"Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another."
— George Eliot

Sidiki Conde was stricken by polio at age 14 and lost the use of his legs while growing up in Guinea, West Africa. His mother's love and support helped carry him through the hard times in a culture that viewed disabled people as completely useless.

"Life has to be taken day by day, hour by hour."
— C. S. Lewis

Sidiki came to New York City and found himself an apartment which he tailor-made to his needs. In the opening scenes of this documentary directed by Alan Govenar, we see Sidiki going through his morning routines — getting out of bed, showering, brushing his teeth, feeding his cats— and then we watch his arduous journey down five flights of stairs balancing on his two arms, thrusting his body forward. Near the entrance to his building, he puts together his wheel chair and rolls off to a new day.

"Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."
— Mother Teresa

Sidiki teaches drumming and music to children and his obvious delight and pleasure in being with them and doing what he loves has a positive effect on the kids whose spirits are lifted up in his presence. The only drawback to his teaching and to this documentary is that his heavy Guinean accent sometimes makes it hard to understand what he is saying.

"Dancing is not rising to your feet painlessly like a whirl of dust blown about by the wind. Dancing is when you rise above both worlds, tearing your heart to pieces and giving up your soul."
— Rumi

We wait most of this documentary to see Sidiki dance and it is well worth it. He taps into his Divine energy (as a devout Muslim believer) which helps him transcend his disability and express his thanks for the gifts of life, zest, and movement!


Special features on the DVD include an audio commentary with the director; "Making The Connections": behind the scenes of Disconnect.