Record-breaking Flight after a Big Downfall. The “Arm-Man” book about Lieutenant Colonel Sargis Stepanyan is published (trailer in Armenian)

In the “Arm-Man” book the author tells about destiny, difficulties, challenges, finding the motivation to live again, creating new victories. Sargis’s memoirs appeared on the pages of the book through the joint efforts with military journalist Davit Davtyan. David emphasizes that the creative work lasted for two years.“For two years I have been in intensive contact with Sargis Stepanyan. We found a common ground quickly. We are both military people, we both fully understand the weight of combat tasks, especially the limits of talking about them. I had dozens of conversations with him, not counting the electronic communication.”

Lieutenant Colonel Stepanyan's parents, wife and two sons actively participated in the creation of the book, presenting details that Sargis Stepanyan did not properly remember or modestly kept silent about. From each page of the book, the image of the hero of our time, a strong-willed lieutenant colonel, is collected and formed part by part. He was already walking shortly after losing both of his legs and one arm in 2014 due to a serious injury. “The most horrible thing was my half-appearance. I was a tall soldier with strong muscles. Now, I was paralyized in just one half of the bed. That moment was even more horrible and incomprehensible than the physical pain.”

The book contains interviews with military friends, relatives and doctors. Doctor Vahan Voskanyan highlights: “Sargis had injuries not compatible with life. He just whispered one sentence before the intubation - “save me, if you can, I have two sons and they need me.” The smell of blood was all over the room and the air conditioner wasn’t working properly. It was also difficult psychologically. Initially, there was a 190 cm strong man in front of you. In the end you see: 140 cm left, then 120. It was a difficult scene.”

Only a week after the incident, he picked up the phone and called his wife, Armine. Armine thought that she wouldn’t be able to meet her husband in such a condition, but after the first visit she gained the strength to ask questions, have a conversation and started to cut fruits. Suddenly she noticed the doctors' eyes from the side.   “At that moment, I remembered an elderly Russian military couple. During the interview, the husband said that it is difficult to be a military man, but it is even more difficult to be the wife of a military man. The military's wife is one rank higher than he is.”

The book, co-authored by a journalist and a military man, is written without any exaggerations. It is a completely accurate and sincere conversation about a man with a strong personality. Sargis and Davit tried to present all the details, but avoided to specifically target the reader’s psychology. Sargis wrote honestly about his feelings.

“I carried my sufferings in silence. I could look at the ceiling for hours. My eyes were filled with tears. When Armine and the doctors approached, I closed my eyes, as if I was sleeping. Then I comforted myself that my eyes were open, I was breathing, I had the opportunity to see my children, my parents, my wife. After all, in the worst case scenario I could even be deprived of that opportunity.”

The "Arm-Man" is not just a simple biography, it is like a training book full of psychological advice on how to get out of a great tragedy and change.  By his own experience he proves that everything is possible if you want to make a change. This book can be a motivation for people who have disabilities and can inspire them to stand up and take steps. 

The premiere of the film "Stand Up" will take place on the day of the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Armed Forces, on January 28, at 13:00 in "Moscow" cinema. Entry is by invitation. On the same day, at 11:30 pm, the TV premiere of the film will take place on Armenia TV.

On the same evening, at 23:00, the talk show "Iron Will" with the participation of Sargis, his friends and the creative team of the book will be broadcasted on Armenia TV.