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Victims of distracted driving caution Boardman students to celebrate responsibly
BOARDMAN
Less than four years ago, Mindy Cooper suffered a broken back, paralyzed vocal cord and traumatic brain injury after she was hit by a car driven by a drunken driver.
Cooper, now 20, told Boardman High School juniors and seniors Friday about her experience when she was a student at Southeast High School near Ravenna.
“I had to learn to walk again. I took two steps and had to stop, but that was enough for everyone to cheer,” Cooper said.
“You know how you remember a dream you had from last week? That is how every day was like, all because someone decided to drive when they were drunk. It’s the most selfish decision a person can make,” she added.
Cooper was one of several speakers who addressed students on the day of Boardman High’s prom. The program highlights the dangers of impaired or distracted driving as prom and commencement approach. It was organized by the Parent, Teacher, Student Association.
Cooper described how her life completely changed because of the drunken-driving accident.
“I still have a lot of challenges. I have to write everything down. I still get headaches. I have a learning disability, even though I’m in college now. I’m 20 years old, and I can’t ride a bike. I used to, but now I don’t have the balance,” she said.
Students also heard from Sarah Wilson, a nurse whose brother, Dave Muslovski, 55, of Springfield Township, was killed in 2010 by a woman who was texting while driving.
Micah Jones, 31, also explained to Boardman students how another person’s decision affected her life forever. Summer 2004 was an exciting time for Jones. She was enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University and had just gotten an internship with a prestigious record company.
She was walking to a cab July 9 when she was hit by an off-duty police officer who was driving drunk and didn’t have the headlights on. Like Cooper, Jones suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.
As she showed home videos of her recovery and work with Brain Song: The Micah Jones Foundation which she created, Jones implored students to think about their actions.
“I dated the same guy for five years. I don’t remember him. I went to prom. I don’t remember it. Don’t make that decision. ... I can’t remember high school. I may not even remember talking to you guys. Don’t hurt yourself. Don’t hurt someone else because you all have wonderful lives ahead of you,” Jones said.
Then she asked the students to repeat after her, and the students’ voices rose together in the auditorium: “We’ll make good decisions tonight, Micah,” they said.