. >>> also, we've going to have an update on lauren scruggs who we have been we've been talking about throughout the morning. she was the model who was badly injured when she got off a plane and walked into a propeller. she spoke and saw herself for the first time since the accident. you'll hear what she had to say. it's remarkable. she has a lot of perspective about this. >>> also ahead, if you think if you think you cannot afford to buy a house, you might be surprised as what you can get for less than $is 100,000 around the country. barbara parker will be here to show it to us. and holiday decorations, we all love them. they're so beautiful. but they can also be dangerous. we're going to get some good advice so we can enjoy our holiday decorations. >> oh, we put the lights on the tree yesterday. that was the dangerous part. >> we were just trying to help people choose the right one for the holidays. >> why are you slurring? >> it was in the name of research. >> don't drink all that wine at this hour of the morning. meantime, let's get to natalie who has a check of the morning's top

i'm lauren scruggs.nd we're excited to be here today. >> reporter: lauren scruggs isn't just walking her way through rehab. apparently, now, she's biking, too. the 23-year-old model who was badly injured in an accident with a moving airplane propeller 17 days ago, is now riding a stationary bike all by herself. less than a week after doctors successfully removed her left eye, lauren is now getting back into routine. showering and dressing herself. stunning steps forward, providing hope for her family, who told reporters shortly after the accident, they didn't think she'd be alive today. >> we feel blessed in that. and although she has some challenges ahead and we do, too, it's -- we're lucky to have her. >> reporter: scruggs' parents remain optimistic. in a web posting entitled miracle after miracle, her mother writes that she is responding stunningly. lauren's family says her recovery will be long. the propeller sliced the left side of her face and shoulder and severed her left hand. >> we're here to ge

after the propeller accident that left her critically injured, aspiring model and fashionista lauren scruggsng remarkable signs of recovery. on monday, her family posted a new blog entry online with hopeful news, saying "praise the lord, lauren's pain is much more manageable today. she has been eating some of her favorite foods today, sweet potatoes and hard boiled eggs." and probably the most encouraging news yet, her deeply religious parents write, "lauren was able to walk on her own today, such a miracle!" >> i am lauren scruggs with "lolo" mag, and -- >> reporter: the 23-year-old fashion blogger has a passion for flying. a week ago saturday, she flew over dallas in a single-engine plane with a friend to see christmas lights around the city, but as she exited the plane, she accidentally walked into the still spiihízg lauren suffered a number of critical injuries. her left hand was severed. she has a skull fracture, a brain injury, a broken collar bone, and she may still lose her left eye. >> she's got her spunk back, her personality. >> yeah, her personality. >> she's smiling. her face, y

morning america," ryan owens, abc news, dallas. >>> for more on this, we're joined by lauren's parents, jeff and cheryl scruggsyou both. and thanks for coming out at such a difficult time. what can you tell us about how lauren's doing now? >> yesterday was a good day. there's a lot of positive progress. they took her tube out. her breathing tube. she didn't speak right away. and i think it was the speech pathologist came in the room and said, has she said anything yet? and i said no. and i said, lauren, will you say hi to daddy? and she says hi. and later, she told one of cheryl's sisters that she loved her. that was encouraging to us, that she started speaking yesterday. you know, she is really uncomfortable, as you can imagine. but that was an encouraging sign for us. >> yeah. >> i saw that smile when you heard that hi. that must have been such a relief for you. >> it was a relief. >> huge. >> yeah. >> have you been able to piece together any better what exactly happened on that tarmac? >> no. it was a really horrible accident. she had been up looking at christmas lights. i wasn't there. but from what aye be

for lauren scruggs, the road to recovery has been miracle after miracle. according to her parents, the blog where they have updating lauren's condition. >> i am lauren scruggs with lo-lo mag. >> reporter: and there is probably no better indication than her renewed passion for fashion. she is now picking out her own clothes, dressing herself and exercising to stay in shape. >> lauren is a little fighter. i mean, she -- you guys don't know her, but her personality, she loved to work out, she was healthy before, so the physical therapist would say do ten of these, raise your hand ten times and she does twelve. or take 10 steps and she takes 30. >> reporter: she has been moved from intensive care to rehab and requesting her favorite foods, sweet potatoes, seafood, brussel sprouts and chocolate cake. significant developments considering her critical injuries. her left hand was severed, a skull fracture, a brain injury. and doctors last week had to remove her left eye. she will soon be fitted with a prosthetic. >> she really shouldn't be alive. we feel blessed with that and although she

