Brooke Shields reveals she's having to learn to walk again after horrific accident

What was supposed to be an ordinary trip to the gym turned into a nightmare for Brooke Shields. Now, the actress is recounting an experience that left her questioning whether or not she would be able to walk again. 

While using a balance board at a New York City gym earlier this year, Brooke fell so forcefully that she ended up breaking her femur—and that was just the beginning of the horrific journey. In an exclusive interview with People, she's detailed all of the hardships that followed: undergoing surgery, developing an incredibly serious staph infection, getting three blood transfusions, and ultimately, being left in a vulnerable position where she was forced to start over. 

"My muscles needed to be retrained," Shields revealed in a video with the publication. "I need to learn how to walk again." 

More from woman&home: 
• The best foundation for oily skin
• The best hair dryer brushes for easy styling
• The best eye cream for every skin type

The recovery

Through Instagram, she has given fans a peek into her recovery process, doctor visits and all. This includes her taking small steps with crutches and walking up steps while presumably at the hospital. It can seem tedious and incredibly frustrating to go back to basics, but Shields' demeanor proves she's not letting this setback get the best of her (even after admitting she had succumbed to a few weak moments).

"No matter what your challenge is, make a positive choice, for yourself, to move forward," she captioned on an Instagram video, which garnered countless positive sentiments from her followers.

What's next

In her People interview, she recalled moments of uncertainty and felt as if she'd surrender, but strength from loved ones and the need to be there for her teenage daughters pulled the starlet through.

"I’ve learned that now is the time to not allow fear to stop you," she said. 

And from the looks of it on social media, she has a wonderful support team, including Ali Wentworth and Mariska Hargitay. "Friends are healing. Thankful to have you by my side," she captioned alongside a photo with the two. 

Stay strong, Brooke. We're rooting for you!