MAKING A DIFFERENCE: MEET NATE

Taking on the environment

Nate is a young man who lives in Carmel, IN. He has worked for Telamon, a global telecommunications support company, for five years. He enjoys working out, going swimming, and going out to eat healthy meals. “I also enjoy watching science programs and humorous shows. I like researching science, technology, and history, and I like to make new friends,” Nate shared.

“I have autism and often have a lot of anxiety about social interactions,” he added. “I can be very inflexible, and I often get stuck on my opinions. Sometimes I get very mad in the moment and have trouble moving on. I also have trouble with social cues and accepting my flaws and those of others. I have a difficult time understanding humans and why they hurt each other and why they don’t take care of the environment.”

Nate prays a lot and works on acceptance. Working out and eating a healthy diet helps him have a sense of control over his environment. Being helpful to others also gives him a sense of purpose. “I’ve tried to overcome my autism by being more aware of my behavior and trying to choose wisely,” he said.

Nate enjoys researching by talking with other people and using the internet. His biggest passion is taking care of the planet. “I like picking up garbage in the community. I often volunteer to clean up areas and encourage people I work with to recycle and pick up trash,” he said. Nate wants to help keep the environment clean for future generations.

“I saw the movie Avatar, and it affected me so much. I wanted [to do more] to improve our environment and respect other cultures and nature. I then researched and found out I could join a group to help make a difference. The Great Indy Cleanup has helped me meet this personal need and given me a place to belong. I’ve learned that there are others out there who love their environment and want to make a difference. I’ve also learned that things are not always as bleak as reported in the media, as some people are truly trying to make this a better planet.”

Great Indy Cleanup does not actually have a contract with Carmel, so that inspired Nate to go out and clean up his own neighborhood and communities around it. He went out and purchased his own equipment, such as an extended grabber, and asked his employer to give him a safety vest to use. As he continues to pick up trash in his neighborhood, he also educates others about recycling. He has found that his passion to help the environment has helped him feel more in control of his own life.

I wanted [to do more] to improve our environment and respect other cultures and nature