this morning, you see a community stepping up for lauren scruggs. you're going to hear a surprisingly upbeat update from lauren's mom. >> this family has given so much to us. we need to give back. >> reporter: a big show of support overnight for lauren scruggs, the 23-year-old part-time model and fashion editor. at a restaurant in plano, texas, to help pay her medical bills. >> i'm really here for them. lauren has a long road ahead in recovery. >> anything we can do to help. >> reporter: on december 3rd, lauren took a plane ride with a family friend to get an aerial view of the christmas lights in north texas. after she got off the plane, she somehow walked into the propeller, which sliced her face, her shoulder and her left hand. on december 15th, doctors performed surgery to remove her left eye. throughout this incredibly painful period, friends and family says lauren has been upbeat. even managing to walk, bike and pick out her own clothes and dress herself. >> it is truly a miracle to think of how far she's come in such a short amount of time. >>

. >>> another story we've been covering, lauren scruggs was nearly killed when she walked into a plane's spinning propeller. ten days later, the model's recovery has taken yet another encouraging turn. we're going to hear from her father in a little while. >>> also coming up, a wealth of topics with today's professionals, everything from denver broncos quarterback tim tebow, wearing his religion on his sleeve, to a new survey on what people are willing to do without to lose weight, and you might be surprised by what most of us would not give up to lose weight, matt. >>> all right, but we begin on a tuesday morning with a big day in court for jerry sandusky. nbc's national investigative correspondent michael isikoff is at the courthouse in bellefonte, pennsylvania. michael, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, matt. a little more than a month after prosecutors first charged jerry sandusky with repeatedly abusing young boys, they're planning to lay out new details of their case today in what is expected to be a grueling, all-day hearing in this local courtroom. it's a classic co

natalie morales has the latest on the recovery of lauren scruggs, the texas model who was struck by an airline propeller. and actor christopher plumber talks about his new film "the girl with the dragon tattoo." >>> keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one.

i'm lauren scruggs.xcited to be here today. >> reporter: lauren scruggs isn't just walking her way through rehab. apparently, now, she's biking, too. the 23-year-old model who was badly injured in an accident with a moving airplane propeller 17 days ago, is now riding a stationary bike all by herself. less than a week after doctors successfully removed her left eye, lauren is now getting back into routine. showering and dressing herself. stunning steps forward, providing hope for her family, who told reporters shortly after the accident, they didn't think she'd be alive today. >> we feel blessed in that. and although she has some challenges ahead and we do, too, it's -- we're lucky to have her. >> reporter: scruggs' parents remain optimistic. in a web posting entitled miracle after miracle, her mother writes that she is responding stunningly. lauren's family says her recovery will be long. the propeller sliced the left side of her face and shoulder and severed her left hand. >> we're here to get the insi

and ryan owens has the story. >> we're here to get some inside scoop. >> reporter: lauren scruggs used her communications degree to start this online fashion magazine. this morning, she is, once again, communicating. when asked her name, she said lauren. when she saw her parents, she said, i love you. doctors have told her parents the road ahead will be a long one for the 23-year-old. that plane's propeller sliced off her left hand and severely slashed her shoulder and face. she may still lose her left eye. >> we're just praying that that -- her left eye would regain its sight. you know, it's going to be a long recovery. >> reporter: so many have wondered how something like this could happen. keep in mind, it happened at night. as you see, it is difficult to see the propellers. but it is not at all difficult to hear them. police identified the pilot as curt richmond of frisco, texas. he is a friend of the scruggs family, who had taken lauren up to look at christmas lights saturday night. richmond has not answered our repeated request for an interview. investigators still aren't sure ex

even started a magazine about it called "lolo." 21-year-old lauren scruggs is in a hospital. the young fashionista was flying around saturday night looking at christmas lights. what began as a holiday treat ended up costing the young model and fashion editor her left hand. officials believe when the plane landed at a small private airport, scruggs got off and in a bizarre accident, walked into the propeller, which sliced at her like a giant blender. she was rushed to the hospital, where doctors removed what remained of her hand. it is also reported she suffered brain, face and shoulder injuries. her family insists she was not drinking at the time. >> we have a strong faith in jesus christ, as does our daughter, lauren. and it's going to be a tough road. a long way back. >> terrible accident. we're all -- all of us at the accident are saddened by this. >> just such a sad story. how she walked into it. a lot of questions about what exactly happened. thanks to lucy yang of wabc. >>> an arizona family is look forward to a heartfelt holiday season. their little boy's heart stopped

