life changed completely. Words like power, strength, complete-ness,
security, beauty and success were replaced with: injury, pain,
handicapped, rehabilitation, prosthetics.
On June 24th, 1982, another day in the Lebanon War turned into a
special day for me. The explosion that took my hand also took my life
plans. I was a young soldier in the IDF's Golani unit, headed for officer
training; strong, attractive, full of self confidence – and I found myself
on the broiling ground, laying in my own blood, with- out my right
hand, and my face on fire. My screams cut the air and I knew I would
no longer be who I was before.
That same day, laying in a hospital bed, I didn't know how to deci-pher
my father's look; if it was one of sorrow, or of relief, that he hadn't lost
me – or one that expressed said "I accept our family's fate – that of loss
and mourning." The strength he held in his broad shoul-ders and large
hands, I have never seen in anyone else to this day. This same man was
also blessed with endless warmth and emotion. It is not easy to accept
those who are different. I don't mind drawing attention – I just want my
personality to be more significant than how I look. At the beginning, I
would hope that people didn't note my handicap. I would attempt to
divert their attention towards the attributes of my personality – making
efforts that wouldn't be needed if I had my right hand.
My story is about falling into a pit; which could have been impossi-ble
to escape and then creating a positive reality, one of strength and
significance despite the circumstances – one that was potentially better
than what it was before the injury.
Single Handed shares Hanoch Budin's experiences ranging from the
injury, rehabilitation, becoming an elite athlete with eight Olympic
medals (two Gold medals), family, career, management and leader-ship
to his participation in "Survivors", a reality television show.