Hello my name is Jean Johnson, I am 52 years old and I currently live in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. I am inspired by the Three Sisters Inspired, and being a single mother. You may be sitting there thinking, I am a safe driver this could never happen to me. But do you even know what distracted driving could be considered? This is everything from putting on your make-up, checking your hair in your mirror, or even eating that quick lunch on your way to your next destination. Now can you honestly say that you don't do any of these? If you said yes to even one of them, it could result in an accident because you do not have your full attention to driving your vehicle. Now do you want to risk your life or even the lives of others?

Jean Johnson transformed an unimaginable loss into a positive learning tool. Johnson, 52, of Saint Cloud was in a car crash October 28th, 2006, that killed her friend and left her clinging to life. Johnson was riding with her friend near Gilman when their car was broadsided by another car, she said. Her friend was on a cell phone at the time of the crash, and died instantly, Johnson said, The other driver failed to stop at a stop sign because she was distracted by her children in the back. Johnson suffered a tear in her aorta, whiplash, and a brain injury and severe bruising. Johnson slowly recovered, and is still dealing with some medical issues. She now wants to teach young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. She has contacted all local high schools and has talked to driving education classes about her experience. Her daughter, Nicole Daniel of Saint Cloud, watched her mother deal with the effects of the crash and now supports her efforts to teach. "Its something she feels like she has to do," Daniel said. "New drivers (need to) know that it can happen." Johnson has no memory of the crash or the medical treatment she received during the first couple months, she said. "I can't see it. I can't feel it," Johnson said. Johnson does remember that life she left behind. She had just started a new job at the St. Cloud State University that she loved. Life was good, she said. Now, Johnson cannot work because of her injuries. She cannot sit, stand, or walk for any period of time, she said. She also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet she is very grateful for the medical professionals who helped her recover. She wouldn't be here without their help, Johnson said. Johnson misses being with students, and thought others needed to hear her story, she said. She doesn't want to scare new drivers, but inform them. Johnson's presentation includes photographs of her crash and recovery and copies of the insurance bills. She encourages students to sign Oprah's No Phone Zone Pledge, in which drivers promise not to text and use only hands-free calling devices or not talk on the telephone at all while driving. Young drivers are noticing, Johnson said. She pulled out a scrapbook of notes from students she spoke with, They really think about it she said. And that's enough to transform her tragedy into something positive.