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Head Over Heels: A Story of Tragedy, Triumph and Romance in the Australian Bush
A story of tragedy, triumph and romance in the Australian bush
At the age of 19, a young farmer, Sam Bailey, miscalculated a bend in the road, overturned his ute and became a quadriplegic. After months of struggle, he learned how to resume his life as a farmer, running a sheep and cattle property in northwest New South Wales. then he met and fell in love with Jenny Black, an ABC Rural journalist, proposed to her on air, and the rest is history. Jenny tells Sam's story in his own laconic, wry style. By turns romantic, funny and moving, it affirms the strength of iron-willed determination and the power of love.
At the age of 19, a young farmer, Sam Bailey, miscalculated a bend in the road, overturned his ute and became a quadriplegic. After months of struggle, he learned how to resume his life as a farmer, running a sheep and cattle property in northwest New South Wales. then he met and fell in love with Jenny Black, an ABC Rural journalist, proposed to her on air, and the rest is history. Jenny tells Sam's story in his own laconic, wry style. By turns romantic, funny and moving, it affirms the strength of iron-willed determination and the power of love.
246 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 13, 2017
A wonderfully uplifting and inspirational story of one man's determination to overcome his disability and work the land he loved so much. When most would have given up on life, Sam Bailey forged ahead, beat the odds, and showed "his old mate quadriplegia" how it's done. Proof that determination and will power can beat anything, especially when you have the right people by your side to cheer you on. This was also an amazing story of how true love can see beyond limitations.
November 13, 2022
Us human beings do fall into the trap of taking many things for granted: our family, our friends, our job, our safety, our food, our freedom, our sight, our hearing, our legs - the list goes on and on, neverending because in many ways, existing as human beings is a gift. Look at the many who pass at an early age from illness, dying in some fluke accident, from war, from famine. A day alive is special, but is also something we easily take for granted. This is at least how I view life, and from my understanding, so does Sam Bailey.
Sam's story is one of optimism, one of gratitude, one that is powerful in so many ways. It's also a story I've been witness to many times in my life thanks to various involvement I've had with those impacted by spinal injuries. "Wheelies", as many call themselves, are some of the most inspiring people I've ever met. Not all of them have the same optimistic mindset of a Sam Bailey, but they all share a common relationship; one with quadriplegia, or for others, one with paraplegia. For Sam, his relationship with quadriplegia is defined at the end of his book in the chapter titled "My Mate Quadriplegia." I can only imagine Sam's "mateship" is one other "wheelies" hope to have in their lives.
After reading Head Over Heels, Sam Bailey reminds us, as stated in the blurb of the novel, "when you love your life, nothing is impossible." Amen to that!
Sam's story is one of optimism, one of gratitude, one that is powerful in so many ways. It's also a story I've been witness to many times in my life thanks to various involvement I've had with those impacted by spinal injuries. "Wheelies", as many call themselves, are some of the most inspiring people I've ever met. Not all of them have the same optimistic mindset of a Sam Bailey, but they all share a common relationship; one with quadriplegia, or for others, one with paraplegia. For Sam, his relationship with quadriplegia is defined at the end of his book in the chapter titled "My Mate Quadriplegia." I can only imagine Sam's "mateship" is one other "wheelies" hope to have in their lives.
After reading Head Over Heels, Sam Bailey reminds us, as stated in the blurb of the novel, "when you love your life, nothing is impossible." Amen to that!
November 23, 2025
Hearing Sam and Jenny’s story in person, just days before Sam’s passing, was a privilege that left a deep impact on me. I purchased their book to share this remarkable journey with my loved ones as Sam’s resilience and the absolute ‘grit’ he embodied throughout his life inspired me profoundly.
Learning of Sam’s death saddened me greatly, and as a future health professional, I find myself aspiring to practice with compassion, unlike some of those he encountered in his early care.
Rest in peace, Sam. Your legacy will continue to inspire many.
4.5/5 ⭐️
Learning of Sam’s death saddened me greatly, and as a future health professional, I find myself aspiring to practice with compassion, unlike some of those he encountered in his early care.
Rest in peace, Sam. Your legacy will continue to inspire many.
4.5/5 ⭐️
October 22, 2025
I’m sure it’s a bit trite to say this book is inspiring but I truly can’t think there is a better way to describe the reading experience. You never know how you would travel if you ever found yourself in such dramatic life changing circumstances.
Made poignant as I found myself reading it not long after news of Sam’s death was announced. Thoughts of care and love to his wife Jenny and all his family and multitude of friends.
Made poignant as I found myself reading it not long after news of Sam’s death was announced. Thoughts of care and love to his wife Jenny and all his family and multitude of friends.
