About the Author

Carmen's Legacy tells the story of a family's journey of tragedy and hope. At Age forty-two, John Maher was involved in a fatal car crash in which he was severely injured, and the eighteen-year-old driver of the other vehicle was killed. Thankfully, John was not at fault. However, his injuries were so severe that doctors informed him he would never work again. Married with four daughters in either secondary school or university, this was a tremendous blow to this young family.Ange (John's wife) had to return to work while John spent much of his time at physiotherapy, specialists, counselling, etc. John had twenty-six plates and screws in his face, neck, and back injuries, and what was rapidly becoming apparent, he had short-term memory problems.However, there was more tragedy to come for the Maher family. Just 30 months after John's horrific car crash, the youngest of their four beautiful daughters Carmen (18), was killed in a car crash when she fell asleep at the wheel of her car and hit a tree. In an even crueller twist, her eldest sister Michelle was the third car on the crash scene when on her way to work.Carmen's Legacy has many lessons, and possibly the most powerful is how the love and support of family can overcome even the most devastating and tragic event. Sadly many families have faced what this family had to face. A sequence of events is set in motion after the death of a family member in a car crash. Autopsy, selecting a burial plot, providing the clothes for your loved one to be buried in, arranging the funeral, the hymns, selecting the casket, and many more. All of these steps ended up with us burying our beautiful Carmen in a cemetery and leaving her there.Four 18-year-old students were killed in a car crash in Bendigo two years after Carmen's death. John immediately decided to educate young drivers about the dangers on our roads. He developed Carmen's Road Safety presentation and presented it at secondary schools. Telling Carmen's story to years 10, 11, and 12 students hoping they would never do to their family what Carmen has done to his.Carmen's Road Safety Presentation would soon become an Australian and International success. Conferences at Banks, Insurance companies, Community events, Sporting Clubs, and businesses would follow.Nominated for Australian of the Year on five occasions, he was named Australian of the day on December 5, 2015. Won Regional Achievement & Community Award, Victorian Road Safety Award, Ballarat Community Road Safety Award, and many more. Carmen's Road Safety story has empowered 450,000 students and hundreds of thousands of attendees at conferences, seminars, and other events.Carmen's Legacy, the book, will take you on our journey of triumph over tragedy. It will empower you to be a safer road user and help you understand who you are.The Maher family didn't know that on November 18, 1995, they would lose their beautiful Carmen forever. They would never be able to cuddle her again.We would love to give Carmen just one more cuddle.

Reviews

Donna: Hi John, I'm glad that you arrived home safely. I am the Adolescent health nurse whose life you impacted so immeasurably today. I hope you didn't mind that I felt compelled to hug you today. I was holding back the tears. I have never heard a more powerful address in my 18 years of nursing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful daughter Carmen's road safety message with everyone today. Keep on keeping on, John.
Nikky: (teacher) WOW, that is Amazing have just sent your email to the staff, who are soooo excited!! Had a great talk with the driver's ed students today and was amazed by what they took away from your presentation. The details and the message they both received and remembered were impressive. Please know that Carmen's message has and will continue to touch our school, and both teachers and students are very grateful you take the time to talk so passionately and honestly about subjects most would shy away from. A funny story for you, Robyn placed herself behind two troublesome students, ready to intervene if necessary, and she told the staff she did not have to move a muscle as they were so engaged and interested in your story, to which the staff were very impressed!! Hoping they could be like that every class!! Please keep us posted about future events, as it would be a pleasure to have you as part of the program!!
SarahHi, john. I was one of the year 12s at Lilydale today that heard your presentation. I've been thinking about your life story all day, and I have to say, you've inspired me. You are so strong to be doing what you're doing. And I pray for your family. I've experienced a loss recently too, and I had to step out for a quick moment. But you've shown me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that you can share your story to help others in life. I admit I used to be one of those kids that thought, 'it will never be me'. And we have had several seminars on road safety, but it's never stuck into my head. And I feel so stupid and selfish to think it would never be me. Because it could. You've opened up my eyes. I thank you so much for sharing your story with me. You inspire me and may have saved my life.
Brian: I genuinely feel you changed my life for the better today, and I want to thank you. I've recently been struggling with my personality, which has led to (quite unfortunately) depression. I'd been seriously considering suicide until today when you talked about how you went to counselling and then about how the death of your daughter affected everyone around her. It made me realize how selfish and unfair I would be, and again I have to thank you for that. I don't think this message accurately describes how grateful I am, I'm glad you came to talk at my school. I can't even begin to explain how you helped me, and when I think of all the other people with worse problems than mine, who are more or less open about it than myself, I know you helped them out, too. Please never stop doing what you are doing, it's great - and not only at saving lives on the road. Thank you, not only for myself but on the behalf of others too.
Georgia: It was an incredible talk today, I took so much away from it, I currently have a sister who has tried to commit suicide multiple times, after your presentation today, I will write down how much she is appreciated and loved as she must not realise it, and I will give it to her, and with Carmen's help it might make a difference.
Hayley: Jun 9th, 5:04 pm Hello! I just wanted to send you a quick message to let you know that the message you bring to students does stick with them. I recently got my p's, and the first thing I put in my new car was the bookmark you gave out. It sits with the st Christopher medal my dad gave me. Just so I always have a reminder to stay a safe driver and have someone watching over me.