Adaptive Pickleball: How This Inclusive Sport is Changing Lives

Adaptive Pickleball (APD) is transforming lives by making the sport accessible to individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental challenges. Founded by Sandy Halkett, this non-profit is not just about playing pickleball - it’s about fostering inclusivity, connection, and empowerment for people of all abilities. 

How Sandy Halkett Brought Adaptive Pickleball to Life

Sandy Halkett has always been passionate about teaching sports. As an LPGA Class A Golf Teaching Professional for over 20 years, she spent decades coaching and leading athletic programs. But in 2020, her journey took an unexpected turn when she founded Adaptive Pickleball. What started as a way to introduce the sport to individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental challenges quickly grew into a movement that’s touching lives in ways Sandy never imagined.

“If someone would have told me when I was younger, ‘When you’re 50, you will create and start a nonprofit,’ I would have thought they were crazy. But here I am!” says Sandy. And thank goodness for that.

What Makes Adaptive Pickleball Perfect for Inclusivity?

APB goes beyond teaching pickleball; it builds a supportive community where everyone belongs. Sandy and her team of volunteers have built a thriving, inclusive pickleball community where individuals of all abilities can experience the joy of movement, camaraderie, and competition.

Adaptive Pickleball is an inclusive version of the sport designed to accommodate individuals with diverse abilities. It offers:

• Modifications for mobility and cognitive needs

• Inclusive coaching and community support

• Special events and tournaments for adaptive players

• A welcoming environment for individuals of all abilities

With support from the Upstate SC Pickleball community, APB has already reached over 1,000 individuals with diverse abilities in just three years. Their impact is nothing short of life-changing.

Stories of Transformation

Every play day at APB is a success story in itself, but there are some that stand out as testaments to the power of pickleball.

Ricky’s Story

At just 17 years old, Ricky suffered a massive ischemic stroke due to a brain aneurysm, leaving him with permanent disabilities, including right-sided weakness, aphasia, and vision loss. Looking for a fresh start, his family moved to Greenville, SC, hoping to find a supportive community for him.

That’s when Ricky found Adaptive Pickleball. His first play day changed everything. He found a place where he felt accepted, challenged, and, most importantly, like an athlete again. His mom shares, “The people of APB are just amazing. They make him feel welcome, which he has not felt in a long time. This organization has been absolutely life-changing for my son.”

Gary’s Story

Gary P., a U.S. military veteran and lower-limb amputee, was struggling with depression and isolation after his injury. Unsure of his future, he felt stuck in a cycle of fear and self-doubt—until he discovered Adaptive Pickleball.

“Adaptive Pickleball didn’t just give me a sport—it gave me hope,” Gary says. Today, he’s not just playing; he’s inspiring others who face similar challenges to pick up a paddle and join in the fun.

The APB Throwdown: A Tournament Like No Other

One of APB’s most impactful events was the APB Diverse-Abilities Throwdown. Four teams, each with three individuals with diverse abilities and one able-bodied player, competed in a tournament like no other. To level the playing field, able-bodied players were given challenges to simulate real-life disabilities—some wore limited-vision goggles, others played in sports wheelchairs, and some used only one hand.

The result? A night of laughter, learning, and an overwhelming sense of community. Music, food, cheering crowds—this wasn’t just a tournament; it was a celebration of inclusivity and the true spirit of pickleball.

More Than a Sport: A Movement

Sandy’s mission with Adaptive Pickleball is clear—to continue changing lives through the power of play. Whether it’s giving someone a newfound sense of purpose, helping a veteran rediscover joy, or creating a space where individuals of all abilities feel valued, APB is proving that pickleball is for everyone.

With every serve, dink, and rally, Adaptive Pickleball is fostering a community where everyone belongs.

Want to be part of the Adaptive Pickleball movement? Visit Adaptive Pickleball to learn how you can volunteer, donate, or participate. Together, we can make pickleball truly inclusive for everyone.