Galli Races into Fourth Paralympics
Jessica Galli started racing at 8 years old. After being paralyzed in a car accident, she used wheelchair racing as a form of rehabilitation. She stuck with it to become one of the fastest female racers in the world, which has led her to qualifying for her fourth Paralympic games in London.
“It's a huge honor to have qualified and to be able to represent my country at a fourth Paralympic Games,” exclaimed Jessica. “I am very excited and think this will be a great Games!”
At age 28, Jessica continues to break national and world records. Her latest was at the US Paralympic Track & Field Trials as she set a world record in the 200 meter with a time of 28.93 seconds. Through the Sydney, Athens, and Beijing Paralympics, she took home six medals and set a world record in the 400 meter in Beijing. She is also a frequent competitor in the annual Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10K, one of the largest integrated races in the country. In her 11 years of competing in the race, she has won her division ten times, including in 2012 where she set a course record.
Raised in Hillsborough, NJ, she spent the latter part of her high school career training with Kessler Foundation’s wheelchair racing team—the WheelBlazers. She even stayed with the team while studying at the University of Illinois. “The team practices were valuable,” she said. “Racing against the faster men on the team helped make me faster.”
While at the University, Jessica completed her masters in community health while competing with their wheelchair racing team. Similar to her experience on the WheelBlazers, she raced with some of the best and, therefore, pushed herself to reach her full potential.
Reaching the London Games wasn’t something that this seasoned veteran took for granted. She continued to train with her university’s team twice a day, six days a week. She’ll compete in the T53 100, 200, 400, and 800 meter races.
Jessica is looking forward to the official start of the 2012 London Paralympics. “It’s overwhelming. You walk in for opening ceremony and there are like 90,000 people screaming. That’s the really special part of the games. It’s the moment when you feel like it’s bigger than you,” she explained. “You’re not just out there for yourself. You’re there for your family. And then when you’re on the podium and you hear the national anthem, you know you’re there for your country. It’s a really cool feeling.”
Reflecting on her last two decades of racing, she notes how much life has changed. Since college, Jessica has remained in Illinois, working for the University of Illinois and for a local gym while still racing with the team. Engaged this past spring, she’s also planning her wedding, all while remaining one of the elite wheelchair athletes in the world. “I can't believe all that I have accomplished,” Jessica declared. “I am incredibly determined and no matter what I'm doing, I want to do it well and give it a hundred percent of my energy. However, I don't think my eight-year-old self could have ever imagined that I would succeed the way I have in racing.”
Along with her family, fiancé, friends, and fans, Kessler Foundation will be cheering Jessica on as she faces tough competition in her quest for medals! You can support the WheelBlazers and other programs for athletes with disabilities by participating in Kessler Foundation’s 11th Annual Stroll ‘N Roll (and RUN!). Runners and wheelchair racers can compete in USATF-certified 5K or 10K courses or enjoy the casual family-fun 5K around Brookdale Park on Sunday, October 21st. Register for this fun-filled day now and Stroll ‘N Roll (and RUN!) to change lives for people with disabilities.
