Megan Hanson with one of her creations.
Photo by Sarah Drinkwine.
Engaging in art can help with major challenges such as when recovering from an injury. It can boost confidence and help the creator feel more engaged and resilient and can alleviate anxiety, depression and stress.
That is how it is for Gardnerville resident Megan Hanson who suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was 11 leaving her with ongoing medical problems, including insomnia and depression.
Hanson said she was playing flag football and collided with another player causing a three-and-a-half-inch fracture on her skull and epidural hematoma. For at least 24 years since, she’s experienced migraines, chronic depression, insomnia, some organ failures and other medical issues. She also experiences barometric pressure, and sometimes certain vibrations and noises can bother her.
Hanson’s father Dave Stewart, said it’s been years of just trying to relieve her of her pain.
“We’ve tried hundreds of different medications and several different facilities,” said Stewart.
Stewart said a hospital in Minnesota has been the most successful, but travel and medical expenses add up and it hasn’t been easy.
A golf tournament has been set up to benefit Hanson and help raise funds for her continued recovery and relief.
“We’re hoping to just get enough people to come,” said Stewart.
Stewart said in order to make the event successful, golfers (teams or singles), volunteers and raffle prizes and donations are needed.
The first annual Help4Megan Golf Tournament is set for 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Carson Valley Golf Course.
Cost per golfer is $80 including cart and lunch.
Stewart said other valley golf courses and some Carson City courses are accepting recruits and donations to benefit Hanson, including Genoa Lakes Golf Course, Sunridge Golf and Recreations, Eagle Valley Golf Course and Empire Ranch Golf Course.
For more information or to make a donation visit www.help4Megan.com or call Dave Stewart at 775-230-0337.
Hanson creates resin pieces to help her cope and wants to share her art work with others.
Hanson creates epoxy resin pieces or “resin art,” which is created by mixing two-components, a liquid resin and a hardener into different modes for various designs. She makes anything from small figurines and flower-pressed coasters to windchimes, jewelry holders and more.
“I’ve always been interested in art,” said Hanson. “I enjoy painting, making clothes, building things, but with my medical problems worsening I really can’t do much of those hobbies anymore.”
Hanson said she saw a video of how resin art is created, and she thought that was something she could do, despite her disability, and instantly began her new hobby and business “Hanson House Resin.”
“I just really enjoy making it,” said Hanson. “The money is nice, but that’s the part I enjoy is creating something and making someone happy.”
Hanson said her business is a family project and often has help from her husband and 8-year-old son.
She creates the art, because she enjoys it, it’s beneficial to her and helps her make a little extra income.
“I enjoy doing it, but it’s just acuminating and that’s when I decided to sell some,” said Hanson.
Prices for her work can cost anywhere from $5-$70 depending on the size of the piece and its design.
“I really try to be reasonable because I want people to enjoy them without breaking the bank,” she said.
Hanson said they make great gifts for any occasion and she even takes custom orders.
Some of her work will be on display and in the raffle at her Golf tournament “Help4Megan” at the Carson Valley Golf Course on Sept. 4.
For more information and to view or purchase her work visit on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/luvmynicky/or on Instagram at
hanson_house_resin.
