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A model and fashion blogger who lost her hand and eye after accidentally walking into a spinning plane propeller has given her first interview – at the London Olympics.
Lauren Scruggs received the devastating injuries in December last year after taking the short flight to view Christmas lights above Texas.
Eight months on, and with doctors calling her recovery nothing short of miraculous, Scruggs is no longer on painkilling medication and looked back to her best during her first public appearance.
Speaking to the Today programme on Thursday, she revealed: "Emotionally, days are hard sometimes just accepting the loss of my eye and hand, but it just gets better and I realise God’s in control of my life and there’s a purpose to this story."
Scruggs with Today host Savannah Guthrie and Gabby Douglas
As Scruggs revealed she had chosen to attend the 2012 Games because she is "inspired by the athletes and their perseverance" particularly Gabby Douglas, she was suddenly greeted by the gymnast in the flesh.
Douglas, who won gold with Team USA, surprised the model by walking on set and the two embraced and chatted briefly.
Of the accident, Scruggs recounted: "I remember my feet touching the ground, getting out of the plane, but that's all I remember," adding she'd go into further detail in her upcoming autobiography.
Reflecting on the writing process, she said: "It was really healing for me personally just to talk about the accident. I've gained a new perspective of life and I feel like I need to use my message of hope and healing to inspire others just like others have inspired me."
Scruggs, who is now suing the plane's pilot and the airplane's insurers, plans to release the book about her accident and recovery in November.
During her rehabilitation, Scruggs often took to her blog, LoLo, to humbly thank well-wishers.
She wrote: “I don’t know how to thank each one of you, properly, for so much love during this difficult incident in my life. My heart is so grateful beyond what I could ever imagine.
“So thank you dearly for the sweet encouragements, the precious words in letters and messages, the beautiful grace in pretty presents, but mostly I am so SO thankful for you and your loving hearts and sweet spirits.”
According to federal reports the pilot of the plane claims he tried to warn Scruggs about the propeller and guide her to safety.
TMZ reported: “When he thought she was out of harm’s way he returned to his seat, only to then hear someone scream ‘Stop, stop!’”
Lauren Scruggs
See more pictures of Lauren below!