In Glendale, veterans injured on the front lines are discovering a new avenue for rehabilitation: the pickleball court. ABC15 reports that Semper Fi & America’s Fund is facilitating a pickleball clinic tailored to assist these warriors in both physical and mental recovery through participation in this increasingly popular sport.
Free Pickleball Clinic
The nonprofit veterans’ group Semper Fi and America’s Fund hosts a free pickleball clinic every Thursday at the Glendale Chicken N Pickle. This initiative helps injured veterans engage in sports to promote their physical and mental well-being.
Navy Veteran Michael Smith, whose left leg was amputated following a helicopter crash, serves as an instructor at these sessions. He emphasizes, “There’s no limitations. If you can’t do it, we’ll find a way that you can do it.”
Among the participants is Paul McQuigg, who served in the Marines from 1997 and was deployed to over 20 countries. In 2006, he sustained critical injuries from an IED explosion, resulting in a shattered jaw, damaged tongue, and PTSD.
Reflecting on the training sessions, McQuigg sounds upbeat, stating, “If the body feels good, the mind feels good, right? If you have the right people in the corner and if you also have something that inspires you to keep on going, that can make a world of difference.”
McQuigg’s journey exemplifies the transformative potential of such activities for our nation’s heroes.
Wounded Warrior Project
Meanwhile, in Texas, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has embraced pickleball and racquetball as means to support those who served. Inspired by his son’s military service, Mark Waldorf initiated a tournament in Coppell, Texas, which has raised over $50,000 in nine years.
Service members like Nick Morrison express profound gratitude towards the civilian population for their support, describing it as both “surreal” and “humbling.”
These community events offer both entertainment and a fitness outlet while raising funds for a noble cause. Players like Leon Atencio and Melissa McMahon find pickleball to be an enjoyable and unifying experience that connects them with fellow veterans.
Mark’s initiative has evolved from a modest gathering to a significant event attracting over 200 players. He now wants to expand the program further, potentially involving professional players in future tournaments.
Deeply Moved
Waldorf is deeply moved when discussing his son Collin’s service in the U.S. Army, driving his commitment to improving the lives of active-duty service members and veterans. He initiated pickleball and racquetball tournaments to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP).
Mark and his companions organize the WWP Pickleball and Racquetball Shootouts in Coppell, Texas, raising over $50,000 in nine years. Through pickleball, they raise awareness of the ongoing needs of military service members and their families.
“There are many servicemen and women who need help,” Mark emphasizes. “We’re here because we’re not afraid to take that first step to help them – and it’s not only the soldier who’s missing an arm or a leg. It’s not just the visible injuries.”
In 2023, Mark and his team hosted 20 racquetball players and over 200 pickleball players at the Wagon Wheel Tennis and Pickleball Courts in Coppell, Texas.
Participants like Atencio are inspired by veterans’ stories, recognizing the importance of supporting them both abroad and upon their return.
“I’m fairly new to the game,” he says. “What inspired me to come out is our veterans. I travel overseas as a contractor, and I know that we’ve got to support our troops going there and coming back.
“It’s amazing to be able to play a fun sport, support our veterans, and be immersed in the community.”
“You Have Got To Have Fun”
Air Force veteran McMahon discovered pickleball through WWP events, finding it to be not only enjoyable but also a source of connection with other veterans.
“It is fun; that is the first rule; you have got to have fun,” she says. “And some of the friendliest people I have ever met are on the pickleball court.”
“I have some good friends now, almost like adopted uncles, and I just love them. It became a safe place to play because they also understood. Even though it was a different generation, they also understood what it was like to have served and the aftereffects, too.”
Through these initiatives, Mark and his community demonstrate a commitment to supporting veterans:
“If you’re interested in supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, they’re 100% behind you and will help you through the process,” he says. The website has great tools and specific steps you can take.
“Everybody loves the military, and there are not too many organizations better than the Wounded Warrior Project for supporting the military.”
Visit the Wounded Warrior Project website to learn more about how individuals from all walks of life support injured veterans and discover ways to contribute.
