one-legged backcountry skier Vasu Sojitra
This is Vasu Sorjitra, some say he has a "dis" ability but if you watch the clip below you will soon learn that this couldn't be further from the truth and besides Vasu prefers the term "adaptaive".
When Vasu was only nine months old, he was diagnosed with septicaemia, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Since then, Vasu has not looked back; with the help of his parents, brother, and friends, Vasu has built up the confidence needed to face new challenges with grace, courage, strength, humour, and unwavering determination.
Why does he do this? As Vasu puts it “The goal is to spread the word,” says Sojitra. “To send a message not only to adaptive athletes, but also to people who are doubting themselves or think they are unable to do something. This season he's skied 20 days in the backcountry at locations such as Tuckerman’s Ravine and the Chic-Chocs and spent another 71 days skiing resorts. Impressive numbers.
It has required a lot of time and experimention with a number of different inventions to make skinning on one leg possible. Vasu first jerry-rigged skins to the bottom of each outrigger ski for stability while touring. This didn't work so well and a number of experiments later, he attached a pair of MSR snowshoe extenders to the bottom of each outrigger ski. This innovation worked well and provided Vasu with enough surface area to skin successfully.
Vasu says he will continue to inspire 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!
