Hilton resident Chad Williams is no stranger to doing hard things. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two and has gone through years of physical therapy, a surgical procedure in his youth, and daily perseverance just to manage routine tasks.
In 2022, he decided to challenge himself through running. He started with a 5K that included obstacles along the course and found himself just as capable as other runners. Spurred on by a supportive community, he ran a race every month that year, eventually taking on the Boilermaker 15K in Utica.
“I started running races to prove what I was capable of, but along the way, I saw that my journey served as hope and inspiration for others who were working through their own hard things,” Williams said.
To demonstrate that physical limitations need not define one’s potential, Williams founded the Doing Hard Things My Way brand and organized a virtual 5K under the brand last summer to benefit the nonprofit Cerebral Palsy Strong.
Continuing his efforts to empower others, Williams recently created and fully funded the Doing Hard Things My Way Adaptive Athlete Scholarship, a $500 award for an adaptive or disabled athlete heading to college. The scholarship is now open and accepting applications. Any high school senior who is a student-athlete with a physical disability may apply.
“Through this award, I hope to create opportunity, visibility, and encouragement for students who embody the spirit of doing hard things their own way,” Williams said. “My goal is not only to provide financial support, but to remind applicants that their journey, identity, and perseverance matter and that their future is worth investing in.”
For more information or to apply, visit https://bold.org/scholarships/doing-hard-things-my-way-adaptive-athlete-scholarship/.