i'm lauren scruggs. >> reporter: 23-year-old model and fashion editor, lauren scruggs, who barely survivedible plane propeller accident, just ten days ago, is recovering, after yet another delicate surgery. in a statement, her family says, quote, we are thankful for all the strong and powerful prayers for this and the surgery today, end quote. >> she really shouldn't be alive. so, we feel blessed in that. and although she has challenges ahead, and we do, too, we're lucky to have her. >> reporter: wednesday, doctors successfully removed her left eye, implanting a prosthetic in its place. overnight, friends and family called it for lo, as she's known to them. and saying, quote, the doctors were excited about the surgery. and said everything went as well as planned, end quote. hopefully praying that the many surgeries are behind her. lauren's parents say she made incredible progress this week. >> she has her spunk back. her personality. >> reporter: she's alert. she's talking. and walking down the hospital hallway three times all by herself. >> come on. >> come on, baby. >> come on. >> report

doctors just removed lauren scruggs' left eye. and her family says everything went as planned.year-old walked into the rotating propeller of an airplane earlier this month. it gashed her face and shoulder and sliced off her hand. >>> doctors in chile have successfully separated 10-month-old conjoined twins of 20 hours of surgery. the next few days will be critical. the operation was complex because the girls shared many of the same internal organs. >>> marijuana use among teenagers is on the rise for the fourth-straight year, with 1 of every 15 students smoking pot almost daily. 25% of eighth, tenth and 12th graders admit using marijuana in the last year. up 21% from 2007. they say the study suggests teens see pot as less risky. >>> now, we turn to some ports news this morning. some hockey and college hoops, as well. here's espn news. >> good morning. my name is todd grisham. this is your espn news update. we start on the ice. minnesota wild, the best team in the nhl, facing the chicago blackhawks. third period, 2-2. and the blackhawks, jonathan toews scores to make it 3-2. fiv

lauren scruggs was seriously injured last saturday night. but doctors say her excellent physical condition before the accident is helping her make a faster-than-expected recovery. scruggs has been walking, talking to her parents. and yesterday, in fact, did something else for the very first time. >> she looked at herself for the first time today in the mirror. that was big. and she looked in and he says, it's not that bad. >> she understands she was in a bad accident. but she doesn't know -- she can't remember any detail of it at all. >> now, scruggs still faces a very long recovery. she may actually lose her left eye. and she's considered to be at serious risk of infection. >>> in nevada, crews have now recovered the bodies of all five victims of that sight-seeing helicopter crash. the pilot and four passengers went down in a remote canyon wednesday night. among them was a couple from kansas celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. the helicopter company has had at least five accidents since 1994. >>> and updating another story we told y

that was the word lauren scruggs spoke after she took her first steps after that propeller accident.'re thinking, what does that mean? she said, "i walked 30 steps. " >> reporter: 30 steps on what could be a long road to recovery. in a news conference thursday, scruggs' parents say their daughter doesn't remember the accident. >> she was in a bad accident. but she doesn't know -- she can't remember any detail of it at all. >> reporter: it was last saturday night, scruggs boarded a private plane in the dallas area to look at christmas lights from the air. the 23-year-old had just climbed out of the single engine plane when she walked directly into the still-spinning propeller. >> it was dark and we were thinking that lauren came back to thank the pilot, and she didn't see that the propeller was winding down. >> lauren's family says it was an accident and they don't blame the pilot, who has yet to comment on the incident. a part-time model and fashion blogger, lauren suffered a number of critical injuries, including a severed hand, trauma to her face, head and shoulder and the possibil

. >>> we have an update on lauren scruggs who walked into a moving propeller of a moving airplane.ffered life changing injuries. as janet reports, her parents say she has given them reason for hope. >> reporter: 30. that was the word she spoke as she took her first steps after the devastating propeller accident. >> we were thinking what does that mean? she said i walked 30 steps. >> reporter: 30 steps on what could be a long road to recovery. her parents said their daughter doesn't remember the accident. >> she was in a bad accident, but don't know. she can't remember any detail of it at all. >> reporter: last saturday night, she boarded a private plane look at christmas lights from the air. the 23-year-old climbed out of the single engine, two-seater plane when she walked into the still spinning propeller. >> it was dark. we were thinking she came back to thank the pilot. she didn't see the propeller was winding down. >> reporter: her family says it was an accident. they don't blame the pilot who has yet to comment on the incident. a part-time model and fashion blogger she suffere