June 9, 2019
A truly inspirational man! Sam is adamant that you must always give something a try - you will never know what you can/can't do unless you have a go! He is living proof that there is more to life than we realise and we should never take any part of our lives for granted.
October 11, 2017
I've probably read this book about 5 or 6 times. I think that says it all.
September 24, 2018
Sam Bailey tells his story with the help of his wife Jenny, a former journalist.
The story is related simply and is truly inspirational.
The story is related simply and is truly inspirational.
September 25, 2021
Inspirational and moving. Great book to put life back into perspective.
March 5, 2023
Wonderful read, make you appreciate what you have.
July 4, 2025
What an absolute corker of a read! Head Over Heels is the perfect title—because Sam Bailey spends half the book upside down, falling off things, crashing into life (literally), and somehow coming up grinning. This bloke doesn’t just live life—he grabs it by the horns, the tail, and probably the ears for good measure, and gives it a fair old shake.
Sam is a self-confessed accident magnet, but it’s not because he’s careless—it’s because he lives full throttle. And you’ve gotta admire that. He says somewhere in the book that life’s about taking risks, and he certainly walks the talk… even if he sometimes ends up flat on his back doing it.
The stories in here are a ripper. From the highs to the hard bits, Sam and Jenny take you along for the ride with warmth, grit, and a whole lot of humour. I loved Sam’s down-to-earth attitude—none of that high-falutin’ nonsense. Just a good, honest Aussie yarn told with heart.
What I really appreciated was the simplicity of it all. No bells and whistles, just great storytelling about a life fully lived—with a few bruises and a whole lot of laughs along the way. There’s inspiration in here, but it’s not the polished, Instagram-worthy kind. It’s the real, muddy-boots, have-a-crack kind. The kind that makes you want to stop whinging and get on with things.
If you're after a feel-good, laugh-out-loud, maybe-even-shed-a-tear read, give this one a go. It’s a beauty.
Thanks to Libraries ACT for a loan of the audiobook version, brilliantly read by William McInnes.
Sam is a self-confessed accident magnet, but it’s not because he’s careless—it’s because he lives full throttle. And you’ve gotta admire that. He says somewhere in the book that life’s about taking risks, and he certainly walks the talk… even if he sometimes ends up flat on his back doing it.
The stories in here are a ripper. From the highs to the hard bits, Sam and Jenny take you along for the ride with warmth, grit, and a whole lot of humour. I loved Sam’s down-to-earth attitude—none of that high-falutin’ nonsense. Just a good, honest Aussie yarn told with heart.
What I really appreciated was the simplicity of it all. No bells and whistles, just great storytelling about a life fully lived—with a few bruises and a whole lot of laughs along the way. There’s inspiration in here, but it’s not the polished, Instagram-worthy kind. It’s the real, muddy-boots, have-a-crack kind. The kind that makes you want to stop whinging and get on with things.
If you're after a feel-good, laugh-out-loud, maybe-even-shed-a-tear read, give this one a go. It’s a beauty.
Thanks to Libraries ACT for a loan of the audiobook version, brilliantly read by William McInnes.
August 29, 2014
This is a deeply moving book - both very sad, and very uplifting.
It gives a unique look into the life of a young man struck with tragedy in the form of a car accident resulting in disability. It follows the battles of getting through such, out of hospital and adapting to life and then conquering life.
Great book.
It gives a unique look into the life of a young man struck with tragedy in the form of a car accident resulting in disability. It follows the battles of getting through such, out of hospital and adapting to life and then conquering life.
Great book.
December 7, 2010
What a great bloke! I have a far greater appreciation for my life and the importance of having strength of mind and a positive attitude. At one point Sam said "Don't be afraid to be different" and I am carrying that one with me.
August 27, 2013
Read to me by William McInnes
Excellent insight into what life in a wheelchair is really like and how one decision can change a persons life forever. I loved getting to know Sam and Jenny, what an inspirational couple.
Now I need to watch their Australian Story episode again.
Excellent insight into what life in a wheelchair is really like and how one decision can change a persons life forever. I loved getting to know Sam and Jenny, what an inspirational couple.
Now I need to watch their Australian Story episode again.
June 23, 2009
Terrific true story. A young Aussie man becomes a quadriplegic after a car accident - but this doesn't stop him farming, driving, learning to fly and finding a partner for life.
January 26, 2013
What am amazing story of love, courage and the ability to tackle life full on despite challenges. I really enjoyed this book.
January 22, 2012
here is a story about someone who has courage and determination and refuses to be a 'victim'. Admirable
April 4, 2013
Book Club Book April 2013
March 23, 2010
Courage, tradgedy, getting on with life - Aussies thats what we do
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews