SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A 26-year-old California man is using a tragic experience to help others across the country. Cameron Clapp was only 15 when he lost both of his legs and an arm after being hit by a freight train after a night of underage drinking. Then, four years ago, he lost his twin brother to a drug overdose.

Now, Clapp is taking the tragedies he has faced in his life to help inspire other amputees and help youth make good decisions when it comes to drugs and alcohol.

On his trip across the country, Clapp visited two Syracuse hospitals and Hanger Clinic in East Syracuse, which sponsored his visit. There, Clapp talked to medical staff and recent amputees about his experiences over the past 11 years.

"If I can reach out to medical professionals and teach them some tools, or reach out to an amputee and show them what's possible, or even youth and to help them prevent from making a tragic mistake, then my purpose here in Syracuse has made a difference in the community,” said Clapp.

He says he travels across the country because he wants to give recent amputees hope for the future, and to tell them their life isn't over because they survived.