In this episode of the Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast, Chad Williams and I catch up on everything that has been happening in his world, and there has been a lot.

Chad shares how the second annual Doing Hard Things My Way event continued to grow, including an 89 percent increase in donations, expanded support, a corporate sponsor, and an in-person 5K in Portland with Cerebral Palsy Strong.

What started as an idea a couple of years ago has continued to grow into something that is creating a real impact within the cerebral palsy community.

That leads us into a bigger conversation about taking chances.

Neither of us believes you have to wait until you feel completely confident before trying something. The uncertainty, anxiety, and “what ifs” do not necessarily disappear as something becomes more successful. Sometimes you simply become more comfortable moving forward while those feelings are still there.

We also talk about Chad’s upcoming races, the knee pain he has been navigating for months, and why continuing to advocate for yourself can matter when the first explanation or treatment does not seem to be working.

For both of us, living with cerebral palsy means constantly learning our own bodies, adapting, experimenting, and figuring out what allows us to stay active without feeling like we are constantly fighting ourselves.

Sometimes the answer is simply to try it and see.

Connect with us on Instagram:

Chad Williams:

instagram.com/chadwillia1

Daryl Perry:

instagram.com/daryltperry

We’re back with a quick update on where things stand with The Cerebral Palsy Perspective.

Season two has already brought some great conversations, new guests, and a growing list of people who want to be part of the podcast. At the same time, both of us have a lot happening outside of the show, so the release schedule may look a little different over the next few weeks and months.

That does not mean the conversations are slowing down.

We are still recording, still connecting with guests, and still building what this podcast can become. The biggest difference is that we are allowing the schedule to be a little more flexible instead of feeling like a new episode absolutely has to come out every Monday.

In this episode, we talk about how the podcast has evolved from something very regimented into something that now has its own rhythm, structure, and momentum.

We also want to hear from you.

If you have cerebral palsy, work within the cerebral palsy community, have a story or perspective you want to share, or think you would be a good fit for a future conversation, this is a great time to reach out.

Connect with Chad on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/

Connect with Daryl on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry/

New episodes are coming. The consistency may just look a little different as we continue growing the show and making room for everything ahead.

What happens when you decide that cerebral palsy doesn't get to determine what you're still capable of trying?

In this episode, Chad Williams and Daryl Perry are joined by Janet Torres, cerebral palsy advocate, certified personal trainer, adaptive fitness specialist, bodybuilder, aspiring para track and field athlete, and founder of Diverse Abilities Fitness.

Janet shares how her relationship with movement changed after moving to Columbus, Ohio, and becoming more physically active in her twenties. Eventually, that journey led to running her first 5K and experiencing a feeling of freedom through running that completely changed the direction of her life.

We talk about Janet's path into the fitness industry, the gaps she saw in traditional fitness for people with disabilities, and why she eventually stepped out on her own to build Diverse Abilities Fitness.

We also dig into something many adults with cerebral palsy think about as we get older. What happens when our bodies begin to change?

Janet shares her experience being told she would need braces as she aged, how she initially accepted that this was simply what was going to happen, and why she eventually decided to see what her body was still capable of doing.

Today, she's running again and beginning her journey into para track and field.

Throughout the conversation, we explore adaptive fitness, aging with cerebral palsy, accessibility, faith, entrepreneurship, community, and why being active doesn't have to look the same throughout every stage of life.

Janet also shares an important reminder for anyone waiting until they feel completely ready to start.

You're probably never going to feel 100 percent ready.

Sometimes you have to take a small step, see what happens, adjust, find support, and keep moving forward.

Or, as Janet puts it, do it anyway.

Connect with Janet

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilityfit/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583238440975

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/d.a.f.torres/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@diverseabilityfitness4922

Follow Chad and Daryl on Instagram

Chad Williams

https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/

Daryl Perry

https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry/

In this episode of The Cerebral Palsy Perspective, Chad Williams and co-host Daryl Perry are joined by cerebral palsy advocate, author, motivational speaker, and support group founder Shaniah Gunter.

