Ex-Marine and Former NY Representative Faces Multimillion-Dollar Recovery Journey
In a tragic turn of events, former U.S. Representative Michael Grimm, 54, has been left paralyzed from the chest down following a severe polo accident, marking a dramatic change in fortune for the controversial former congressman from New York.
The accident
According to Vincent Ignizio, a former New York City council member and close friend of Grimm, the devastating incident occurred during a polo tournament in September. Grimm suffered severe injuries after being thrown from his horse during the competition.
Current status
“Through the grace of God and the amazing medical teams who have helped him, Mr Grimm has miraculously threaded the needle to survive,” states the official fundraising page established for his medical care.
The former congressman is currently receiving specialized treatment at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey – the same facility where late actor Christopher Reeve received treatment following his horseback riding accident in 1995.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his support for the former congressman on Monday: “Grimm is a Marine veteran, and as we honour our nation’s service members this Veteran’s Day, I hope for a full and speedy recovery,” he wrote on X, adding that he was “deeply saddened” by the accident.
Financial challenges
The road to recovery presents significant financial hurdles. According to Ignizio and the fundraising page, the treatment required to potentially restore Grimm’s ability to walk could cost “millions of dollars.” His friend reports that despite the challenges, Grimm remains determined: “His ultimate goal is to get himself to walk again.”
Political background
Grimm’s political career, which began with his election to the House in 2010, has been marked by both service and controversy. Before entering politics, he served as a Marine and FBI agent, representing Staten Island and part of Brooklyn in Congress. However, his tenure was cut short following a federal investigation into his finances.
In 2015, Grimm was sentenced to eight months in prison after being convicted of tax evasion. Prosecutors successfully demonstrated that he had under-reported wages and revenue to avoid various taxes, including payroll, income, and sales taxes.
As Grimm faces this new challenge, his support system, including former colleagues and constituents, has rallied around him. The focus has shifted from his controversial past to his recovery journey at one of the nation’s premier rehabilitation facilities.