STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Former GOP Rep. Michael Grimm is paralyzed from injuries he suffered in a horse riding accident in September, Advance/SILive.com has learned.

Former South Shore City Councilman Vincent Ignizio, who is now deputy director of the New York City Board of Elections, took to Facebook to encourage “prayers and a donation” for Grimm.

He revealed that Grimm is paralyzed and cannot walk due to the accident.

Ignizio posted a link to the GoFundMe page “Help Michael Grimm Walk Again,” which has already raised $15,146 as of 10:23 a.m. on Sunday. The goal is $2.5 million.

Ignizio’s post explained that Grimm “needs assistance to cover the significant costs that insurance will not cover.”

Commenting on Advance/SILive.com, Ignizio called Grimm “a great friend (and) a great patriot,” saying, “Staten Island always steps up when someone is in need, and I am hopeful they do the same. for a former congressman and friend, Michael Grimm.

GoFundMe’s description reads as follows:

“Our friend, former Marine, FBI agent and US Congressman Michael Grimm was left paralyzed after a devastating accident when he was thrown from a horse in September 2024. He has been in the most devastating situations and by the grace of God, Mr. Grimm miraculously threaded the needle to survive. Still, his continued care and 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,” the fundraising page says.

Greg Kelly, a former Fox 5 morning host and Newsmax colleague of Grimm, said in September that Grimm had suffered a neck injury that required surgery, and that Grimm had been in an undisclosed hospital in Westchester.

Grimm was reportedly playing polo when his horse threw him off.

“For a man who has dedicated his life to helping others, we now humbly ask that you give generously to help him and share with others who can do so,” Ignizio wrote.

Grimm has long been an avid equestrian and regularly posts on social media about his time spent at the stables and playing polo.

Grimm represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in the House of Representatives from 2010 until January 2015, when he resigned following a 2014 federal indictment related to fraudulent practices at an Upper East Side health food restaurant partly owned by Grimm.

Ultimately, the former congressman pleaded guilty to tax evasion and served seven months in prison before being released in 2016.

Grimm attempted a comeback to Congress in 2018, but lost a Republican Party primary to incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Donovan, who ultimately lost to Democrat Max Rose that year.

Grimm has largely stayed out of Staten Island politics since then, but has been an outspoken supporter of Republican candidate Marko Kepi, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for Senate this year. The two served in the Marine Corps and share a political mentor in former Brooklyn GOP state Senator Marty Golden.

Kepi ​​also posted the GoFundMe to his Facebook page this morning.