Mixed By Tyron Bishop (Me)

This is what we call differently abled!!!

A Step In The Right Direction

I had the pleasure of attending the first Miss Trinidad and Tobago Differently-Abled Queen Show last Sunday. When I found out about this queen show a few months ago, my first thought was "FINALLY" because I think that differently-abled people need to show abled bodied people that we can do what they do, just differently.

On the left of me is my good friend and the organiser of the show, Beverly Jackson and on the right of me is Beverly Jackson's daughter, Annaly Maule who is another organiser. Annaly is a good friend of mine as well.

A Typical Day In My Life

I am sure that you have wondered "what does Tyron Bishop do on a daily basis." Well, my day begins with me sliding off my bed onto a mattress where I get on my Nokia C3(yes I use a qwerty keyboard). I then check my Facebook messages and update my Equal Treatment For Differently Abled People fan page's status then I move across to my mother's room where I listen to radio talk shows throughout the day while I surf the web and chat with my Facebook friends until I am ready to log off and start looking at television. I write and save my status update for the next day on my phone. I return to my room. I continue looking at television. I check my Facebook messages from time to time until I am ready to go to bed.

The End Of An Exceedingly Long Story

In one of my previous posts I told you what happened last September when I applied for Republic Online (online banking). Yesterday, after months of waiting for something which usually takes days... I got an e-mail from Republic Bank notifying me that my Republic Online has been activated and for this, I am thankful but I cannot help wondering how long it would have taken if I were not a persistent person.

My 2011 Year In Review

My year started off a little stressful because in early January my big mouse stopped working. Therefore, I was forced to use a touch screen cellular phone as my mouse, which was very difficult but I did it for about three (3) weeks, then I got my new mouse. On the 7th of February, I decided to change the title from Equal Treatment For Disabled People to Equal Treatment For Differently Abled People. On the 10th of February, I mistakenly deleted my Equal Treatment For Disabled People Facebook fan page but I took it as an opportunity to start over with the new name. Five (5) minutes later my Equal Treatment For Differently Abled People fan page was created. On the 16th of June, one of my friends who is a disc jockey on an online radio station in England dedicated the first of two of his shows to promoting my fan page. On the 19th June, I started giving my fans a daily update on our athletes who took part in the Special Olympics and I did this throughout the Olympics, which closed on the 4th of July. On the 12th of July, my fan page crossed 1,000 fans. On the 22nd of December, my fan page crossed 1,500 fans. Bookmark this page (tyronbishop.blogspot.com) and get yourself comfortable because if 2012 turns out to be better than 2011, you will be hearing a lot more from me in 2012.

Archaic Policy At Republic Bank

I signed up for Republic Online a little over two (2) months ago. Republic online is an online banking service which Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago offers their customers. This service is usually activated within five (5) days... After my mother made a few inquiries into why it is taking such a long time, the last excuse the personnel gave was that the bank usually equates thumb prints with illiteracy. Apparently, banking officials at Republic Bank have never heard of literate quadriplegics. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Tyron Bishop, I have Cerebral Palsy and I am also a quadriplegic. Therefore, I cannot hold a pen to write my name but I use special technology to access the computer. Republic Bank, we are in the year 2011 and it is time to update this archaic policy. Online banking would make my life a lot easier.

My 2011 - 2012 Budget Response

The Trinidad and Tobago's 2011 - 2012 National Budget was read today. I must say that this year's budget was a little better than last year's budget. The scholarship of $5000 for differently abled persons who want to further their education is great but I hope the Government knows that scholarships means educated differently abled persons who need jobs. Automatically qualifying for a food card is an okay idea but I hope the Government doesn't think that giving us food cards makes providing jobs any less important. For the sweet part of the budget. Grants will be paid to single mothers who are the sole caregivers of a special child and where the household income is inadequate to support the family, great. Families with a child who is differently abled will automatically receive food support via the TT Food Card, very nice. All persons with challenges will be able to access free transportation on the Public Transportation System. Specially designed buses for the differently abled will be made available, fantastic. I hope most of these things are implemented.