By Faith Greene
AT just 27 years old, Gabrielle McKenzie is already a powerful voice for health and disability rights in Guyana. Now, the young advocate from Annandale, East Coast Demerara, is preparing to take her mission to the global stage as one of eight Guyanese selected for the prestigious Chevening Scholarship.

This fall, Gabrielle will journey to the United Kingdom to pursue a Master’s Degree in Health Psychology at King’s College London. For her, the opportunity is not just about academic growth but about acquiring the tools to tackle some of Guyana’s most pressing health challenges.

“Health Psychology is a marriage between physical health and mental health—it’s about understanding how various factors influence health behaviours and healthcare,” she explained. “At the core of this is chronic illness, which is a major concern in Guyana and across the Caribbean. I believe that by being exposed to the work being done in the UK, I can bring some of that knowledge back home.”

Gabrielle’s journey into health advocacy was shaped by her own lived experiences. Diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager, she underwent spinal fusion surgery to correct the curvature of her spine. Complications during the procedure left her temporarily immobile from the chest down.

“So, I woke up unable to move or feel anything. That was the beginning of my interest in health advocacy and disability rights advocacy,” she recalled.
Rather than allowing her condition to define her, Gabrielle transformed her experience into a source of resilience and determination. Today, she is an Executive Member and Co-founder of Stronger Together, a non-governmental organisation that serves as a support network for persons with physical disabilities.

The idea for Stronger Together was born from her realisation that no such community existed locally. “We wanted to create a space where persons with disabilities could share experiences, access opportunities, and provide peer-led and emotional support for each other,” she said.

Her commitment to support networks goes back even further. From 2016 to 2022, Gabrielle led Curvy Girls, a chapter dedicated to empowering girls with disabilities between the ages of six and 22. “I strongly believe in support groups—that’s where it all started,” she reflected.

Now, with Chevening opening doors to one of the world’s leading institutions, Gabrielle is determined to build on her advocacy. After completing her studies, she hopes to work in Guyana’s public sector, where she envisions contributing to chronic illness prevention, lifestyle modification, and health promotion on a national scale.
She is equally inspired by Chevening’s global network and its commitment to change-making. “I must add that I was a bit concerned about inclusive education,” she admitted. “But after many conversations with past scholars who also have disabilities, I was convinced—and it was proven—that Chevening truly provides a space for persons with disabilities to thrive and succeed through education.”

Gabrielle’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and vision. From overcoming a life-changing surgery to founding organisations that uplift others, she is determined to ensure that her own journey paves the way for a more inclusive and healthier Guyana.