain Injury, Learning challenges (Attention Deficit Disorders with/out Hyperactivity), Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Rhett's Syndrome, Chromosome disorders, Visual/Hearing impaired and Behaviourally/Emotionally challenged.

Karen Litchfield - Occupational Therapist

Karen is an Occupational Therapist (OT) with over 25 years experience. She studied OT at the University of Western Ontario, and currently holds licensing with the Ontario College of OT and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy. Having been a primary school educator for a brief time, she is able to integrate her knowledge of curriculum and teaching strategies with her OT skills, knowledge, and experience. This has proven to be valuable when consulting in the school system and at providing effective learning strategies for students with exceptionalities. Karen is also effective in providing in-services to school personnel and colleagues regarding OT issues, treatments strategies, and foundation skills necessary for academic learning. Karen has a specific interest in sensory integration and has developed expertise in this area. Karen acts as part of the clinical support team at CKFTO.

Natasha Babwah - Puppet Program Co-ordinator

Natasha is know for her golden voice in Trinidad, but at CKFTO she is our Count Me In Puppet Show Co-ordinator and leader of the Sibshop® Program. Natasha just completed her BSC in Speech and Language Science at UWI, prior to this she pursued an undergraduate degree in Music Therapy at University of Miami (UM), but had to withdraw due to family responsibilities here at home. She is a professional vocalist and sings for many private events as well as in the church choir. Natasha's final project was "The use of Music Therapy in the speech and language development of children with cochlear implants in Trinidad and Tobago".

Violet Lezama – General Manager

A native of Trinidad and Tobago and mother of four, with Venezuelan parentage, Violet spent her formative years in Venezuela where she completed her degree in Social Work majoring in Community Development. Violet began her career in the Corporacion Venezolanade Guayana (CVG) where she dedicated 14 years of her life working with Statistics, Social and Community Development. She has also worked in different areas such as Human Resources, Health Program Administrator, English/Spanish Teacher. She migrated to US where she worked as General Manager of a well known retail chain. She is entusiastic about being back home and working in the community for children with special needs.

Deborah Deane - Administrator

Deborah Deane worked at the US embassy in Port of Spain for 37 years, where she was the Local Employment Supervisor for the Immigrant Visa Section. She was also a volunteer at the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society. She started as a volunteer at CKFTO in 2010 and is currently the office administrator.

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What is a disability?

A disability may be defined as a condition which may restrict a person's mental, sensory and/or mobility functions to undertake and/or perform a task in the same way as a person who does not have a disability.

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