Before the first ball was hit, Valerie Simon sat down in a wheelchair. She wanted to feel what her players were about to feel, so she could coach them better.

That small decision set the tone for the Serve for Strength Wheelchair & Adaptive Pickleball Clinic at Wesley Chapel District Park in Florida. Valerie and her sister Victoria, both PPA pros, brought wheelchair pickleball to players of all abilities. Here’s what happened, why it mattered, and how you can get involved.

Inside the wheelchair pickleball clinic

Serve for Strength hosted the clinic with Pasco County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources through its Adaptive & Inclusive Program. Participants included wheelchair players and Special Olympics athletes.

The goal was simple. Give everyone a chance to learn the game, build some skills, meet new people, and have fun.

Wheelchair pickleball uses the same court and most of the same rules as the standing game. The biggest difference: a wheelchair player can let the ball bounce twice before hitting it. That one adjustment opens the game up to a lot more people.

“There were no barriers to belonging, no expectations of perfection, and no pressure to win,” said the sisters’ mother. “It was just people coming together, playing, laughing, and supporting one another.”

The comeback that started it all

Serve for Strength exists because of Valerie’s own recovery. After serious injuries and multiple surgeries, her family wasn’t sure what came next.

“There was a time when we didn’t know if Valerie would walk again nor what her athletic future would look like,” Daniella Simon, her mother said. “Sports had always been such a huge part of her identity, and having that itaken away was devastating.”

Pickleball became part of Valerie’s road back. Eventually, it became a second shot at competing, this time as a pro.

“After everything I went through with my injuries and surgeries, I know what it feels like when your body won’t let you do what you love,” Valerie said. “Pickleball gave me a second chance at sports, and being able to share that opportunity with others means more to me than any medal or tournament victory.”

That’s why sitting in the wheelchair before the clinic mattered to her. She wasn’t just teaching. She was meeting players where they were.

What the players took away

For the participants, the clinic was a chance to compete, move, and learn from pros who wanted them there.

“The professional players were very encouraging and kind as they taught us some of the important parts of the game,” said participant Jimmy Turner. “Anything that allows me to exercise and use my athletic ability is always fun and very appreciated.”

Victoria spent much of her time with Special Olympics athletes getting ready for competition. She focused on the small technical details that pros rely on every day.

“I loved being able to share some of the technical skills and strategies I’ve learned playing professionally, especially the little adjustments that can make a big difference,” Victoria said. “Seeing their excitement when something clicked was such a rewarding feeling!”

For their mom, watching both daughters on the court brought everything full circle.

“Sometimes the biggest victories have absolutely nothing to do with the scoreboard,” Daniella said.

Why adaptive pickleball needs more than one day

Serve for Strength doesn’t want this to be a one-time event. The foundation plans to keep building wheelchair and adaptive pickleball opportunities in the community.

“Inclusivity shouldn’t be a one-day event,” Daniella said. “It should be something we work toward every day.”

The partnership with Pasco County is already continuing. Serve for Strength is co-hosting a training session to help Pasco County athletes prepare for the Special Olympics pickleball division on November 5th.  The foundation also has a Health & Wellness Pickleball event planned for May 22, 2027, supporting Pasco County Adaptive Services.

How to get involved with Serve for Strength

There are plenty of ways to support the work, whether you live in Florida or not:

• Attend an event. Clinics and community programs are planned for the coming months, and are listed on their website: serveforstrength.org.
• Volunteer. Extra hands make adaptive clinics possible.
• Sponsor or donate on their website. Funds support the foundation, medical research, and new community programs.
• Spread the word. Share their work and connect them with your club or local parks department.

The next event is Swing for Strength, a charity golf fundraiser on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. It’s open to experienced golfers and first-timers alike, with raffles, giveaways, and a BBQ lunch.

Visit serveforstrength.org or follow @serveforstrength on Instagram, Facebook or Youtube to learn more. 

Pickleball grew because anyone can pick up a paddle and play. Clinics like this one push that idea a little further. If you want to bring more people into the game, start by checking out adaptive programs near you, or find a DUPR club where every player has a place on the court.

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