Amy Krome, daughter of EM visionary Ron Krome, embarks on a solo bike ride
to benefit military veterans.
Part of a series: Click here to read ‘Remembering Dr. Krome’
Let me introduce you to Amy Krome. K-R-O-M-E ‘like krome-on-a-car’. Readers who knew Ron Krome will recognize this greeting. For those who didn’t know Ron, he was one of the key founders of emergency medicine, serving as president of ACEP, ABEM, and UA/EM. He was the editor-in-chief of JACEP and Annals of Emergency Medicine and he mentored many, many emergency physicians along the way. Amy is his daughter.
In early September, as this edition of EPM is hitting mailboxes, Amy Krome will take off on a one-woman bike ride – dubbed “Angel on the Move” – in support of Soldiers’ Angels. After the events of 9/11, Amy wanted to do something to ‘give back’, but her disability of cerebral palsy made it difficult to find the best niche. In Soldiers’ Angels – a non-profit known for sending hundreds of thousands of letters and care packages to soldiers – Amy found a good match for her abilities and interests.
Soldiers’ Angels provides aid and comfort to men and women deployed or wounded in the US Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard; their families; and veterans. The group raises funds and provides many types of supports such as voice-controlled/adaptive laptops for the wounded, and care packages with essential and comforting items to the deployed and their families. “Operation TOPKNOT” sets up virtual baby showers for pregnant women when their spouse is deployed. “Women of Valor” provides support to women caregivers of wounded, ill and injured service members. Holidays can be emotionally and financially stressful, and Soldiers’ Angels provides a framework for individuals or groups to ‘adopt’ a military family during the holidays.
Angel on the Move is Amy’s original fundraising idea for Soldiers’ Angels and it is the first such ride organized for the group. Amy’s desire was to show wounded warriors that “no matter what physical handicaps they have, they could put their mind to it and do whatever they wanted.” Amy says, “I don’t like to be told I can’t! I love the shock and awe factor that comes from trying!” Amy’s fundraising goal is $3000.
After several years attempting to raise funds for a special bicycle with which to do the ride – which will cover a 10-mile track in Lexington, KY – Tim Kotulak and a group of friends who knew Ron Krome in Michigan, stepped in. Their group, called Miles for Medics, created a crowd-funding campaign to purchase the bicycle. When the editors here at Emergency Physicians Monthly got wind of the project, we were proud to join forces and get Amy her bicycle!
Just as many of us know Ron and Amy, I’ll bet that most of us have a family member, colleague, friend, or acquaintance who has a disability. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As doctors in a physically active specialty, we don’t often think of the ADA and the positive effects it has had. The ADA mandated equal access to employment, public accommodations and government programs for those with physical or mental impairment. Besides the environmental, professional, financial and legal tools the ADA provides, it has a much deeper effect. It’s about welcoming, helping, and providing a sense of belonging and accomplishment to all those with unusual abilities.
We wish Amy all the best on her ride, and in her continued support of veterans. Click here to read more about her ride and fundraising campaign.
For an update on how the ride went – click over to our Facebook page for pictures and a video.
Ways to Give Back
Want to follow the Krome example but don’t know where to get started? Here are four simple ways to put your skills to use in the community and abroad.
- Give to the Community: Want to help your neighbor? Consider volunteering with a regional free clinic like Remote Area Medical. Learn more at www.ramusa.org
- Give to Local Children: Volunteer with a community-based mentoring program like Big Brothers
Big Sisters of America. Learn more at www.bbbs.org - Give Online: Pressed for time? Sign up with AmazonSmile and part of each qualified purchase will go to the charity of your choice. Learn more at www.smile.amazon.com
- Give Back Overseas: With Health Volunteers Overseas you can provide medical training to healthcare providers in any country. Learn more at www.hvousa.org
