Meet DeAnn Hansen | NTC Executive Director I Special Needs Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with DeAnn Hansen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DeAnn, what do you attribute your success to?
Being an advocate for our son with Down Syndrome has taught me to think outside of the box and keep going no matter what. Because he is nonverbal I know I have to be his voice and the voice of those that attend our program who cannot speak for themselves.

Early on I learned that those with special needs and their caregivers are always in the public’s eye because we stand out. So why not show people that they just want to be accepted and loved like the rest of us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am fueled to advocate for those with special needs because our oldest child and grandchild both have Down Syndrome. In 2011 our son, Colby was approaching 22 and close to ‘aging out of the school system’. The fear of him sitting on the couch each day set me in motion to find a quality program that would give him the life he deserved. No such programs existed in our area, so we transplanted our family from the mountains of southern Utah in 2012 for him to attend a great program in Plano. So, I know firsthand how important it is to have a place for your differently-abled loved one to go during the day and to make the sacrifices to get them there. I worked at the program our son still attends for a couple of years as well as volunteering for several non-profits.

I sold real estate for 12 years and was in telecommunications management prior to that.

I had our son right out of high school and never had the chance to go to college. I am a nontraditional student who graduated with my BA in Psychology with a minor in communication in 2021. I knew that for the second half of my life I wanted to do something with a lot of purpose as well as work with those who have special needs. I applied for my master’s in Art Therapy but did not get accepted to the only online program in the states. I moved forward with my plan in starting a business to sell art for those that are disabled. I knew that art was a place where all are considered equal. It is a venue to tell a story and happens to entertain those with discretionary income to help support those in need.

The opportunity to join The New Transitions Center in February 2022 as their first Executive Director just fell into place. I am able to put my vision of ‘pARTnership’ and am honored to have the role that can shape the outcome for families who have a loved one with special needs.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We always take our family/friends to the stockyards in Fort Worth. It is an iconic place that reflects a time in American History when cattle were the currency of prosperity. Being able to take in the part of Texas that is cowboy culture at it’s best is a great place to visit.

I love that Dallas is a merger of western and city life. I always take people to the Dallas Arts Museum.

I would also take them to Hamilton’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge in the Lorenzo Hotel. I am creative by nature and this place to visit and watch the show of eccentric folks who like to show off.

BBQ is a must and Pecan Lodge in Dallas or Hutchins in my town of McKinney are great places to show others why Texas is known for its BBQ.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thank you Gina Johnson for teaching me that having a family member with Down Syndrome is something to celebrate! https://sharingds.org/about-us/

In a world of continued projection of perfectionism, it is wonderful to celebrate that we are all here to be just us.

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