Cameron Clapp
{{short description|American athlete|bot=PearBOT 5}}
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| name = Cameron Clapp (triple amputee)
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| occupation = motivational speaker, actor, Athlete
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Cameron Clapp (born February 18, 1986) is an American athlete. As a triple amputee, he has become a motivational speaker, mentor to young amputees, and amputee activist. He is also an actor.
He has been characterized as the "quintessential California teenager" for "his blond hair, buff torso, and megawatt smile" albeit "on a pair of shiny, state-of-the-art robotic legs."{{cite news|url= http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Robo-legs:+new+prosthetic+limbs+are+providing+increased+mobility+for...-a0137871955|title= Robo-legs: new prosthetic limbs are providing increased mobility for many amputees--and blurring the line between humans and machines|publisher= New York Times Upfront|first= Michael|last= Marriott|date= October 10, 2005|access-date= October 30, 2012|archive-date= October 13, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121013014826/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Robo-legs%3a+new+prosthetic+limbs+are+providing+increased+mobility+for...-a0137871955|url-status= live}}
On February 13, 2024, Clapp was arrested by the FBI in Los Angeles for his role in the January 6 United States Capitol attack in Washington, D.C. Clapp was sentenced to probation on November 4, 2024. On January 20, 2025, the first day of the second presidency of Donald Trump, Clapp was pardoned along with nearly every other participant in the riot.
Amputation
=Accident and recovery=
On September 15, 2001, at the age of 15, Clapp was hit by a high-speed Union Pacific freight train. He had been drinking at a ceremony commemorating victims of the September 11 attacks and was unable to remember passing out on a railroad track near his home in Atascadero, California.{{cite news |url=http://www.timespressrecorder.com/articles/2004/06/25/news/news01.txt |title=Nothing's impossible |newspaper=Times Press Recorder |date=2004-06-24|first=Emily |last=Slater |access-date=2007-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618012932/http://www.timespressrecorder.com/articles/2004/06/25/news/news01.txt |archive-date=2009-06-18}} His blood alcohol content was found to be .229.{{cite web | date = December 5, 2008 | url = http://overlawyered.com/tag/aramark/ | title = December 2001 archives, part 2 | work = Overlawyered | publisher = Cato Institute | access-date = September 13, 2010 | last = Olson | first = Walter | quote = | archive-date = August 26, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100826024544/http://overlawyered.com/tag/aramark/ | url-status = live }} His injuries required the amputation of both his legs above his knees and his right arm slightly below his shoulder.
Clapp underwent extensive rehabilitation at the Hanger Clinic.{{cite journal | url = http://www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion_online/inmotion-23-02-web/index.html#/4/ | title = I'mPOSSIBLE | journal = InMotion | publisher = Amputee Coalition | date = March–April 2013 | volume = 23 | issue = 2 | page = 4 | access-date = 2014-02-24 | archive-date = 2014-01-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140131185219/http://www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion_online/inmotion-23-02-web/index.html#/4/ | url-status = live }} He mastered independent walking only five months after the accident, an exceptional accomplishment.{{citation|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5450251584057734356 |title=Cameron Clapp Speech Preview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622081758/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5450251584057734356 |archive-date=June 22, 2011 }} He is quoted as saying, "I left the wheelchair five months after the accident and I don't want to have to use it again."{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
=Prosthetics=
=Amputee activism=
Clapp has become a mentor and inspiration{{cite news | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/news/amputee-an-inspiration-to-others/ | title = Amputee An Inspiration To Others | first = Daniel | last = Schorn | work = CBS | date = December 29, 2005 | access-date = February 24, 2014 | archive-date = March 1, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140301225813/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/amputee-an-inspiration-to-others/ | url-status = live }} for amputees. He is a certified peer visitor with the Amputee Coalition of America. He advocates breakthrough technologies as a means of shattering the barriers between the disabled and the mainstream.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
Clapp has devoted hundreds of hours in counseling young amputees as to the endless possibilities of attaining mainstream functionality after life-altering loss of limbs. As part of this effort, he attends Camp No Limits in Maine, and mentors amputees such as Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman.{{cite web | url = http://www.charlottecleverleybisman.com/index2.html | title = Camp No Limits : August 2013 | publisher = CharlotteCleverleyBisman.com | quote = Charlotte reunites with her friend and mentor Cameron Clapp at Camp No Limits, Maine, USA August 2013 | access-date = 2014-02-24 | archive-date = 2013-09-29 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130929151100/http://www.charlottecleverleybisman.com/index2.html | url-status = live }}
His amputee activism has included extensive visitation and counseling of returning veterans of the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan who have sustained the loss of limbs. This includes multiple appearances at Walter Reed Army Medical Center's "Warriors in Transition" program.{{cite web | url = http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/WarriorsInTransition/Pages/default.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110615202735/http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/WarriorsInTransition/Pages/default.aspx | archive-date=June 15, 2011 | access-date = 24 February 2014 | title = WRAMC > Warriors In Transition | publisher = Walter Reed Army Medical Center}}
In November 2005 he was honored with a Shining Star award at the 58th annual Shining Star Awards Gala,{{citation | url = http://www.vkhanna.com/documents/job.pdf | title = Silver Linings: 58th Annual Awards Dinner Dance Gala | publisher = Just One Break, Inc. (JOB) | date = November 30, 2005 | location = New York, New York | access-date = 2009-07-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080907114827/http://www.vkhanna.com/documents/job.pdf | archive-date = 2008-09-07 | url-status = dead }} an honor previously bestowed upon Christopher Reeve and Ray Charles. Sponsored by Just One Break Inc. (JOB), a national nonprofit organization{{cite web | url = http://www.justonebreak.com/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130905204052/http://www.justonebreak.com/ | archive-date = September 5, 2013 | title = Just One Break, Inc. (JOB) Family of Services | publisher = Just One Break, Inc.}} founded in part by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1947 to promote the employment of disabled World War II service veterans,{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} the award "recognize[s] individuals and organizations whose achievements and/or support further the potential of people with disabilities, either by example or by supporting JOB in its mission of helping qualified applicants obtain sustainable employment."
