Local Caretaker Recognized for Commitment to Disabled Youth

Ramona Price was compelled from a young age to care for the sick and disabled. Fueled and inspired by her faith, she pursued a career in nursing. She began by serving with the United States Air Force. Then, once finishing her service, she started working within the hospital systems and nursing homes.

About 15 years ago, she made the life-changing decision to step away from her professional career as a nurse to open her home to disabled children with complex medical conditions. Many of these children need critical care and face uncertain futures after being removed from unsafe or neglectful home environments.

Over the years, Ramona's home has transformed into a dedicated care facility. She has fostered more than fifteen children, three of whom she adopted to ensure their long-term care. Currently, there are seven children in her home.

"With the care that Ramona provides, these children don't exist within an institution, they truly live their life," said Lieutenant Laura Prom, who spent more than ten years on Medic 5 and nominated Price for a Community Hero Award from the Madison Fire Department. "Ramona is a remarkable human doing remarkable work."

MFD has responded to Price's home on occasion to help with medical transports. In doing so, paramedics recognized the high level of quality care Price was providing the children around the clock and at great personal sacrifice.

“The more I would learn about what she was doing and how she was giving her whole life and world to these children, the more I would admire her," said Lt. Prom.

Price now receives some state funding for her work, and she has a team of approximately six employees helping her, including MFD's own Firefighter/EMT Will Robbins.

“Working at Ramona's has been one of the most rewarding jobs I've had," said Robbins. "Ramona is always thinking about how she can get the kids to improve their situation, whether that be helping them learn to walk or teaching them American Sign Language via YouTube to make it easier for them to communicate. Working here for almost eight years, I've had the pleasure to see these ideas become a reality."

Lt. Prom and the crew at Fire Station 5 presented Price with a Community Hero challenge coin and a letter from the department in recognition of the positive difference she continues to make in the lives of children.

"In our work as first responders, we see firsthand how acts of kindness and service can transform lives and strengthen the bonds that hold our community together," said Assistant Chief of EMS Operations Chris Hammes in the letter to Price. "You remind us that heroism does not only happen in emergencies—it also happens quietly, every day, through compassion and care."