BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. -- A South Florida woman, whose story of survival captivated the nation six years ago, has passed another milestone in her life.

Tillie Tooter, the grandmother who survived three says in a snake-infested mangrove swamp in August 2000 when her car was run off the road, has just turned 90-year-old.

Tooter talked exclusively to Local 10, and said she approached her birthday like she has every day of her life since the rescue – with a positive attitude,

"It's a miracle. My whole life was a miracle," she said.

She survived her ordeal, upside down in her wrecked car after it flew off a 595 overpass and into the swamp. She lived on rainwater, chewing gum and a cough drop until she was rescued after a teenager Justin Vanelli, who working on a road crew, spotted her.

"I feel wonderful about living this long. I never expected to. If it wasn't for a 15-year-old boy who was curious, they never would have found me," Tooter said.

She emerged from the crash with painful injuries to her neck and right arm, but also with a new focus.

"Every minute counts," she said. "Take whatever you can out of this life. Every bit of joy and every bit of pleasure and give as much as you can."

Since the wreck, she's spoken to dozens of groups, many at retirement homes. Her lecture tour has raised more than $25,000 that has gone to the families of the victims of 9/11.

"This is the reason I go to these places. I'm told I inspire them at these homes. I don't consider myself old, because age is a number. It's just a number and up here I don't feel old, because I don't think I'm old."

Tooter savors simple pleasures: poker with friends, visits with her children and her grandchildren -- and her birthday.

Her children, grandchildren and more than 60 of her friends will celebrate her 90th birthday with her Saturday afternoon at the Hillcrest Golf and Country Club.

When asked what she would like to get as a gift, Tooter said, "An extension of life. What more can you ask for -- to be with the people you love and who love you."