Amazing story of courage continues
By: John Beisser
Overcoming obstacles and testing the limits of her athletic abilities are nothing new for 2002 Hillsborough High School graduate Jessica Galli. Those of you in this community that have been blessed to know Jessica personally, or who have followed her achievements in these pages through the years, will not be surprised to learn she is now the best in the world at what she does.
On June 7, the charismatic and inspiring Galli added the latest chapter in her remarkable athletic career, setting the world record in the wheelchair (T53) 400-meter dash at the 2007 European Wheelchair Championships Swiss Selection Meet World Series in Pratteln, Switzerland.
Galli completed the 400-meter race with a time of 55.82, eclipsing the previous world record set by Tanni Grey-Thompson of Great Britain, whose time of 56.28 had stood since 2003. Galli is now ranked No. 1 in the world for the 100, 200 400 and 800 meters. Last year, she completed a marathon, yes, more than 26 miles of arm-numbing thrusts.
The Jessica Galli story is nothing short of a triumph a triumph of the human spirit. It’s a story of courage, of fortitude, of valor and of determination. For Galli herself, though, it is a non-fiction story. It is real. It is her life.
One day in September, 1991, seven-year old Jessica Galli stepped into the backseat of a car driven by the mother of a friend. Her friend was a passenger as well. Jessica entered the car a healthy, athletically-minded child. Minutes later, the car was involved in a horrific crash. Little did Jessica know when she stepped into the car it would be the last step she would ever take. Her friend’s mom, the driver of the vehicle, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash while her friend escaped with minor injuries. Galli was left a paraplegic.
She spent three weeks at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and another four months at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Montainside, the largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the United States.
Today, at the age of 23, Galli is self-sufficient and even drives a car equipped with hand-operated controls. Confined to a wheelchair at such a tender age is, in many cases, actually less traumatic than incurring such an injury later in life, Galli said.
"Believe it or not, I think it’s actually easier for children who become paraplegics than adults," she said. "I don’t remember much about when I could walk. For an older person who has lived their whole life one way, the transition is much more difficult."
Galli said she is forever indebted to the members of her hometown community for their care and support through the years. Each of the schools she attended in town was accommodating to her needs and she is eternally grateful to the many teachers, administrators and coaches who assisted her along the way.
"As soon as I got back to school and ever since, my friends have been so incredibly supportive," said Galli, who possesses a positive, vibrant personality. "My family and everyone in town have always been there for me."
Galli participated in wheelchair basketball and was a swimmer until she reached high school where she focused on track and field. When it became time to choose a college, Galli and her parents, Phil and Betsy, did their homework and learned that the University of Illinois-Urbana, and the University of Arizona were the only two schools that offered a track and road racing program for disabled athletes. She decided to attend Illinois and graduated in May, 2006 with a degree in kinesiology. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Community Health Policy and Administration.
While Jessica credits her many friends with helping her along the way, she says it is her family that has been the most instrumental in her success.
"My family and I are very close. We argue, like everyone else," she said. "My father was my first coach. It was sad when I decided to leave home for college, but my younger sister Katie followed her big sister out here and so we’re both at the University of Illinois."
Asked if they were roommates, Jessica replied jokingly, "Heck no, we’d kill each other!"
Her track career has taken Galli to all corners of the globe. She competed on the U.S. team in the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia as well as in the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece. Last September, Galli enjoyed her best spring track season, earning world championship victories in the 100 meters and 400 meters in the Netherlands. She also posted a pair of victories in Manchester, England at the Visa World Challenge which was televised live in England. She then went on to Ireland for their national championships, where she performed extremely well.
Navigating her way through the many ancient streets and in the cramped, old buildings found throughout Europe, Galli learned, is much more difficult than in the United States, which is much more progressive in this area thanks in large part to the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Galli said it is likely that she will return to New Jersey once she completes her master’s degree. Still undecided on a concrete career path, she definitely would like to help other wheelchair-bound people in their lives, whether it be on a full-time or volunteer basis.
A typical day for Galli, which includes attending several classes followed by a two-hour workout, includes doing without countless basic things that most people take for granted. With plenty of reasons to be bitter or feel cheated, Jessica Galli approaches each day with an exuberant outlook and a boundless optimism.
This writer’s life was enhanced by a brief conversation with her. She is undoubtedly destined to positively touch the lives of scores of people in the future.
Jessica Galli’s triumphant spirit serves as a lesson to us all.

