Patricia Hansen | Stanbridge University

Patricia, a tireless advocate for community engagement and social change, is dedicated to breaking down the negative stigma of disability.

Before attending Stanbridge University, Patricia served for four years in the U.S. Navy, working on navigation systems for military jets. During this time, Patricia Hansen managed to not only expertly accomplish these duties, but also serve as an advocate for victims of sexual abuse and build a house for an impoverished family in the Philippines. It was her time as an instructional aid for children with autism spectrum disorder that inspired her to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy.

While attending the Stanbridge OTA degree program, Patricia received a California Campus Compact Fellowship, which allowed her the opportunity to volunteer with High Hopes Head Injury Program, working with individuals who have survived various types of head injuries. She described how survivors of head injury are perceived as being unable to learn or devoid of personality. Through her experiences in the program, she discovered how untrue that view is. “In fact, they are learning new things every day,” she stated, “and they have the funniest personalities that I have ever encountered.”

Throughout her education and fieldwork, Patricia sought to expand her understanding of, as well as push the boundaries of what others perceive about disability, providing visibility and breaking down the negative stigma surrounding head trauma. She is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities and has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for engaging those around her toward this cause. “It is my personal mission to improve my community’s outlook on individuals
with disabilities,” she said, “and raise awareness about the barriers these individuals face as a result of the stigma that surrounds them.”