“It’s not what happens to you that matters most. It’s what you do about it.”

That’s one of the messages 23-year-old Cameron Clapp, a triple amputee from California, delivered during a recent presentation to Fairlawn’s staff.

Cameron had both his legs amputated above the knee and his right arm to just below the shoulder after being struck by a train at age 15. Following extensive rehabilitation and a series of prosthetic limbs, each more advance than the last, he began resuming the active lifestyle he had before his accident.

Today, along with running, golfing, swimming, surfing, and even kayaking, he’s branched out to acting, public speaking, and counseling other amputees, including veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. But there was a time, shortly after his amputations, that one doctor told Cameron he would do none of those things.

It was that doctor’s comment that led Cameron to deliver what he said was his most important message for rehab professionals. “Don’t judge your patients. Don’t set up obstacles for them,” he said. “Always ask your patients what their goals are and then give them all the opportunities you can to help them reach those goals.”

The best way to accomplish that he said is through teamwork. “If the entire team – the doctors, therapists, prosthetists, patient, and the family – all work together, that makes everything possible,” he said.

Cameron’s initial goal – mobility – remained elusive for a while because he kept falling while trying to walk with his first pair of full-length prosthetic legs. So he tried out a set of shorter ones to help him find his balance and began swimming to improve his endurance and strength.

With those goals accomplished, he then moved on to prosthetic legs containing computer chips that allow him to walk faster, more smoothly, and navigate different terrains. Cameron’s collection of prosthetics also includes a foot that fits directly into ski bindings, as well as legs with flippers and an arm with a plastic paddle for swimming.

Along with speaking before rehab professionals, Cameron, who says his accident was caused by drinking alcohol, also speaks to young people about the consequences of bad decision-making. “Now my goal is to give back, to help other people, and to reach out to the youth of America to encourage them to make good choices,” he said.

His efforts toward that goal, as well as his participation in the Endeavor Games, a nationally recognized competition for athletes with physical disabilities, earned Cameron the 2005 Shining Star Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations whose achievements further the potential of people with disabilities. Past recipients have included Christopher Reeve and Ray Charles.

And if that’s not enough, Cameron is also trying out the acting field, apprearing in NBC’s My Name Is Earl, HBO’s Carnivale, and last year’s feature film Stop-Loss. He’s also attending college in California, with the goal of one day working in the field of prosthetics.

Part of Fairlawn’s celebration of Physical Therapy Month, Cameron’s visit was sponsored by Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, which performs the fitting and maintenance of his artificial limbs.

Left: Cameron Clapp speaks to Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital’s staff about his prosthetics.

Right: Following his presentation, Cameron Clapp takes time to chat with Joel Milliard, who had both of his legs amputated following a motorcycle accident.