Lauren Scruggs Tragedy: Parents of Model Who Walked Into Propeller Optimistic for Her Recovery

Dec. 8, 2011— -- Nearly a week after she collided with an airplane propeller, Lauren Scruggs' parents came before the cameras to say her beautiful face may be covered in bandages and stitches but they can look past that and, apparently, so can she.

"She looked at herself for the first time today in a mirror," said Lauren's father, Jeff Scruggs. "That was big. She looked and said, 'It's not that bad.' So that was really encouraging."

The 23-year-old model and fashion blogger has already been moved out of intensive care, but she doesn't remember what happened Saturday when she walked into the propeller of a small plane.

The propeller sliced into her face and shoulder and cut off her left hand.

"Lauren is a little fighter," Jeff Scruggs said. "The physical therapist will say do 10 of these, you know, raise your leg 10 times, or whatever, and she does 12. Or, you know, take 20 steps and she takes 30. That's just how she is."

Lauren Scruggs walked down a hall on Wednesday at the Dallas hospital where she is being treated, according to her family.

Halfway through her first walk since the incident, Scruggs said the number 30.

When her parents and twin sister asked what she meant, the 23-year-old said "steps." She had been counting the whole time.

"She really shouldn't be alive, so we feel blessed in that," said Lauren's mother, Cheryl Scruggs. "And although she has some challenges ahead, and we do too, we're lucky to have her."

Lauren Scruggs remains in tremendous pain and doctors said she may still lose her left eye. They also aren't sure how much of her brain may be damaged.

But her parents say she still has her smile and more.

"She's got her spunk back, her personality," Jeff Scruggs said. "She's smiling. Her face, you know, she's able to raise both eyebrows. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but they were worried about the nerve on one side, and she's able to do that, so we're so grateful and thankful."

They are also grateful for the outpouring of support. The young online fashion editor's website has received emails from around the world.

Click here for more information on how to help Lauren Scruggs.

"We just tell her how blessed she is to have all these people just care about her and are praying for her," Jeff Scruggs said. "You know, it does lift her spirits when we tell her that."