CAPE CORAL - A Cape Coral teen is part of Florida history. Jeff Johnston's name is attached to Florida's first anti-bullying measure, signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist. Jeff's mother, Debbie, led the crusade for Jeff's law.

"I worried about kidnappers, and murderers, and drugs, and alcohol, and gangs and all those things outside. I never for an instant considered that I'd lose my son by his own hand," Debbie Johnston said.

Jeff Johnston took his own life in June of 2005. His mother says it followed years of teasing and harrassment, first in middle school, and continuing to high school; both to his face, and in statements online.

"But because there was no law, no crime had taken place," Johnston said. "Florida's got a law now."

Soon after her son's death, Debbie Johnston started fighting to protect other children, hoping to pass a law requiring schools to do more to notify parents and stop the teasing and harrassment; and not just for the victims, but for the bullies as well.

"Jeff's law was not designed to be punitive. It was designed to protect students who become the victims of this person, and to get help and treatment for these kids who are exhibiting the bullying behavior."

It took Debbie Johnston nearly three years of trips to Tallahassee to get Jeff's Law passed. She committed to wearing one pair of shoes throughout that fight. Now, those shoes are retired and replaced, but her crusade is not over. Johnston says she's now pushing for national laws to protect kids across the country from bullying.

"You know, I think he really has changed the world."