The First Adaptive Descent of Denali: Leadership Beyond Barriers

751 West Grant Street,Bozeman MT 59715

26 September, 2022

Description

Bozeman - Free tickets are available for The First Adaptive Descent of Denali: Leadership Beyond Barriers taking place on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Montana State University Strand Union Building Ballrooms. Two accomplished amputee skiers, Vasu Sojitra and Pete McAfee, will speak about their historic descent of Alaska’s Denali (20,310’). Sojitra lost his right leg at 9 months. Now 30, he recently completed what is believed to be the first disabled ski descent of Denali, at 20,310 feet. He hopes to encourage others to follow. With the motto of “ninjasticking through the woods to bring intersectionality to the outdoors,” Sojitra challenges the biases that go with being a disabled person of color. He does this 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. McAfee, who lost his leg below the knee in childhood, and an avid ski mountaineer and volunteer adaptive ski instructor, raises funds and awareness for outdoor adaptive inclusion and for amputees without access to adaptive devices. McAfee joined Sojitra on the Denali descent. Included will be a Q & A focused on leadership, barriers, access, and inclusion. Attendees are invited to join a post-presentation reception that includes the speakers, panelists and sponsors. Presented by the MSU Leadership Institute, sponsors include the Office of the Provost, Associated Students of Montana State University, Office of Student Engagement, Murdoch's Home & Ranch Supply, First Interstate Bank, Office of Disability Services, College of Education, Health & Human Development, Diversity & Inclusion Student Commons, Eagle Mount, Outdoor Recreation, Program, Uphill Pursuits, Treasure State Orthotics and Prosthetics, and Ski Mountaineering Club. Contact the MSU Leadership Institute at [email protected], and (406) 994-7275 for accommodations or questions.