Paralysed northern beaches mum Sam Bloom set to take part in global wheelchair race
A paralysed northern beaches mum and champion surfer will be taking part in a global race in her wheelchair on Sunday to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries.
A paralysed mum and champion surfer will be taking part in a global race in her wheelchair tomorrow to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries.
Sam Bloom, 47, of Newport, whose story will be played by actor Naomi Watts in an upcoming movie about her extraordinary life, said both runners and those in wheelchairs will be taking part in the race at Manly Beach on Sunday at 9pm.
“It’s going to take a while to find a cure but it will definitely happen,” she said.
“For me, I’m pretty old and when I see young people with spinal cord injuries it breaks my heart.
“I want a cure for them so they can live their lives fully.”
Mrs Bloom broke her back when a rotten balcony railing collapsed while on holiday in Thailand.
She fell six metres breaking her back.
She found hope in the unlikely form of a magpie the family rescued after her accident.
They helped save the bird, called Penguin, and it visited their home regularly, sitting on Mrs Bloom’s shoulder while she came to terms with her new life in a wheelchair.
Since that low period following the accident Mrs Bloom has fought hard to keep fit and active and was selected as a member of the Australian Adaptive Surf Team last year, winning gold and bronze medals world championships in California.
The Wings for Life race is being held at the same time across the globe and in Manly 200 people are expected to take part in the race tomorrow.
To register or donate go to wingsforlifeworldrun.com.
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