He has learnt that what matters most is how you respond to setbacks.

The owner of Southern Victorian Plumbing shared his story for the first time with the Warrnambool Clontarf Academy.

The group of indigenous boys welcome motivational speakers into their rooms at Warrnambool’s Brauer and Warrnambool College each fortnight.

Mr Smith’s message to the dozen youths gathered at Warrnambool College was simple.

 “Keep going. If you fall down, get back up again.”

The 47-year-old was involved in a life-changing accident on October 5 last year when the dump truck he was driving was partly crushed when it collided with a B-double milk tanker on Tooram Road at Allansford just before 3pm.

He was trapped in his truck for more than an hour before being airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.

“I was conscious for the first 20 minutes and then I was out to it,” he said.

The life-saving decision to amputate Mr Smith’s right leg just above the knee cap was made by family members while he was unconscious in hospital.

“I was alive, but just, and the damage meant the decision was very clear,” he said.

After the initial trauma Mr Smith then moved onto the next phase of recovery. His leg was replaced by a prosthetic (hydraulic knee and foot).

Mr Smith described his initial rehabilitation as confronting and at times “frustrating”. “I wanted to get straight up out of bed and get upright,” he said.

Doctors told Mr Smith he’d have to wait eight weeks and let the body heal before he could attempt to walk again. During this time he was able to access a rehab pool which assisted in muscle strengthening and relaxation. “They told me I’d have to wait eight weeks so eight weeks to the day I took my first steps,” he said. Mr Smith said he’d set himself small achievable goals to return to mobility.

He attended his daughter’s VCE graduation and his father’s 70th birthday during this time.

Darren thanked the Epworth in Hawthorn for assisting in his recovery.

“I would have fallen, stumbled or tripped 100 times,” he said. “The physio staff were very supportive and the use of the walking rails and aids enabled me to initially stand, load bear and to then walk gingerly.

“But sometimes I’d fall down. And I’d get back up and try again. I knew I just had to keep going.

“By 10 weeks I was walking unassisted.”

Working toward his goal of returning home to Warrnambool, Mr Smith said recovery included more than physical healing. “It was getting near Christmas and I was keen to come home to family and friends,” he said. “I wanted to get home.”

It was more than physical fitness he had to deal with.

“It’s not just the visible scars,” he said.

Mr Smith used his first public speaking session to remind Clontarf’s young men there is no shame in accepting help.

“People generally want to help. I learnt that it’s very rare that if you ask someone for help, they don’t want to,” he said. “Ninety-nine per cent of people will want to help you.”

“If you ask that one per cent and they aren’t there for you, then move on and find someone who will.

“No one’s on this planet alone.”

Mr Smith said young men could learn from others. 

“As a group of young men you’ll need role models with positive stories. Whether it’s a parent, a football coach, a teacher or a mate.”

Warrnambool Clontarf director Mick Riddle reinforced the need to reach out.

“You don’t need to battle through hardships or difficulties on your own,” he said. “Use the positive people around you who offer to help. Use resources. As young men you need to reach out and speak about how you’re travelling.”