Valerie Rose Simon
Founder & Pro Pickleball Player
My name is Valerie Rose, and I’m a 17-year-old from Florida (Originally New York). I’ve made my mark on the world not only with a powerful forehand on the tennis and pickleball courts, but through an unshakable determination to make a difference.
I rose quickly to become one of the top- ranked national junior tennis players—until my dreams were suddenly put on hold by multiple bone fractures and misdiagnoses leading to two major bone surgeries less than a year apart from each other.What should have been the hardest chapter of my life became the moment that changed my purpose forever.
Instead of letting these challenges define me, I chose to rise above them.
That choice led to the creation of Serve for Strength, a foundation built to support individuals facing health and medical challenges.I started this organization with one simple hope: to help others who are suffering.I know how hard it is—and no one should ever have to go through it alone.
Our first Serve for Strength event was a charity pickleball tournament at Saddlebrook Resort.Every dollar raised went toward helping patients in need of life – changing bone surgeries, benefiting the Dr.Drakos Foot and Ankle Department—the very place that helped me get back on my feet, literally.
We continue to host community events because through community we can accomplish anything we put our minds to and truly make an impact:
Today, the titanium pins in my body are symbols of my strength and resilience. I like to think of myself as Supergirl, because with every step I take, I’m defying the odds.
Together, we can make the world a better place—one serve at a time.
Latest Post
Valerie's Journey
SEPTEMBER 2022: PULLED OUT OF THE BOBBY CURTIS - FLORIDA'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS TENNIS TOURNAMENT DUE TO ANKLE PAIN
Much to my surprise, my family was picking up our new puppy early (as a hurricane was on its way). TBH I was in lots of pain – but the new puppy took my mind off of the pain 🙂
NOVEMBER 2022: SOME SISTERS GET MATCHING TATTOOS. WE GOT MATCHING BOOTS
My sister and I happened to be injured at the same time. My mom threw me in a boot even though my orthopedist told me that nothing was wrong with my ankle and I did not need to stop playing sports. In the end – Tori healed and I did not, because I was misdiagnosed…
December 2022: MRI Results;
POV: "You're told nothing is wrong but you can't walk"
Being told nothing is wrong doesn’t make the pain disappear. After being told by the orthopedist that the Xray & MRI results say I’m fine, but still suffering daily. My mom & I insisted on getting another MRI. Hopeful to get to the bottom of what is causing such pain (this will be the second one in a couple months) with positive, hopeful results—still managing pain.
First Day Out of the Boot!
Celebrated My Sister's Special Birthday Party! - Smiling through the pain...
A beautiful day filled with joy, family, and unforgettable moments. Smiled because truly happy for them… but the pain was still there.
Turned 15 at the Miami Open 2023!
Celebrated turning 15 while at the Miami Open 2023 (& followed it up with an at-home birthday party)! We drove down together as a family, and though the trip was awesome, not going to lie, it was a little hard for me at first to watch tennis while being on the sidelines. I did not know if I would get back to playing tennis. But there was something special about healing in the presence of what I was fighting to get back to.
Rehab'd My Foot Back from the Boot!
When I was cleared for physical therapy, I committed fully — disciplined, hopeful, convinced I was on the path back to a pain-free life. Still, the ankle pain lingered.
I got the all clear to return to sport...but sadly something felt wrong.
Flying to Hospital for Special Surgeries
So apparently I'm not crazy - and the bone is REALLY REALLY broken
Here’s a pic of my pre-op meal—nothing but liquids and a whole lot of nerves lol. Also – here is a picture of Vanessa (my sister) and I walking to the hospital for my first meeting with the surgeon, Dr. Mark Drakos @ Hospital For Special Surgery. Dr. Drakos was really kind. He reviewed my past 7 MRI results with me and told me that my navicular bone tried to heal on its own (when I booted it and sat out), but it couldn’t… It needed help. So..I had internal navicular fixation surgery placing 2 titanium rods in my navicular bone. I am now the Bionic Girl.
Officially the Bionic Girl
Bionic Girl Moves to NYC for New and Specialized Treatment
In order to get back on my feet as quickly as possible, I began blood flow restriction therapy, which at the time was only available in New York City, committing to sessions every two days; although the therapy took a lot out of me, I pushed forward, and little by little I could feel my foot growing stronger again, and that steady progress gave me hope and reinforced my belief that this therapy played an important role in my recovery.
Healing in NYC ... through PT, family & food
As I go through the healing process in NYC, I am grateful for the support of my family and friends. I am also grateful for the NYC food that makes me feel better.
Still working my way out of the Wheelchair...
PT has become a regular part of my life… Trying to regain strength and trying to find the courage to do so while in a wheelchair is tough. Things are harder than they were before the pain started… but I persevere… I can see progress in each PT session, but life is harder than I hoped…. staying positive & it helps that Vanessa flew in to help me (& not just push me around in a wheelchair LOL)
Water Therapy ... Supposed to get me back sooner... I'll do it !
So – I added yet another form of therapy … water therapy – this was crazy as I had to stand there in an empty clear upstanding tub, while the water would rise to the level indicated by how much weight I was able to put on my foot.
