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As the country grapples with economic challenges due to the covid19 pandemic, a tattoo shop in Tacarigua is giving back to the society by aiding a non-governmental organisation and raise awareness of autism.
Tattoo artist Dell Thompson of Bud Ink, located at Cane Farm Junction, Trincity said NGO’s like the Autistic Society of TT, also faced a myriad of challenges to get by on a daily basis.
Thompson said his team found it necessary to extend a lending hand and gave discounts on all tattoos on Saturday. All the proceeds, he said, would be given to the Autistic Society of TT.
“We are donating our time and talent to raise funds and awareness autism. We have a half off special today (Saturday) and whatever money we collect will go to them.”
Thompson said their biggest clients were parents of autistic children or people who personally knew someone with autism.
“They were quite touched that we were doing something like this and a lot of them came out today to lend support to the cause.”
Parent Adana Caberra, 39, and daughter Kurvel Alexander, 19, visited Bud Ink and both tattooed Cabrerra’s deceased brother’s name on their arms, as reminder of the good person that he was.
Caberra said they were in full support of Bud Ink’s initiative as her nephew seven-year-old Micaiah Cabrerra was autistic.
She said that at the tattoo shop it was not just a matter of getting a tattoo but also learning about what autism was and what contributions an individual can make to help others.
“I did not realise something was wrong with my nephew until he was about one-year-old. Many people fall in this same category because they do not want to believe something could be wrong. I would like to urge parents to get their children tested.”
Caberra added that while there was much more awareness now than in previous years, there was still much more that needed to be done.
“People are still afraid to confront this as an issue and choose to make fun of people with disabilities. That should not be the case and we should all be tolerate of each other.”
World Autism Day is recognised every year on April 2 by member states of the United Nations. The month of April is further observed as Autism Awareness month where events and educational activities take place with aim to increase understanding and promote acceptance. Light blue is the colour usually associated with autism and its related activities.
The UN’s Secretary General António Guterres said in his World Autism Day speech said while the covid19 pandemic created new obstacles and challenges, there must be efforts to reignite a global economy that offered e diversity, inclusion and equity.
“For persons with autism, access to decent work on an equal basis requires creating an enabling environment, along with reasonable accommodation.”
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