Fighting for the Disabled: Former pro boxer Gary Balletto speaks with John DeLuca
By: News Staff
Email: news@abc6.com
Twitter: @ABC6
CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) – It’s now been five years since the former pro boxer, Gary Balletto, was paralyzed from the chest down.
His story would be a tragic one if not for his courage, determination and grit.
He’s now a champion for thousands of paralyzed Rhode Islanders who need a place to exercise, but have few options.
3:30 in the morning, his alarm goes off and Gary Balletto starts his day.
Three hours later, he’s ready to leave his house in Cranston and go to one of his three businesses.
From there you’ll find him grinding in the gym 6 days a week.
Free weights, machines, whatever it takes to keep his paralyzed muscles from shrinking.
This former pro boxer, renowned for being in incredible condition, has never been afraid to push himself.
Now his recovery depends on it is his girlfriend Christina likes to say, Gary never skips leg day!
“G: I actually pedal the bike…because the machine is activating that muscle to turn on right at that moment…where you need to peddle.”
Gary uses a high tech, very expensive FES bike that activates muscles to peddle.
FES stands for “Functional Electrical Stimulation”, they cost over 20 thousand dollars each.
Gary raised the money for them.
These life improving pieces are at the Y in Cranston.
I’m told they’re booked solid every day, which is not hard to believe.
According to the Christopher Reeve foundation when you factor in stroke, spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis, over 25 thousand Rhode Islanders have some form of paralysis.
Gary’s goal is to build a complete adaptive gym.
To build that adaptive gym Balletto needs money. $150,000 to be exact. So far through a grant and fundraising he’s $105,000 away from what he needs to buy 10 pieces.
They’ll all be at the Y in Cranston and people who need them can get access just by having a monthly membership.
Gary says, “This is not about me, this is not about Gary Balletto, I’m working out. I’m doing everything every day. This is to help other people with injuries like mine.”
On Friday night Balletto is having his round 2 fundraiser at the Skyline Restaurant at Waterplace.
During the evening Gary will announce a medical breakthrough that he says will change his life.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018