Shaniah shares her experience growing up with cerebral palsy, which affects both of her legs, wearing AFO braces, having a learning disability, and navigating an IEP throughout school. She also opens up about experiencing bullying, struggling with low self-esteem, comparing herself to other people, and eventually learning to become more confident in who she is.

A major part of Shaniah's story is refusing to allow other people's expectations to determine what's possible for her. Despite people questioning whether she would graduate with a regular diploma, she did. Today, at 24, she's using those experiences to encourage other people through motivational speaking, advocacy, life coaching, her support group, and her work as an author.

Shaniah also discusses the importance of parents advocating for children with disabilities. She shares how much her mother's involvement and encouragement meant throughout her childhood and encourages parents to participate in IEP meetings, understand their child's needs, and continue advocating for the support that can help them succeed.

Faith is also central to Shaniah's life and message. She explains how her relationship with God helped her stop being afraid of who she was, develop confidence, find purpose in her experiences, and begin sharing her story with other people.

Throughout the conversation, we talk about disability, education, employment, family support, self-confidence, faith, advocacy, and the importance of moving through life at your own pace.

Shaniah's message is simple.

Don't give up because you're different. Don't look down on yourself because your life doesn't look like somebody else's. Keep going at your own pace and continue becoming who you're meant to be.

Connect With Shaniah Gunter

Find Shaniah Gunter's Books on Amazon:

https://us.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_4?ie=UTF8&field-author=Shaniah+Gunter&text=Shaniah+Gunter&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books

Follow Shaniah on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mybabygunter/

Connect With Shaniah on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/shaniah.gunter

Connect With the Hosts

Follow Chad Williams on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/

Follow Daryl Perry on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry/

Sometimes the biggest impact begins with one simple decision.

In this episode, Chad Williams and I are joined by Vito, founder of Strides for Gianluca, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness for cerebral palsy while supporting individuals, families, research, and community initiatives through running events and fundraising.

Vito shares how his son's cerebral palsy inspired him to combine his love of running with a mission to give back. From local 5Ks to the New York City Marathon, charity hockey games, and community partnerships, Strides for Gianluca continues to grow while bringing people together around a shared purpose.

We also reflect on meeting at the Spring Lake Five Mile Run, discuss why community matters so much in the cerebral palsy world, and talk about how one person's passion can create opportunities for countless others.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The story behind Strides for Gianluca

• Raising awareness for cerebral palsy through running

• Supporting families, research, and community initiatives

• The Spring Lake Five Mile experience and why it has become such a meaningful event

• Organizing races, charity events, and fundraising throughout the year

• The upcoming Cerebral Palsy Awareness 5K and virtual race

• How community partnerships help expand awareness

• Why every conversation about cerebral palsy helps make a difference

Whether you're part of the cerebral palsy community, a runner looking for a meaningful cause, or someone who believes in using your passions to make a positive impact, I think you'll enjoy hearing Vito's story and learning about the incredible work Strides for Gianluca is doing.

Learn More About Strides for Gianluca

Website

https://strides4gianluca.com/

Follow Strides for Gianluca

https://strides4gianluca.com/follow-us-on-social-media/

Charity Hockey Game

https://strides4gianluca.com/charitygame/

Cerebral Palsy Awareness 5K & Virtual Race Registration

https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Hamilton/CerebralPalsyAwareness5K

The Doing Hard Things My Way 5K is back for its second year, and we're excited to share what makes this event so special.

In this episode of the Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast, Chad and Daryl discuss the inspiration behind the annual Doing Hard Things My Way 5K, how it grew from a personal running journey into a community-focused event, and why inclusion remains at the center of everything it represents.

What started as an idea to give back through the running community has evolved into an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together, get active, and support one another. Whether you run, walk, jog, roll, or participate in your own way, this event is designed to meet you where you are.

