The author-philanthropist and 2009 Young Australian of the Year finalist returned to town this week, meeting again with students and members of the public in motivational assemblies.

He stopped in at Young High School before making his way to  Young Town Hall to speak with Hennessy Catholic College students on Wednesday.

The hall’s doors also opened later that night, the this time to the Young community to hear about Sam’s journey and his message – which is “you don’t bounce back but bounce forward through difficult times”.

In October 2006 Sam’s life changed forever when he was involved in a major car accident, where he was pronounced dead.

Paramedics were able to resuscitate him but the effects of the crash left Sam with an amputated right arm and a permanent disability in his right leg.

He was hospitalised for over five months and was told he may not survive.

His best case scenario was that if he was to live, he would never walk again. 

But Sam was determined not to live as a victim of a tragic accident and instead chose to seize the opportunity of “life”.

This decision enabled him to stand before Young citizens last week to share his story, mental resilience and inspire others.

Students and community members had the opportunity to watch Sam - also a highly skilled musician - play guitar.

It’s an act very few amputees around the world can undertake  with an above elbow amputation.

He also brags about having the most advanced bionic arm in the world which he programs with his iPhone 5.