Episode 37: Sam Bloom, the real-life star of hit movie, <em>Penguin Bloom</em>, talks about her deeply moving follow-up memoir, <em>Heartache and Birdsong</em>

Sam Bloom is the real-life star of the best-selling book Penguin Bloom by Bradley Trevor Greive and Cameron Bloom and the hit movie of the same name. In this follow-up memoir Sam recounts in her own words the story of the life she led before a horrendous accident in Thailand in 2013 that left her paralysed. She describes her childhood years on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, as a tomboy with a passion for surfing. When she meets local photographer Cameron they soon realise they are soulmates and they travel the world together. They settle down in Sydney and have three sons in quick succession. Sam is a super-fit, active mum. When all of the boys are still under 10 the family sets off on a trip to Thailand which will have repercussions for all of them for the rest of their lives. Here Sam talks with brutal frankness about her initial despair, her constant pain – and how a small fluffy bird brought the damaged family back together and inspired Sam to try new things, like kayaking and surfing. An awe-inspiring real-life story of love, courage and resilience.