Terry Peech, 29, is one of The Squamish Chief's star paper carriers.
He came to work for the paper through the Sea to Sky Community Services' (SSCS) employment program.
The Chief sat down with Peech at our Second Avenue office on Monday for a chat about his time in Squamish, his likes and dislikes, what he is excited about and what it is like to have autism.
Peech was accompanied by his SSCS life skills and community access worker Meryl Suarez who helped clarify some of the answers.
What follows is an edited version of that conversation.
Q: How long have you been in Squamish?
A: I came here in 1994. I am originally from Manitoba. I went to elementary school here and to Howe Sound Secondary.
Q: I understand you are one of our best newspaper carriers. You started in 2018, delivering with a helper and now you deliver papers downtown independently. What do you like about it?
A: I like doing the job. It is fun. I also like earning money so I can save up.
Q: What are some of the challenging parts of the job? What about when it is rainy, like today?
A: When I can't get into the apartment buildings, that is hard. If it is raining like today, I wear a jacket and rain boots.
Q: You are wearing a mask now while talking to me. What do you think of COVID and having to wear a mask?
A: I wear a mask and sometimes gloves. And when I go into stores I sanitize my hands. You have to be careful.
Q: What are you looking forward to?
A: Saving money for Christmas presents and going to movies.
Q: What are your favourite movies?
A: The Mulan remake, the Tron sequels. I like Marvel and DC movies. I like Christmas movies. I like Jim Carrey’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Live action is better than the cartoon version.
Q: You are turning 30 this month, are you looking forward to that?
A: Yes. My mom will hide a gift. I can't look for it, or I will spoil it.
Q: Can you talk about autism? What do you think people don't know about it?
A: I am good at organizing things. I volunteered at the library and the Hotspot Community Resource Centre and I liked organizing the books and putting things in order. I put the videos in order at Pearl's Value & Vintage when I go there to shop sometimes.
I like to take out the recycling, but not the garbage. It is good for the environment to recycle.
I pace if I am anxious.
I can deliver the paper independently. I am very dedicated to my job and any volunteer work.
I am a fast learner.
Q: How does it feel for you to have autism? What else do you like or not like?
A: I feel good about it. I don't like loud noises — like loud children. That is disturbing.
I like TV shows, movies and writing about that and about the news. I like art. I paint. I like U.S. and Canadian history — they have different governments.
My favourite animal is the polar bear.
Q: If people see you out delivering papers can they give you a wave?
A: Yes! Not a hug, though. I don't like hugs.
