A Passage to Africa

By Lisa Bendall

Steven Cosman’s dream to visit Kenya is about eight years old now. He studied the central east African country at the University of Calgary, where he attained his degree in biochemistry. However, it was an attendant at a group home where Steve once lived who especially sparked his interest in the third world nation. A native Ugandan, the attendant had been forced to leave his homeland as a child in 1972. He remembered much about his younger days and "frankly he would have made a good salesman," Steve said. "He painted a very good picture of everything."

Steve formed a committee at the University of Calgary to pursue his goal. He took the advice of a good friend serving on the committee and gathered together many experts in different fields - professors, money handlers - as well as a few people to co-produce a film. When the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) joined the team they "made excellent steps forward - gigantic." Steve’s wish to see Kenya "metamorphosized from simply self-centred ambition to travel" into the motion picture that is now imminent.

When Steve was born 33 years ago, there was no detectable sign of disability. But at the age of 12 he was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia. Between 13 and 16 his condition "really manifested itself" and he was using a wheelchair by 15. Subsequently it seemed to have slowed down.

"When this was diagnosed, his life expectancy was not supposed to have been any more than about 22 or 25", said Don Cosman, Steve’s father. Steve was treated at a clinic in Germany. A later consultation with the doctor revealed he had not responded to treatment. He was told he was "not a true ataxic." Presently, the nature of Steve’s disability is less clear.

The disorder has affected Steve’s mobility, the motor nerve functions in his arms and hands, his hearing and his vision. "But at least I can take some consolation in the fact that my mind is not going," Steve reflected.

The film, titled "A Passage To Africa: The Steve Cosman Expedition," is "a personal chronicle" that portrays the fulfilment of Steve’s goals as he travels to Kenya. Yet he pointed out, "the trip is not too significant... It (the film) will show me having ambition to do something. In this case that something is taking a trip, so the trip will be important to an extent, but I think the ambition is more important."

Co-producers Michelle C. Manning and Richard Zywotkiewicz, Director of photography Rick Gustafsen, Steve’s assistant (his brother Ken) and possibly a gofer will be with him on the plane to Kenya.

Some of the scenes have already been filmed at the Cosman family cabin. The crew plans to leave for Africa in late October and will stay one month for the rest of the filming.

The impact of his dream becoming reality is starting to hit Steve.

"Before I was quite cool - I think I’m still cool, but getting warmer."

Steve’s family is supportive and proud. "Steven has done a lot of things in his life that most people would not have done. They wouldn’t have had the patience or the ability," said his father, Don. He described the challenge that faced his son when he entered a university for which his previous schooling had left him ill prepared, and which was also ill prepared for him.

"I was never a particularly bright student," Steve observed. "But I had the ability to graduate, and that’s exactly what got me through - just perseverance."

Steve enjoys using his computer in his spare time, but he’s had a lot less of that since the project got underway. He’s fond of the Montreal Expos, but "you don’t mention their name now," he joked, referring to their recent performance. Steve has even kept exotic birds. He’s also occupied with his new home care programme which gives him responsibility for staffing. "My days are quite short to devote to any one thing," Steve said.

He has been getting feedback about the project. "I’ve received a lot of negative comments... from, particularly, disabled groups, who will say that they believe that no one person with a disability should be singled out and treated differently. And that’s right in principle, but they’re failing to see reality. And reality right now dictates that a lot of people with disabilities over the age of 18 spend their lives in institutions or in homes. They do not do anything. They lack the ambition.

"Most people with disabilities have more ambition than they believe they have."

Steve is hoping to inspire not just people with disabilities but anyone at all with ambition, with his production of A Passage To Africa.

The motion picture is scheduled to be released in the spring.

(Lisa Bendall is an ABILITIES staff writer.)