A personal reflection
By Scott McCormack, Swany’s Challenge Facilitator & Cousin to Jonathan ‘Swany’ Cosman
Jonathan ‘Swany’ Cosman
1993-2019
Jon’s middle name was David. He was named after my father David Scott McCormack. Like his uncle David, Jon loved spending time outdoors with family and friends.
When I was young, my father took me on paddling trips to remote parts of Nova Scotia. Although he died at the age of thirty-six, when I was just twelve years old, I still benefit from those paddling trips today, thirty years later. I gained many important life lessons from those experiences. They taught me healthy ways to relieve stress, life skills, and how to foster meaningful inter-personal relationships. They laid the groundwork for me to continue engaging in outdoor experiences during difficult times while also enriching my life.
Evidence shows both physical activity and being in nature have many mental health benefits such as decreased stress, improved concentration and, enhanced mood. Furthermore, experiences on or near the water have been recognized to increase calmness and diminish anxiety. It is not a wonder that being on the water was a happy place for both my father David, and Cousin Jon, just as it always has been for me.
I’d been meaning to go on a paddling trip with Jon. After we lost Jon in March 2019, Swany’s Challenge was created. Jon’s Therapist Nick Cardone, his Aunt Dawn, and I, put a lot of work into creating this program. Swany’s Challenge was a way of going on that paddling trip with Jon, while simultaneously helping young men who’ve found themselves in similarly challenging life situations.
It’s always a great moment when I get on the water, either alone or with a group, but this time it was very special and symbolic. I was so impressed with the courage, honesty and humility of the participants. Simply showing up to step outside of your comfort zone can be one of the biggest challenges.
We had a fun trip, saw some amazing sights, and paddled in some big open ocean swells, but the four day kayaking expedition was so much more than a getaway. Tough and honest conversations were had at the group meetings. A group culture of mutual respect was established from the beginning. What each member of the group brought to the table was what really made the trip. Slowing down and being on the water, on the ocean is very humbling and invites honesty. The intrinsic healing qualities of the ocean coupled with the meaningful interactions from the group set the stage for a path of hope and recovery.
‘Jon was a generous soul with a huge heart who would want those who are struggling to take each day as a new day of hope in recovery.’ I feel like as a group we accomplished this. It felt like Jon was right there with us on that trip, and will be for many more to come.