Chad shares how the race came to life, the impact of last year's event, and the partnership with Cerebral Palsy Strong. Daryl discusses how the event aligns with the Your Level Fitness philosophy of creating accessible opportunities for movement and community.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The origin of the Doing Hard Things My Way 5K

• How running became a life-changing part of Chad's journey

• Why inclusive fitness opportunities matter

• The benefits of a virtual race format

• How participants can complete the event from anywhere

• Building community through movement and shared experiences

• The role of social media in connecting participants

• Race week details, team participation, and event goals

The 2026 Doing Hard Things My Way 5K takes place from August 30 through September 5, giving participants an entire week to complete their 5K in whatever way works best for them.

Ready to join us?

Sign up here:

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-1?raceId=187209

Whether you're participating individually, joining a team, or creating your own, we'd love to have you be part of this year's event.

Use #DoingHardThingsMyWay and #CerebralPalsyStrong during race week to share your experience and connect with the community.

Thank you for listening, and we'll talk to you again next week.

In this special episode of The Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast, Chad Williams and Daryl Perry welcome Luke, the first recipient of the Doing Hard Things My Way Adaptive Athlete Scholarship.

After reviewing hundreds of applications, Luke's story stood out because of his determination, leadership, athletic accomplishments, and commitment to helping others. A recent high school graduate from Alabama, Luke has spent the last four years competing in football and track while developing a passion for adaptive athletics and disability advocacy.

During this conversation, Luke shares how he unexpectedly found his love for sports, what athletics taught him about teamwork and leadership, and how discovering adaptive sports opened new possibilities for his future. He also discusses his decision to pursue a career in physical therapy and his goal of helping other individuals with disabilities discover opportunities in adaptive athletics.

The conversation highlights the power of community, the importance of creating opportunities for others, and what it means to truly do hard things your own way.

In This Episode

• Meet Luke, the first Doing Hard Things My Way scholarship recipient

• How a friend's encouragement led him into athletics

• Lessons learned through football and track and field

• Why teamwork matters beyond sports

• Discovering adaptive athletics and new opportunities

• Attending the University of Alabama's adaptive athletics program

• Pursuing a future career in physical therapy

• Advocating for people with disabilities in sports

• The impact of mentorship, support, and community

• What it means to build a future centered around helping others

About The Scholarship

The Doing Hard Things My Way Adaptive Athlete Scholarship was created to recognize adaptive athletes who demonstrate perseverance, determination, leadership, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Luke's story embodies those values and serves as an inspiration for athletes and advocates alike.

Connect With Luke:

https://www.instagram.com/luke__ramos_

Connect With Chad

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/

Connect With Daryl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who could benefit from hearing Luke's story. Conversations like these help create awareness, build community, and remind us of what's possible when we choose to keep moving forward.

What does it mean to adapt, advocate, and build a life on your own terms while living with cerebral palsy?

In this episode of The Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast, Chad Williams and Daryl Perry sit down with Gillian Jasper, a writer, advocate, public speaker, and storyteller who shares her experiences navigating life with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other challenges.

Gillian discusses growing up with disabilities, learning to accept and adapt to the realities of cerebral palsy, the impact of seizures and mobility challenges, and how writing became an important outlet for sharing her story with the world. She also shares her passion for disability advocacy, creating awareness, and helping others better understand what it means to live with a disability.

Throughout the conversation, Gillian opens up about overcoming self-doubt, finding confidence in her own voice, and why she refuses to let a diagnosis define who she is or what she can accomplish.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up with cerebral palsy and epilepsy

• Being born premature and overcoming long odds

• Physical therapy and adapting to daily challenges

• Disability advocacy and awareness

• Writing as a form of self-expression

• Living with seizures and mobility limitations

• Social media and finding community

• Public speaking and storytelling

• The importance of self-acceptance

• Why disability does not define a person

Guest Links:

Gillian Jasper Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gillianjasper_

Cerebral Palsy Through My Lens:

https://www.jewishnewhaven.org/press-releases/cerebral-palsy-through-my-lens-the-hand-i-have-been-dealt

Host Links:

Chad Williams:

https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1

Daryl Perry:

https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry

Thank you for listening to The Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast. If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone who could benefit from hearing Gillian's story and perspective.