Gabrielle Henry is opening up about her recovery following a devastating fall from the Miss Universe stage nearly a year ago that left her with a traumatic brain injury. The former Miss Jamaica winner recently shared a detailed Instagram carousel breaking down how her body has healed, the nutrition that’s supported her healing, and the activities keeping her mentally sharp during this challenging period.
The Gabrielle Henry update comes as welcome news to those who’ve followed her recovery journey. “Recovery has been one of the most unpredictable periods of my life, but here are some things that I have been doing to manage the journey,” she wrote. “It is difficult to describe what going through this injury has been like. It almost feels as though I’ve had an out-of-body experience and returned to a body that isn’t my own. Recovery has been a difficult journey filled with ups and downs and lots of disappointment. But I am most grateful for my support system and the genuine souls who have surrounded me with grace.”
Henry didn’t shy away from the physical toll either. She shared images of scars on her chest and chin alongside photos of the meals that have anchored her recovery: green beans, eggs, ground beef, zucchini, and Greek yogurt with fruit. She’s also incorporated turmeric tea with cinnamon and black pepper into her routine, leaning on their anti-inflammatory properties to support healing.
Beyond nutrition, Henry has rediscovered reading, a passion that got buried under the demands of being Miss Universe Jamaica and maintaining her medical career. Over the past 10 months, she’s worked through novels that had collected dust on her shelves and dove into “Brain Building: Exercising Yourself Smarter” by Marilyn Vos Savant, a 1990 classic focused on neuroplasticity.
“This period of recovery really called for me to slow down and breathe, avoiding stressors and just focusing on the here and now,” she reflected. “It was in my exploration that I was fortunate to come across this book and become more intentional about doing active exercises to help with my recollection and retention of information. An oldie but goodie, and I’m so grateful to have a book that I can touch and smell. It makes the experience so much more authentic.”
Her recovery wasn’t without additional loss. While recuperating in Jamaica, Henry experienced the sudden death of her uncle, a grief layered onto an already demanding healing process. But being back home grounded her in what matters most: rest, genuine connection, and intentional self-care.
Through it all, Henry has arrived at a simple but profound realization. “At the end of the day, I’ve learned that recovery doesn’t look the same for any two people. It requires us to be patient, exhibit self-compassion, and honor the body we’ve been placed in to live our lives out here on Earth,” she said.
★TR★
