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VIDEO: What Doesn't Kill You | Ghanim Al Shnen

Producer Greg Hassall
  • Australian Story

12h ago12 hours agoThu 19 Mar 2026 at 3:39am
Bearded man in yellow shirt leans against a house exterior brick wall. He has two black artificial arms.

Ghanim Al Shnen uses robotic arms for some daily tasks after losing both his arms in a workplace accident. (Australian Story: Tom Hancock)

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Introduced by Australian Story presenter Leigh Sales

Six years ago, Australian Story followed Iraqi refugee Ghanim Al Shnen over six months as he dealt with the aftermath of a catastrophic workplace accident. After having both arms amputated, he underwent ground-breaking surgery in order to have robotic arms attached. 

At the time of filming he was learning how to operate one robotic arm, with the other still to be built. He was also fighting to remain in Australia and be re-united with his wife and children, who had settled as refugees in Finland.  

Australian Story recently caught up with Ghanim to see how things worked out. 

Airs Monday March 23, 8pm (AEDT), on ABCTV and ABC iview.

  • Human Interest

  • Medical Procedures

  • Refugees

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