. >> reporter: for lauren scruggs, the road to recovery has been miracle after miracle. are writing on her blog. there's probably no better ipd indication she's returning to herself than her renewed passion for fashion. the fashion blogger, according to to family is picking out her own clothes, dressing herself and exercising to stay in shape. >> lauren is a fighter. you guys don't know her. her personality, she loved to work out. she was healthy before. the physical therapist says do ten of these, raise your leg and she does 12 or take 20 steps and she takes 30. >> reporter: she's been moveed from intensive care to rehab. she's requesting her favorite foods. significant developments about her critical injuries. her left hand severed, skull fracture and brain injury. doctors had to remove her left eye. >> she shouldn't be alive. we feel blessed that that. she has challenges ahead and we do, too. we are lucky to have her. we really are. >> reporter: they know they could have lost her the night she walked into the propeller of a small plane after getting out of it after da

we are now joined by lauren's parents, jeff and cheryl scruggs. good morning to both of you. >> good morning. >> we just heard i believe it was last night that lauren was able to speak for the first time. describe what that moment meant for you, cheryl. >> yeah. just seeing her trying to open her right eye just a tiny bit and her moving her lips. she said hi. and that just brought us to our knees. >> when you look at her injuries and you hear that had she been standing any more to the left or the right as she was hit in the chest and the head that she might not be alive, are you seeing this, jeff, as something of a miracle? >> yeah, we're just -- gosh, we're just so grateful to the lord for saving her. lauren has a strong faith in jesus christ, as we do as a family. we've been surrounded by friends that have been praying, lifting us up. it's been a really horrendous two days, but we do see some bright signs ahead. you know, we just thank all of those that have been praying for us. we're grateful. >> what are doctors telling you about her challenges

but this morning, lauren scruggs' parents are calling them a miracle. for the first time since her horrific accident, the 23-year-old model is walking the hallways of her dallas hospital all on her own. she is even eating some of her favorite foods again. sweet potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, as her father told us late last week. >> it's just a miracle to see the progress she's been making. >> reporter: a tough journey that began just more than a week ago. when an airplane propeller sliced into scruggs' face and shoulder and cut off her left hand. the latest update on a website set up by family and friends exclaims, lauren's pain is much more manageable today. >> she's got her spunk back. her personality. >> reporter: although she's more alert and talking, doctors remain concerned she may lose her left eye. but are pleased with the healing of her facial nerves. >> she's smiling. 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. but she's able to do that. we're so grateful and thankfu

for lauren scruggs, the road to recovery has been miracle after miracle. according to her parents, he blog where they have updating lauren's condition. >> i am lauren scruggs with lo-lo mag. >> reporter: and there is probably no better indication than her renewed passion for fashion. she is now picking out her own clothes, dressing herself and exercising to stay in shape. >> lauren is a little fighter. i mean, she -- you guys don't know her, but her personality, she loved to work out, she was healthy before, so the physical therapist would say do ten of these, raise your hand ten times and she does twelve. or take 10 steps and she takes 30. >> reporter: she has been moved from intensive care to rehab and requesting her favorite foods, sweet potatoes, seafood, brussel sprouts and chocolate cake. significant developments considering her critical injuries. her left hand was severed, a skull fracture, a brain injury. and doctors last week had to remove her left eye. she will soon be fitted with a prosthetic. >> she really shouldn't be alive. we feel blessed with that and although she ha

. >> reporter: most people here never met lauren scruggs but are touched by her fight to live. >> wes is how it came about. >> reporter: this is a fund-raiser for the 23-year-old model and fashion blogger. she walked into a rotating plane propeller. the accident claimed her left hand and eye. >> the entire story is a miracle. the way she looks physically is miraculous. god has done great things to heal her body. >> reporter: she's returning to her spunky self and requesting her favorite foods during long rehab sessions. >> typically, when i'm not feeling well, i want junk food. she wants kale and brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes. >> i'm left speechless. it's so amazing how well she's doing. >> we love you, lauren. >> reporter: total strangers including this dallas based actor. >> i'm so proud to be a part of this. this is something very special. i think we are seeing the start of a new -- a new day for lauren. >> the fund-raiser netted at least $10,000 last night. her family has been regularly updating her progress on the site, caringbridge.org. >>> in southern california, a 13-yea

