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, pals told The Post on Sunday.
The 45-year-old Marine veteran is being treated at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey — where late “Superman’’ movie star Christopher Reeve also recovered after being paralyzed from the neck down from a fall from a horse.
Grimm’s injuries are so severe that friends have started a GoFundMe to raise money for the extensive, yearslong medical expenses he is expected to incur.
“I hate to even say it. Mike is paralyzed from the chest down,” said pal Vincent Ignizio, a former Republican councilman and current deputy executive director of the New York City Board of Elections.
Ignizio has frequently visited Grimm and noted that he was moved from a hospital to the rehabilitation center last week.
“He’s currently immobilized and is currently being treated to try to give him the function that he can obtain. A lot of prayers are needed,” Ignizio told The Post.
Grimm was an intense, fit, hard-charging military veteran — and looked the part.
He could flash a smile to light up a room but was also quick to anger — once threatening on live television to throw a NY1 reporter off a balcony in the US Capitol building after the journo asked him about his legal woes.
“Our friend, 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 Needs Fund. “He has been in the most devastating of situations and through the grace of God, Mr. Grimm has miraculously thread the needle to survive.
“Yet, his ongoing care and the treatment to walk again will cost millions of dollars. For a man who has dedicated his life to helping others, we now humbly ask that you give generously to help him.”
More than $36,000 had been raised as of Sunday afternoon.
Even former Brooklyn city Councilman Domenic Recchia, who lost when he ran against Grimm for Congress in 2014, donated $250 to his onetime political nemesis.
“This isn’t a Democratic or Republican issue. It’s a human issue. He’s a human being,” Recchia said.
“Michael Grimm gave his life for our country in the Armed Services. We have to unite together.
“It was a tragic accident. Hopefully one day he’ll walk again.”
State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, chairman of the Staten Island Republican Party, pleaded with as many people as possible to come to Grimm’s aid.
“Congressman Grimm is a dedicated public servant who served us on the battlefield and in the halls of Congress. We need to join together as one community to help Michael in his time of need,” Tannousis said.
Grimm was thrown off a horse during a polo tournament Sept. 22, according to the GoFundMe page.
He represented Staten Island and southern Brooklyn in Congress from 2010 to January 2015.
He won re-election in 2014 while under indictment for tax evasion. But he resigned after his re-election and pleaded guilty for under-reporting income from an Upper East Side restaurant he once co-owned and paying staffers off the books.
Grimm served seven months in prison.
He attempted a political comeback in 2018 but lost in a Republican primary to then-Republican Rep. Dan Donovan.
Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis now represents the 11th House District.
