As a kid, I was sick a lot and I missed school quite a bit. I seemed to spend a lot of time at the doctor’s office and I was often diagnosed with sinus infections, colds, post-nasal drip, chronic/acute bronchitis, or pneumonia. For months at a time, I lived on antibiotics, cough medicine, and cough drops. During my sick times, it was a nightly routine to slather my chest with Vick’s VapoRub and put oven-warmed towels on my chest to help me breathe.

It was a struggle for my folks because my coughing was keeping them awake. I have memories from when I was just an itty-bitty thing struggling to suppress this constant coughing. On occasion I would go sit in the closet in my bedroom coughing into my pillow trying to silence my coughs so everyone could sleep. I would do this until the wee hours of the morning and sometimes I would fall asleep in the closet.

Then, the coughing would suddenly clear up and everything would be fine. My life would return to normal and it would all seem to be just a bad dream… until the next time. This was my pattern for years. It wasn’t until I was in my early 30’s when I ended up seeing an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) for an ear infection, that I finally got a new diagnosis to my sinus and respiratory issues.

While getting treated for an ear infection, I told the ENT my history of coughing, colds, etc. and he examined me. He said he saw evidence of multiple issues. He felt absolutely certain much of my problem was caused by allergies. He suggested that the chronic wheezing I was experiencing was due to allergic asthma. He also asked me if I was aware that I had a deviated nasal septum. I had no idea what that even was, so he demonstrated it to me. He pushed close one nostril and had me inhale through my nose. The air freely moved into my lungs. Then he held down the other nostril and had me inhale. There was very little, if any, air into my lungs! I was completely shocked by that. How could I have not been aware of this?

He tested me for allergies and sure enough, I had significant allergy issues. I began daily allergy medicines, shots, and using an inhaler for the asthma. I also had a septoplasty to correct the deviated septum. The problems weren’t fixed over night, but bit by bit I began to improve. It has made a huge difference to the quality of my life. I eventually stopped taking allergy medicine and the shots all together. I can’t even tell you the last time I had a sinus infection, cold, or bronchitis.

It’s difficult for me to believe that at one time I thought the misery I was experiencing was a “normal” part of life and just something that I had to live with. When family, friends, or total strangers on a street comment to me about frequent colds or other chronic sinus issues, my first question is always, “Have you been to a specialist to be tested for allergies?”

Just a few weeks ago, I wrote a post about not being caught off-guard in summer storms. Sometimes I need to learn to take my own advice.

 This past Sunday a wicked thunderstorm tore through the Maryland, DC and Virginia area. There were tornado warnings in some areas and, though I don't think any funnel clouds were actually spotted, the storm left quite a mess to clean up.

I wasn't the least bit prepared for it. I had no idea storms were in the forecast. I was busy helping a friend move.

By the time I got back home, I found out my house had been without electricity for eight hours. Traffic lights were out everywhere, creating back-ups while police tried to direct traffic at some of the busiest intersections.

As I stumbled up the stairs by the glow from my cell phone screen, I tried to remember where I'd stashed my flashlight. I knew I had one somewhere, but of course when I found it the batteries were almost dead so the light flickered a lot.

Luckily, my power came back on about a half hour later. Being able to run the fans and the air conditioner helped cool the stuffiness and I was lucky that none of the food in my fridge had gone bad.

Several of my friends and coworkers aren't expecting to get their power back until the end of the week. They're getting by on candlelight and flashlights and eating most of their meals at restaurants since all the food in their fridges has gone bad.

It's a crappy situation all around, but stuff like this always reminds me of the importance of being prepared in an emergency. FEMA has a great list of things to keep on hand, just in case, as well as advice on how to put a disaster kit together.

I know I need to find some new batteries for my flashlight. What's one thing you need to do to be prepared for the next big storm?

I'm fairly certain that while growing up, my sister and I didn't miss a single opportunity to watch any cartoon special on TV. Because of this, we have some pretty obscure movie lines we use regularly for nearly any life situation.

Unfortunately, because most kids were much cooler than us, nobody has a clue that every time we say, "To the beach, Jon!" it is a reference to "Garfield in Paradise" circa 1986.

One of our favorite specials was "Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown." In this cartoon epic, the Peanuts gang travels to Europe allegedly to participate in a student-exchange program. For reasons never explained, Lucy doesn't get to cross the pond, but yells, "Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown, and don't come back!!" as the rest of the troops board their flight.

Since then, this has been our standard way to say "goodbye" to each other.

Today, I am saying, "Bon voyage, and don't come back!" to my regular Wednesday blog entry on Gov Gab. When I first arrived at the Federal Citizen Information Center over three years ago, Gov Gab was merely an idea, with a different name. Since then I've been able to write about everything from Root Canal Awareness Week, to Smoking Bans, and all things in-between, including an open letter to Punxsutawney Phil.

During my time spent in this office, I've realized that there really are many, many resources available to the public from your government to help you out. USA.gov (newly re-designed!) has a wealth of information available- most of which you probably might not even think of as "government" related. The fine people at the National Contact Center (1-800-FED-INFO) passed the ultimate test- dealing with my Mother- and are there to assist you with your needs over the telephone. For your brochures or pamphlets on government services or programs, pueblo.gsa.gov is at your service to send printed information.

But behind all these great services and more, are government workers who really do care, and take pride in their work. I know there is a stigma of the typical bureaucrat worker- but please believe there are people who work tirelessly on weekends and after-hours to do the best we can to make sure the government is working for YOU.

I've loved interacting with you readers via the comments section and email. Even the ones who gave me a hard time. That's what the government and this blog are all about- making your voice heard.

I am setting out to continue my education in a sunny and warm location, but leave with nothing but fond memories and experience. I'll continue to read Gov Gab regularly- so you may see me in the comments section from time to time!

So instead of saying, "Bon voyage, and don't come back!" I leave you with, "Welcome to Great Britain." "We'll never get to England now!" And if you can name that movie, you are a shoo-in for Gov Gab's reader of the year.

Go Phillies!

~Colleen

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Act gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities. It guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications.

The ADA did not garner a lot of attention when it was signed, which is slightly surprising. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau stated there were 54 million people in the U.S. with a disability; 11 million of them needing personal assistance with everyday activities. To give you an idea of the ADA's impact, in 1995 less than 40 percent of buses in the country were lift- or ramp-equipped, and by 2008, 98 percent had lifts for ramps.

The best way to understand the ADA's impact is to hear stories from the people it has helped. That's why the Disability.gov Blog has been running "100 Days to the ADA" that features disabled citizens writing about how the ADA has changed their lives in very personal posts. For instance, in Thursday's post a gentleman wrote about how researching the ADA for a  paper helped pull him out of his depression.

Do you know anyone who has been personally affected by the ADA?