#therapy #s4s #watertherapy #rehab #dedication
Out of the wheelchair! I'm allowed a scooter
I am now allowed to use a scooter, which is going to give me some independence again! Apparently at this stage, the pins have settled a bit, so my surgeon is allowing me to roll around in a scooter. It’s honestly kind of fun.
#therapy #rehab #commitment # dedication
Crutches are the New Me!!! I am allowed to start walking again, one step closer to "Normal."
I got the all-clear to begin walking with crutches! In order to see how much weight I am allowed to put down on the floor I had to put my foot on a scale and weigh it. Every week I am given an amount of weight I can out on my foot by Dr.Drakos. It feels very weird to be trying to walk with crutches again.
Some Days are More Challenging than Others...
Some days I wake up in a lot of pain, some days PT does not go as well as I hoped, and sometimes I feel as though I’m taking 2 steps backwards… I’ve learned this is normal. There are days the pain serves as a constant reminder that I have so much to overcome… Nevertheless, Jeff Varghese of HSS Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center is positive and encourages me to move forward slowly. I am truly thankful the staff here is so kind!
Ok so sadly... I took a step backwards...
The wound opened up and I can’t go in the water any more. I had been swimming to stay in shape and to do physical therapy underwater to nurse my ankle back to health. However, the wound opened up and I can’t get it wet anymore. This is a picture of it when it started to heel. (I am not posting the yucky oozing pics I sent to poor Dr. Drakos lol). This took FOREVER to heal I tried new creams and honey type balms & medicines to prevent infection and they worked well, it just took a lot of time.
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
BFR – It’s a good send. This helps me do so much more than regular PT. I am so lucky to have found a place to do this.
#healing #journey #teenager #recovery #rehabilitation
I'm 25% weight bearing! Look at me go!!
This may not seem like a lot – but week by week I have been adding how much weight I can put down on my foot. Soon I’ll be able to walk fully!!
50%!! I'm halfway there!!
I can put even more weight on my foot! This is not so comfortable for me, as it means I have to have more strength in my ankle and surrounding muscles, too. Honestly, this is probably the hardest thing that I have to do – trust my foot more.
I'm 75% weight bearing today !
Down to one crutch!! I’m feeling much stronger and, as you can tell from the video, really scared. It is taking a lot of time to be able to walk with only one crutch because I really have to trust myself. On the bright side, at least my left arm is getting really strong!
100% Weight Bearing and WALKING!!!!
Walking in Disney World… the Happiest Place on Earth… and today for me as a 15 year old who can walk again – it is!!
Now Back to HSS for the Back to Life/Sport Physical Therapy Journey ...
Back at Hospital for Special Surgery in the PT department…. working hard but I feel so much better now that I am on two feet again… This type of PT is different than the recovery part – here I know I am going to walk again – whereas before the surgery – I was hoping to be able to walk again. So for this part of the PT journey – I push myself to get back to sport. To get back to real life.
So close yet so far away... thankful for family & for the PT @HSS
Family Support has helped me to get where I am today… with out my family – I don’t know where I would be…. HSS Support has also been amazing – Jeff continues to be by my side… things are even harder now as I want to be back to where I was… I can see the process I’ve made, but yet I’m so far away…
Back to Sport - Light Sport - Scar looks better, ankle is strong
Dr. Drakos gave me the green light to return to sport – he said to Hit like I’m playing with a 12 year old ! What?? I am a top nationally ranked junior tennis player.. . this will feel weird – but I am just happy to get back to playing tennis… ALSO – I have to play with carbon plates in my sneakers! Those are heavy and stiff – but I’ll take it 🙂 happy to play !
Tournaments never felt so Good
Victoria (Tori) & I had the Best Time. I returned from NYC where Dr. Drakos approved my playing tournaments again. I started with a doubles tournament where I got to play with my sister Tori in Seminole, Florida. What an amazing experience – love playing with Tori and love playing tennis competitively – again.
After only being back to sport a couple months - collapsed.
My other foot felt broken :(. Here we are back on the plane to NYC – to visit Dr. Drakos again. We are putting on brave faces, but we are scared – at least, I know I am.
BIONIC GIRL part 2
My other foot had compensated for so long (When I was being misdiagnosed), and then through rehab. This coupled with an old ankle fracture I got at a camp years ago meant I needed to have the same surgery. Internal Navicular Fixation for my Left Ankle as well. I now have 4 titanium rods in my body.
I will Be Optimistic... I will Pray this goes well.... back to BFR.
I hope and pray every day that I will regain use of my operated-on foot. I am optimistic having gone through the surgery on my right ankle, that my left ankle will heal and get strong again soon. I choose courage. I choose strength. I choose to be positive.
BLOG day 3 post op
This is Me… Day 3 post op..
Back at it.. treatments & PT... the journey ahead of me is long but My Family Makes it Fun
I am trying to remain positive… I have pain every day – a feeling I remember from the first surgery. However… we have fun as a family. Here we are at the Billy Joel concert.