. >>> lauren scruggs is a model from texas who accidentally walked into the still spinning propeller of an airplane last week. her injuries are severe. her family says she is making progress. she's taken her first steps since the accident. her parents say she does not remember the incident but understands she was seriously injured. they say she's already showing signs of her old self, especially after she used a mirror to look at her face. >> she looked and said it's not that bad. that was encouraging. she still has her beautiful smile. >> she was critically injured after getting off the small plane at night in the dark in dallas, texas. her parents believe she turned around to thank the pilot and walked into the still spinning propeller. her hand was severed. the family remains optimistic about her recovery. >>> still ahead, four people arrested in a car rim theft ring in the area. how the crime was uncovered. >> marron barry's story may be made into a movie. a hollywood big timer has been tapped to play the roll. >>> coming up in sports, big ben takes a hit then delivers one to the

. >>> we have more encouraging news this morning about lauren scruggs. she is the former model recovering from a freak accident with a plane propeller. abc's ryan owens told us about her first steps yesterday. and he's back today with a new milestone on her recovery. >> reporter: nearly a week after the horrific accident, 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 in the mirror. that was big. and she said that's not so bad. >> reporter: the 23-year-old model doesn't remember what happened saturday night, when an airplane propeller sliced into her face and shoulder and cut off her left hand. she's already been moved out of intensive care. and is walking and talking. >> lauren is a little fighter. so, the physical therapist will say, do ten of these. raise your leg ten times. and she does 12. >> reporter: she has a lot of fighting ahead. she is in tremendous pain. and doctors say she sti

fashion model lauren scruggs taking a miraculous step forward. >> it's a miracle to see the progressking. >> she understands she was in a bad accident but she doesn't know -- she can't remember any detail of it at all. [ male announcer ] cranberry juice? wake up! ♪ that's good morning, veggie style. hmmm [ male announcer ] for half the calories -- plus veggie nutrition. could've had a v8. bill: new reaction this morning from the family of a model after a horrifying accident. lauren scruggs, severely injured after getting off a small plane at an airport in texas, she walked into a spinning propeller. lauren's father telling reporters how she is doing in recovery. >> she is walking, she's got her spunk back, her personality. >> her personality. >> she is smiling. >> it's nobody's fault? we look at it as a horrific accident. that's the way we see it. bill: what a freaky situation. she also sustained a broken collarbone, lost sight in one eye. she is now out of intensive care. our prayers are with her. martha: a missing florida woman's mother completely breaks down after learning that in

her name is lauren scruggs.he accidentally walked into an airplane's spinning propeller after a tour to view christmas lights in dallas. her injuries were so severe she lost her left hand and her left eye. last night, supporters held a fund-raiser for the 23-year-old woman. she's a model and fashion blogger. more than $10,000 was raised to help pay for her medical bills. >> the entire story is a miracle. the way she looks physically is miraculous. god has done great things to heal her body. >> her parents say she is making remarkable strides in her recovery. last week, she was able to dress herself, brush her teeth and shower on her own. >>> still to come, caught in the act. police hope this video will help them track down the suspects of a bold crime spree. >>> a prime piece of real estate on the market. >>> why temperatures are proving to be bad for area businesses. >>> coming up in sports, we are talking hoops. the maryland women in action. the wizards hoping to bounce back and why >>> friends and family memb

. >>> we've been following lauren scruggs' recovery since she walked into the blades of a spinning propellerfamily is taking heart this morning after watching lauren take her first steps. abc's ryan owenses is live in dallas with more. and you spoke to the paramedics who reached lauren minutes after the accident. >> reporter: i did, george. good morning to you. they have quite a story to tell. they were certain this young woman would not survive. and now, like so many of us, they are happily following every detail of her remarkable recovery. lauren scruggs is not just talking. she's walking. her family says the 23-year-old walked down a hall at this dallas hospital with the help of a physical therapist. halfway there, they say she said, 30. her parents and twin sister asked what she meant. and say she replied, steps. she apparently had been counting the whole time. how much did you know when you first got the call? >> not a lot. other than it came in as a traumatic injury. >> reporter: no one is more amazed by lauren's progress than these two paramedics. they were among the first to treat th