Athletics
Before the accident Clapp had been an active athlete.
He has since participated in numerous athletic competitions for amputees. He competed in the University of Central Oklahoma's Endeavor Games from 2002 to 2005. Cameron's gold and silver medal accomplishments include running 100 meters in only 18 seconds and swimming 20 laps.
He aspires to compete in the Paralympic Games, although he jokes that "there aren't enough athletes in my category. I'm the only triple amputee that runs!"{{citation | url = http://www.oandp.com/articles/2006-02_01.asp | title = Unquenchable Spirit: The Cameron Clapp Story | date = February 2006 | publisher = The O&P EDGE | first = Sherry | last = Metzger | access-date = 2009-07-22 | archive-date = 2009-04-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090415165145/http://www.oandp.com/articles/2006-02_01.asp | url-status = live }}
Acting career
Clapp's acting career has spanned television and film.
In 2005 his accident and miraculous recovery was featured on the Discovery Channel series Medical Incredible.{{citation|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-933936669450038099 |title=Cameron Clapp, Medical Incredibles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612012443/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-933936669450038099 |archive-date=June 12, 2011 }}
His television roles have included Jake, the no-legged boyfriend of the one-legged Didi (played by Tracy Ashton) in NBC's My Name Is Earl.{{cite news | date = November 22, 2005 | title = His loss is his gain| quote = Cameron made the local news yesterday... also don't forget to watch Cameron on "My Name is Earl" tonight, Tuesday 11/22/05, on NBC... He's on the beginning of the show so don't tune in late! | newspaper = The Tribune | first = Patrick S. | last = Pemberton}}{{cite news | date = October 17, 2005 | title = Behind the scenes, 'Earl' is as quirky as its plotlines | first = Bill | last = Keveney | newspaper = USA Today | location = Van Nuys, California | url = http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-10-17-earl-side_x.htm | access-date = 2014-02-24 | archive-date = 2012-10-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121010105635/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-10-17-earl-side_x.htm | url-status = live }} He also appeared in HBO's Carnivàle as the character of Management.
He portrayed a wounded service member in the 2008 feature film Stop-Loss. He also played the role of "The Total Package" in Comedy Central's Workaholics.
Legal issues
On February 13, 2024, Clapp was arrested in Los Angeles by the FBI for his participation in the January 6 United States Capitol attack.{{Cite web|last=McDougall|first=AJ|date=2024-02-13 |title=FBI Arrests Triple Amputee for Jan. 6 Capitol Break-in |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/fbi-arrests-triple-amputee-cameron-clapp-for-breaking-into-the-capitol-on-jan-6/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=The Daily Beast |language=en}} On November 4, 2024, Clapp was sentenced to probation.{{Cite web|date=2024-11-04|title=Cambria man sentenced in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol attack|url=https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/triple-amputee-from-central-coast-sentenced-in-connection-with-jan-6-capitol-attack|access-date=2024-11-04 |website=KSBY-TV|language=en}} On January 20, 2025, the first day of the second presidency of Donald Trump, Clapp was pardoned along with nearly every other participant in the riot.{{cite news|last1=Richer|first1=Alanna Durkin|last2=Kunzelman|first2=Michael|url=https://apnews.com/article/capitol-jan-6-pardons-trump-justice-department-8ce8b2a8f8cb602d5eaf85ac7b969606|title=Trump grants sweeping pardon of Jan. 6 defendants, including rioters who violently attacked police|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=January 22, 2025}}
Personal life
Cameron Clapp was born on February 18, 1986, along with an identical twin brother named Jesse. Clapp lived in Arroyo Grande, California. On January 2, 2008,{{cite web | url = http://www.fallenclassmates.com/arroyo-grande-high-school-arroyo-grande-ca.html | title = ~~Arroyo Grande High School, California~~ | publisher = FallenClassmates.com | access-date = February 24, 2014 | archive-date = March 4, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140304083506/http://www.fallenclassmates.com/arroyo-grande-high-school-arroyo-grande-ca.html | url-status = live }} Jesse was found dead from a drug overdose in a home in Grover Beach, California.{{cite news |url=http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=7577630 |title=Brother of a young Five Cities triple prosthetic athlete found dead in a Grover Beach home |publisher=KSBY 6 |date=2008-01-03 |access-date=2008-01-04}}{{dead link|date=February 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://sc.judsonisd.org/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=4&viewType=detail&id=10477 |title=Trilateral amputee to share story with JLA students |publisher=Judson Independent School District |date=2009-01-23 |access-date=2009-07-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904150336/http://sc.judsonisd.org/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=4 |archive-date=September 4, 2009 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://cameronclapplive.com/ Cameron Clapp's website]
- {{IMDb name|1869657}}
{{January 6 United States Capitol attack navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clapp, Cameron}}
Category:American disabled sportspeople
Category:People from Arroyo Grande, California
Category:People from Atascadero, California
Category:Sportspeople from San Luis Obispo County, California
Category:Convicted participants in the January 6 United States Capitol attack