Lauren Huxley has no recollection of the day a stranger attacked her in her Sydney home. On November 9, 2005, she was tied up, brutally beaten, doused in petrol, and left for dead. Despite the trauma, Lauren considers her lack of memory a blessing. She focuses on gratitude for the simple joys in life, stating, "this could all have been taken away from me."

Lauren, who can walk, talk, and enjoy time with her family, reflects on her journey. "I'm still here," she told Australian Story. "Even with all my scars and my injuries, which I might always have, at least I'm able to do the simple things in life." Her parents, Christine and Pat, admire her resilience. Lauren's older sister, Simone Gibson, describes her as determined, saying, "She wants the life that she deserved to live and she's definitely making a good go of achieving that."

The family now faces a new challenge. Next year, the man who attacked Lauren, Farmer, will be eligible for parole after serving 20 of his 24-year sentence. He has never admitted guilt or shown remorse. Simone expressed disbelief, stating, "Having no guilt or remorse for one of the most horrific crimes Australia has ever seen, it's just beyond belief that you'd even be able to be eligible for parole, let alone get it." Lauren admits she is concerned about the potential release of the man she refers to as "the monster," but maintains her positive outlook, saying, "I guess we'll just deal with that when it comes to it."

On the day of the attack, Lauren was returning home from her marketing course. It was a hot day, and she opened the French doors at the back of her house. Farmer is believed to have surprised her, chasing her through the house and attacking her in the garage with heavy fibro-cutters. After tying her up with electrical cords and dousing her in petrol, he attempted to set the house on fire.

Christine, Pat, and Simone received alarming calls from neighbors, informing them that their house was on fire. Upon arriving, they learned that Lauren had been rushed to the hospital. Senior Constable Danny Eid discovered Lauren's body in the garage. He recalled, "It will stick with me for the rest of my life." He noticed inconsistencies at the scene, which led him to investigate further. His actions were crucial in saving Lauren's life, as she was in critical condition when she arrived at the hospital.

Doctors initially gave Lauren a five percent chance of survival due to severe injuries, including a smashed skull and broken eye sockets. Pat recalls a doctor explaining the dire situation, to which he responded, "You make her live and we'll do the rest."

Lauren does not remember waking from her induced coma 23 days later or the extensive surgeries that followed. Her family, however, vividly recalls the harrowing experience. They faced immense stress and fear, especially knowing her attacker was still at large. A DNA breakthrough eventually led to Farmer's arrest, bringing relief to the family.

During her recovery, Lauren underwent seven months of intensive rehabilitation. Initially, she struggled with her appearance and the physical limitations imposed by her injuries. However, she gradually learned to embrace her scars, stating, "I'm used to them. I guess they just show me what I've been through."

Four months after the attack, Lauren learned the details of her assault. She expressed shock but also gratitude for her survival. Although she did not attend Farmer's trial, she was present for his sentencing, acknowledging the gravity of what he had done.

In the years since the attack, Lauren has rebuilt her life. After turning 21, she traveled to the U.S. with Simone and has since visited several countries. She is now an aunt and enjoys spending time with her sister's daughters. Lauren has obtained her driver's license and works in Sydney's CBD, enjoying a social life with friends. "It's as normal as can be," she says, reflecting on her journey of recovery and resilience.