Brooke Shields On Horrifying Accident That Broke Her Leg: 'I Just Started Screaming'

The idea of hurting myself seriously in an accident is one of the biggest reasons I try to avoid the gym at all costs. Even those who are in incredible shape that work out all the time and really know what they're doing can sometimes sustain serious injuries — including supermodel Brooke Shields, who has opened up about suffering a terrible accident in a new interview.

Brooke Shields is a household name for many reasons.

Brooke is a supermodel and actress best known for her roles in The Blue Lagoon, Pretty Baby, Endless Love and her lengthy modelling career. At 55, Brooke is in fantastic shape, and is clearly no stranger to the gym, but in late January of this year, Brooke revealed she suffered a terrifying accident.

While at a gym in New York, Brooke fell off a balance board, flew up in the air and landed hard enough to break her right femur.

"It felt like it was all in slow motion," Brooke revealed. "And then I just started screaming," Brooke went on. "Sounds came out that I've never heard before."

"I kept saying, 'I can feel my toes' because I was so afraid I was paralyzed," Brooke went on.

Brooke revealed she had surgery to insert metal rods, "one from the top of my hip down, and another across into the hip socket," and had a second surgery to add five rods and a metal plate to anchor it all in place afterwards.

At first they feared it might be MRSA

"Thank God it wasn't. If it had been, my doctor said it would have been a race against time. That's how you can become septic. It seemed unthinkable."

Brooke recalled that "for the first time in my entire life, I thought, 'I can't power through this.'"

"I can't even stand on my leg or go up a step. I need to relearn how to even walk. The feeling of helplessness is shocking," Brooke revealed.

Brooke has shared video updates on her progress relearning to walk on her Instagram.

Brooke explained that she's never given up before and doesn't plan on stopping now.

"I'm the only one that's going to be able to get through this," Brooke said. "My career has actually been like that as well. One door gets slammed in my face and I search for another.

Brooke compared the situation to other struggles in her past.

"It's not unlike how I felt when I wrote about postpartum depression in 2005. This is my journey, and if it took me breaking the largest bone in my body, then recovery is something I want to share."

Brooke shared a powerful message.

"We have to believe in ourselves and encourage one another. There's no other way to get through life, period."

"If anything, I'm a fighter," Brooke said.

We're so glad to hear that Brooke is on the road to recovery, and we're glad that she's got such a powerful attitude about this difficult journey!

Fans are taking to social media to share well-wishes with the superstar.

"GET WELL SOON QUEEN!" one fan wrote.

"You have always been an inspiration to me, beautiful soul. So much of God's love, grace, light and healing to you," reads one comment.

"Thanks for sharing. It is an example to follow. To be brave regardless of the circumstances," another fan added.

We're wishing Brooke a speedy recovery!

Brooke's continued bravery in the face of hardships is a true inspiration, and we're sure it won't be long until she's strutting her stuff yet again!

h/t: People