Niki Taylor Talking and Walking Again

June 22 -- After supermodel Niki Taylor was injured in a car crash, friends and family said it would take a miracle for her to get better. And now, it appears that the recovery they've been hoping for is on its way.

Eight weeks after the accident that left her with "life-threatening" internal injuries, doctors report that Taylor has been upgraded to "good" condition and moved out of the intensive care unit at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

"She was moved to a private room on Tuesday and has her sense of humor back about her, and has been talking with us," said Lou Taylor, the supermodel's manager. "It's been great to have her back."

The blonde cover girl is said to be speaking clearly, and even walking with assistance. Only 15 percent of patients with her level of injuries survive, her manager (who is not related to model) told Good Morning America today.

"They are expecting a total recovery from her, in the sense that she'll have a functional life," he said. "Her career, or whether she's going to be running marathons, things like that have to be foretold."

Near-Death Experience

On April 29, Taylor was riding in the passenger seat of a car driven by her friend Chad Renegar. He lost control of the 1993 Nissan Maxima and hit a utility pole.

Taylor was wearing her seat belt and did not initially seem badly hurt. But later doctors discovered injuries to her liver and abdomen.

Until three weeks ago, the 26-year-old model was on a ventilator, and unable to speak. After being taken off, her first words were to ask for a soft drink.

Now she is talking, alert and aware of what is happening to her, and has spoken on the phone to her twin 6-year-old sons, who have not seen her yet.

Her manager reports that Taylor has been overwhelmed at the cards, teddy bears and other presents sent by well-wishers, including strangers and celebrity friends like Bruce Willis and Stephen Baldwin.

Taylor has just started to eat solid foods for the first time and is looking forward to regaining strength and muscle tone. She hopes to go home soon and start physical therapy, her spokewoman said.