Former Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm has been left paralyzed from the chest down after falling off of a horse in a freak polo accident in September, buddies advised The Put up on Sunday.
The 45-year-old Marine veteran is being handled at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey — the place late “Superman’’ film star Christopher Reeve additionally recovered after being paralyzed from the neck down from a fall from a horse.
Grimm’s accidents are so extreme that mates have began a GoFundMe to boost cash for the intensive, yearslong medical bills he’s anticipated to incur.
“I hate to even say it. Mike is paralyzed from the chest down,” mentioned pal Vincent Ignizio, a former Republican councilman and present deputy government director of the New York Metropolis Board of Elections.
Ignizio has often visited Grimm and famous that he was moved from a hospital to the rehabilitation middle final week.
“He’s at present immobilized and is at present being handled to attempt to give him the perform that he can receive. Quite a lot of prayers are wanted,” Ignizio advised The Put up.
Grimm was an intense, match, hard-charging navy veteran — and appeared the half.
He may flash a smile to gentle up a room however was additionally fast to anger — as soon as threatening on stay tv to throw a NY1 reporter off a balcony within the US Capitol constructing after the journo requested him about his authorized woes.
“Our pal, former Marine, FBI Agent, and US Congressman Michael Grimm was paralyzed following a devastating accident when thrown from a horse in September 2024,” reads the GoFundMe sponsored by the Michael Grimm Supplemental Wants Fund. “He has been in essentially the most devastating of conditions and thru the grace of God, Mr. Grimm has miraculously thread the needle to outlive.
“But, his ongoing care and the therapy to stroll once more will value hundreds of thousands of {dollars}. For a person who has devoted his life to serving to others, we now humbly ask that you just give generously to assist him.”
Greater than $36,000 had been raised as of Sunday afternoon.
Even former Brooklyn metropolis Councilman Domenic Recchia, who misplaced when he ran in opposition to Grimm for Congress in 2014, donated $250 to his onetime political nemesis.
“This isn’t a Democratic or Republican difficulty. It’s a human difficulty. He’s a human being,” Recchia mentioned.
“Michael Grimm gave his life for our nation within the Armed Providers. We now have to unite collectively.
“It was a tragic accident. Hopefully in the future he’ll stroll once more.”
State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, chairman of the Staten Island Republican Get together, pleaded with as many individuals as doable to return to Grimm’s assist.
“Congressman Grimm is a devoted public servant who served us on the battlefield and within the halls of Congress. We have to be part of collectively as one neighborhood to assist Michael in his time of want,” Tannousis mentioned.
Grimm was thrown off a horse throughout a polo event Sept. 22, based on the GoFundMe web page.
He represented Staten Island and southern Brooklyn in Congress from 2010 to January 2015.
He gained re-election in 2014 whereas below indictment for tax evasion. However he resigned after his re-election and pleaded responsible for under-reporting revenue from an Higher East Aspect restaurant he as soon as co-owned and paying staffers off the books.
Grimm served seven months in jail.
He tried a political comeback in 2018 however misplaced in a Republican major to then-Republican Rep. Dan Donovan.
Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis now represents the eleventh Home District.