Celebrating Roman Dylan Paul O’Hearn and His Appreciation for Direct Support Professionals
We are excited to announce Roman Dylan Paul O’Hearn as the winner of Sunrise Community’s 2026 DSP Artwork Contest!
Roman’s original artwork was selected to be featured on this year’s DSP Recognition Week T-shirt, celebrating the dedication and meaningful impact of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
For Roman, the artwork represents more than a creative expression. It reflects the appreciation he has for the DSPs who support him each day.
Meet Roman
Roman describes himself as kind, funny, and intelligent. He is also a football fan whose favorite team is the Gators. When creating his artwork, Roman wanted to recognize the DSPs who show him every day that they care.
In his own words:
“My name is Roman. My favorite sport is football, and my favorite team is Gators.
I’m kind, funny, and intelligent. I chose this picture because my DSPs show me that they care. It is an honor for my original creation to be selected for this year’s shirt.”
Roman’s artwork is a meaningful reflection of the relationships built between persons supported and the DSPs who walk alongside them each day.
Celebrating Our DSPs
At Sunrise Community, we know that DSPs play an important role in Creating Valued Lives for people with disabilities. Through their dedication, encouragement, compassion, and everyday support, DSPs help persons supported pursue their goals, build meaningful relationships, participate in their communities, and experience greater independence.
Roman’s artwork gives us another beautiful reminder of the difference DSPs make. His message captures something that can sometimes be difficult to put into words: the people providing support are also creating connections, trust, encouragement, and meaningful moments every day.
As Roman shares:
“Thank you to our DSPs for the dedication, encouragement, and meaningful support you provide every day.”
We could not agree more.
This DSP Recognition Week, Sunrise Community is proud to celebrate Roman, his creativity, and his thoughtful appreciation for the DSPs who support him. We are equally proud to celebrate every DSP across our organization whose dedication helps make a difference in the lives of the persons supported we have the privilege of serving.
Congratulations, Roman, on being selected as our 2026 winning artist! And to all of our DSPs, thank you for everything you do each and every day. Your work matters, your relationships matter, and the lives you touch matter!
