The Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast

Fuel or Weight, How Your Past Shapes Your Present With Cerebral Palsy

In this episode of the Cerebral Palsy Perspective, host Chad Williams and co-host Daryl Perry dive into a deeply personal and relatable conversation about childhood experiences, identity, and how the past continues to shape the present. Growing up with cerebral palsy often comes with moments that leave a lasting impact, bullying, feeling different, being misunderstood, and in some cases, being let down by both peers and adults. These experiences don’t just disappear. They stay with you, sometimes as motivation, sometimes as weight. So how do you find the balance? Chad and Daryl explore what it looks like to use those painful experiences as fuel without letting them define your identity or hold you back. From the desire to prove others wrong to learning how to build a life based on purpose instead of pain, this episode highlights the ongoing mental and emotional process behind growth. You’ll hear honest reflections on: Growing up with cerebral palsy and navigating bullying and isolation The mental tug of war between motivation and emotional weight The danger of living in a “prove them wrong” mindset How to stop “fighting ghosts” and start building your own path Turning past pain into something meaningful and positive Why healing is not linear and those thoughts may still come back This conversation goes beyond cerebral palsy. It speaks to anyone who has experienced hardship, self-doubt, or moments that shaped how they see themselves. If you’ve ever struggled with letting go of the past while still learning from it, this episode is for you. Connect with Us: Follow Chad Williams: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/ Follow Daryl Perry: https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry/

Strength with Cerebral Palsy, It’s Not What You Think

Welcome back to The Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast, hosted by Chad Williams with co-host Daryl Perry. In this episode, we explore a powerful and often misunderstood topic, strength. When most people think about strength, they think about physical performance, lifting heavier weights, running faster, or pushing harder. But living with cerebral palsy challenges that definition in meaningful ways. Chad and Daryl break down the different layers of strength, including the ones that aren’t always visible. From adapting to physical limitations, to staying consistent through setbacks, to navigating the mental and emotional challenges that come with CP, this conversation highlights how strength can look different for everyone. You’ll hear personal stories around: * Adjusting expectations after injuries and setbacks * Redefining success in running and fitness * The importance of patience, adaptability, and resilience * Finding your own way to participate and stay active * Letting go of comparison and focusing on presence and gratitude This episode also touches on something deeper, the idea that sometimes strength is simply making it through the day and believing that tomorrow can be better. Whether you live with cerebral palsy, support someone who does, or are navigating your own challenges, this conversation is a reminder that strength isn’t always loud or visible. Sometimes, it’s quiet, consistent, and deeply personal. Follow Chad and Daryl for more conversations and perspectives: Chad Williams https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1 [https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1] Daryl Perry https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry [https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry]

Jason Harvey’s Journey: From Cerebral Palsy To College Baseball

In this episode of the Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast, Chad Williams and Daryl Perry are joined by Jason Harvey for a powerful roundtable discussion. Jason shares his story of growing up with cerebral palsy affecting his left side and how he built an incredible athletic journey competing in baseball throughout high school and college, all while playing one-handed. We talk through his early diagnosis, the challenges he faced being held back in youth sports, and the resilience it took to continue pursuing what he loved despite setbacks, criticism, and doubt. Jason opens up about moments of bullying, perseverance, and the impact of finding the right support system along the way. The conversation also dives into life after sports, adapting to physical changes over time, staying active through golf and physical therapy, and navigating what it means to age with cerebral palsy. Jason also shares his passion for coaching, teaching, and his vision for creating more opportunities for adaptive athletes in the future. This is a conversation about perseverance, identity, and the reality of building your own path when it doesn’t look like everyone else’s. For Tickets and More Info on Josh Blue: https://www.joshblue.com Follow Chad Williams: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/ Follow Daryl Perry: https://instagram.com/daryltperry

Becoming Comfortable In Your Own Skin With Cerebral Palsy

In this episode of the Cerebral Palsy Perspective, Chad Williams and co-host Daryl Perry welcome back Zachary Fennell for another powerful conversation. This time, the focus shifts to what it really means to become comfortable in your own skin. Zach shares his perspective on embracing differences, asking for help, and letting go of comparison. The conversation dives into real-life experiences, from navigating social situations to learning how to advocate for yourself and surround yourself with the right people. You’ll also hear practical insights on building confidence, developing self-awareness, and why perfection isn’t the goal, growth is. Whether you’re living with cerebral palsy or navigating your own challenges, this episode is a reminder that confidence is built through action, reflection, and self-acceptance. What We Cover: * What it means to be comfortable in your own skin * Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness * How comparison takes away from your progress * Real-life examples of growth and self-advocacy * Building confidence through daily actions and reflection * Letting go of perfection and focusing on progress Zach's Links: Zachary Fennell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharyfenell [https://www.instagram.com/zacharyfenell] Off Balance Memoir: https://www.zacharyfenell.com/off-balanced/ [https://www.zacharyfenell.com/off-balanced/] Chad Williams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1 [https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1] Daryl Perry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry [https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry]

Finding Your Way Into Fitness With Cerebral Palsy

Finding your way into fitness with cerebral palsy or any disability is not always straightforward. In this episode, Chad Williams and Daryl Perry share their personal experiences navigating gyms, running, group environments, and the mental challenges that come with starting something new. We talk about intimidation, comparison, confidence, and why movement does not have to look a certain way to count. From walking into the gym for the first time to crossing the finish line of a race, this conversation is about finding what works for you and building the confidence to keep going. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong in fitness spaces, this episode is for you. Follow us on Instagram: Chad Williams: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/ [https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/] Daryl Perry: https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry [https://www.instagram.com/daryltperry]