Our Mission – It keeps us going
Mission Statement
Empowering our community through health and wellness initiatives centered on adaptive sports and environmental programs. We transform lives by turning dreams into reality for individuals with diverse disabilities.
Our Values
Our History
Founded on September 11, 2019, by two-time Paralympian Jacqui Kapinowski, Shifting Gears United (SGU) has been dedicated to empowering thousands of wounded veterans and individuals with disabilities in Palm Beach County. Jacqui’s vision stems from a lifetime of perseverance and athletic excellence—surviving two bouts of bacterial meningitis, living with the rare Stiff Person Syndrome, and overcoming cancer. Drawing on her experience as a member of Team USA in both the Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, a nine-time world champion across four sports, and a Paralympic Hall of Fame inductee, Jacqui has transformed her personal journey into a movement.
Since our founding, SGU has provided adaptive sports programs, specialized equipment, coaching, and educational clinics designed to inspire, rehabilitate, and unite those we serve. Our commitment reaches hundreds each year and includes handcycling clinics, accessible tandem cycling for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, adaptive kayaking, paddleboarding, water aerobics, adaptive snorkeling and inclusive community wellness events. We support veterans, first responders, and people of all abilities with opportunities for mentorship, competition, and recreation, free of charge.
At SGU, we believe the power of sports and community brings us together as a family—demonstrating every day that “The Only Constant is Change.” Through volunteering and collaborative projects, we give back to the community while building pathways for rehabilitation, inclusion, and personal growth.
