Allie Ladage
11-11-2011
COMM 337
Feature Article
Nuclear Policy Analyst II Discusses Radon, Her Job, and Freelance Writing
Written by Allie Ladage
Cindy Ladage, a native of Virden, is the outreach coordinator for the radon program at Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). She shares information regarding radon, a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer to the public. It is rated as the second most leading cause of lung cancer and is very deadly. Ladage also assists with the licensing of radon professionals. She aims to encourage the public to test their homes for radon. The purpose of Ladage’s job is to try and reduce the risk of radon induced lung cancer. It is also her mission to inform the public on how they can protect themselves from getting sick with kits and tips.
“I like taking the opportunity to help people to reduce the risk in lung cancer.” says Ladage. “If you have never tested your home for radon, then I recommend it. It’s very important, especially if you are a non-smoker. It can get into your homes, through your ventilation systems, and enhance the dangers of getting cancer.”
Ladage graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield in 1980 with a Bachelor’s Degree in biology and a minor in botany. She first started at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield to get the natural feeling of college. The next year she transferred to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. After meeting her future and current husband, Keith, Ladage enrolled at the University of Illinois Springfield and concluded her education there. In March 1980, she married Keith. And as soon as she was done with school, she landed a job at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and worked there until 1987. From there on, till 1991, she started a new career in the radon program at the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety (IDNS). The agency switched its title to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and presently remains. Ladage enjoys working with the public and feeling like she is making a difference. She also enjoys spending time with her family and freelance writing in her spare time since she is a part-time employee.
There are not very many risks at Ladage’s job. The only way she would have hazards would depend on where she worked at during an emergency response and how dangerous the atmosphere would be. Otherwise, she is basically in charge of licensing the professionals and informing the public on radon. She does travel around the country a lot to do presentations at conferences. Recently, she took a trip to Chicago to announce the importance of radon to individuals. Ladage has also visited different schools and university with co-workers.
Besides working for IEMA, Ladage is a part-time freelance writer on the side. She has gotten her name out there in the public relations and writing world. She broadened her talents and showed people what she can do and has written for numerous publications. Most of them are agricultural related magazines. The following publications she has subscribed to include Belt Pulley, Little Green, Farm World, Toy Farmer, Senior News, Illinois Times, Roots and Wings, and much more. As a big focus, she and friend, Jane Aumann, have teamed up in the past and together they put their ideas into writing children’s books. Several of them are called Tucker’s Surprise and The Christmas Tractor. Ladage also wrote a few fiction novels in her life. These novels are called Where Did Laurita Go?, Fairytales are Fragile, and Love Forward. In addition, she has contributed a few short stories for an anthology book called Porch Swing Tales.
Ladage has been freelance writing for fifteen years. She realized that she wanted to write for agriculture and different topics when she and her husband Keith visited tractor shows in other states and around Illinois. Keith is a farmer and has a deep passion and interest in antique tractors and displays. Obviously, Ladage figured that is she would be going to all of these shows, she would want to write about them. Subsequently, she started to subscribe her articles and stories for Belt Pulley. This was her first publication that she wrote for and she continued to expand her career as a freelance journalist.
Ladage has an interest in people and their lives. She believes that everyone has a story and she wanted to write about them. This is what she imagines when it comes to understanding a part about freelance journalism. On the fiction part, Ladage was always writing stories ever since she was a little girl. She really wanted people to read what she wrote and show off her talent. It is true that Ladage is very gifted and has a wide range of stories to fill in for her portfolio.
Ladage enjoys learning about different people and new things. The history of places and how interesting others can be is significant in her writing career. She really takes pleasure in being a part of something important. Traveling is also another thing that Ladage partakes in. She gets to see new sights and meet other people along the way.
There are other writers who inspire Ladage. Her favorite authors are John Gresham, Mary Higgins-Clark, and Stewart Wood. She loves reading their books and gaining a sense of adventure by diving into their whimsical stories. Reading is a great way for Ladage to escape reality and relax when she is not busy.
Ladage believes that if anyone has a dream, then he or she should go for it. Do not be afraid of what you believe in and follow your heart. Also, take chances and risks. As a writer, you learn a lot along the way and can create a whole new world of characters, places, themes, climaxes, settings, tones, styles, and moods. Not only that, but you can meet a lot of new and different people. It’s very important to expand your horizons and to see what is out there. Also, let others read your work. You can learn a lot through constructive criticism and do not give up. Writing is hard, however, it sincerely comes from the heart.
“If it’s a dream of yours, then follow it. You’re never too old or young to go after your dreams.”
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