But the journey for the family that began with a call from Gore police in 2009 has been a slow one, and still has a way to go.
Miss Scott, 26, has a halting, gentle voice, and a very clear sense of humour.
She said she was driving to Gore alone when the crash occurred, though she has no memory of what happened.
"I had been asked if I would model in the Hokonui Fashion Awards, I said 'yes', and I was driving down to Gore to try on clothes.
"I almost made it, but didn't quite get there."
Mr Scott said the first he heard about the incident was a phone call from Gore police.
"I happened to be in Japan at the time - I tried to get home as quick as I could."
"And it was grim," Mrs Scott said.
"It was that cliche; the parents' worst nightmare, but you actually live that cliche.
"You go through every emotion possible."
Miss Scott's recovery was "very slow".
She was in hospital from the time of the July crash until September, at which time she was moved to the Isis Centre at Wakari Hospital for rehabilitation.
At that time, though, she was classified as being in a coma, and was unable to talk, eat or move.
A multi-disciplinary team with a physiotherapist, speech language therapist and clinical psychologist set to work, an approach Mrs Scott said "we experienced in the best possible way".
And that was following advice from doctors who were "not overly optimistic".
"Doctors have to give you the facts," Mrs Scott said.
"We tried to explain while we wanted to hear what was happening to her, we didn't want them to take away that hope."
Slowly - very slowly - recovery was achieved.
"The magic moments in our lives were her eyes opening, or you might feel her squeeze your hand," Mrs Scott said.
"That gave us so much hope and encouragement."
The first time Miss Scott said anything was six months after the crash, with a "croaky, muffled 'Hi Mum"' on the telephone.
But there were no miracles.
"It's not like the movies, you don't just suddenly start talking, you don't stand up and think 'Oh yes, I can take a step now'."
Miss Scott's challenges included re-learning how to swallow.
She did not return home until July 2010.
In the past six years she has gone from wheelchairs and walking frames to be able to walk short distances.
In the Physio Pool she has gone from being hoisted into the water and having her arms and legs moved for her, to a buoyancy aid, to kicking with a board, to swimming with a mask and snorkel, and finally, on her 26th birthday, swimming (with some rests) 26 lengths of the pool.
This year, with the help of lawyer Jane Guthrie, the older sister of one of Miss Scott's friends, she has been able to return to the University of Otago, where she was a second year student at the time of the crash.
Ms Guthrie suggested the idea after coming to the conclusion Miss Scott had the ability to return to university, and was allowed time off from her job as a lawyer at Dunedin firm Wilkinson Rodgers to be her support person in class.
Miss Scott said: "It was just kind of like I have been here before, done different things, but it was quite exciting.
"I just sat there and took my notes, and listened and joined in, and did everything I was told to do."
In the first semester Miss Scott got her A- in the first-year paper, and is taking another paper this semester.
Back in Motion neuro-physiotherapist Bronagh Quinn, who has worked with Miss Scott for the past three years, said she was "definitely motivated when she has a goal she wants to achieve".
Her "major achievements", however, were a result of her parents' encouragement and advocacy.
Details of Miss Scott's speech at her father's retirement function should probably stay with those who heard, though Miss Scott says: "It was quite cool".
"It was quite out of order," her father responded, with a smile.
"Well thank you," Miss Scott said.
