Stories From

Bozeman & Beyond

Vasu Sojitra

Diversity, Inclusion & Intersectionality in the outdoors

When Vasu was only nine months old, he was diagnosed with septicemia, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Since then, Vasu has not looked back. With the motto of “ ninjasticking through the wood to bring intersectionality to the outdoors,” Vasu continues to challenge the biases that go with being a Disabled person of color through his intersectional work.

About Vasu:
When Vasu was only nine months old, he was diagnosed with septicemia, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Since then, Vasu has not looked back; with the help of his parents, brother, friends and so many other resources and opportunities, Vasu has gained access to the confidence needed to face new challenges with grace, courage, strength, humor, and unwavering determination.

Vasu witnessed extreme poverty growing up in India, and has been living most of his life with a “dis”ability. He looks at these experiences as a blessing; they have allowed him to truly hone in on his ability to empathize with others. He continues to strengthen his vigor through his work in advocacy for those who are historically marginalized. Vasu will continue to embolden others to be a positive influence in their own communities by pushing personal limits, putting others first, and encouraging people to believe in themselves and in their own unique abilities!

With the motto of “ ninjasticking through the wood to bring intersectionality to the outdoors” Vasu continues to challenge the biases that go with being a Disable person of color with a through his intersectional work which include being the first adaptive athlete for The North Face, a founding member for The Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E Initiative, the co-founder of Inclusive Outdoors Project, and a Disability Access strategist for The Avarna Group, In Solidarity Project and independently.

Resources:
Vasu’s website
Vasu’s Facebook page
Vasu’s Instagram page
Welcome to the team: Vasu Sojitra – Faction Skis US

Vasu’s book recommendations:
So You Want to Talk About Race?  (Oluo)
Care Work (Piepzna-Samarasinha)

Recent Podcasts

EPISODE #100 - JOHN MCPHEE

on writing, teaching, exploring

John McPhee was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and was educated at Princeton University and Cambridge University. After seven years at Time magazine, he moved to The New Yorker, where he has been a staff writer since 1965. A Fellow of the Geological Society of America and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, he was awarded in 1999 the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction (Annals of the Former World).