Everyday Heroes

CCDPH is celebrating Everyday Heroes of the COVID-19 response. Everyday Heroes are people living, working, or volunteering in suburban Cook County who are helping each other during these extremely difficult times. To see more Everyday Heroes, please see this page.

They call it something different, but everyone that you talk to about Veronica Thompson mentions her grit. Her son Anthony says that, “She doesn’t give up.” Her daughter Maya says that she “pushes through everything.” And her friend from church, Paula Tripp, talks about her perseverance.  

Veronica’s currently a medical assistant at a clinic in Orland Park, but she’s going to school to follow her dream of becoming a nurse. When she’s not hanging out with her kids, working, or at church, she’s studying or going to class. When Veronica had some back pain last year, Paula says, she kept going until it was almost physically impossible to continue. 

Veronica’s also empathetic and cares deeply about people. She goes out of her way to help people, and shops for groceries for her elderly neighbors. Maya says that she’s very gentle with her patients.  

Taking care of patients has been drastically different with COVID-19. When Veronica helps patient in person, she can give them a hug or look them in the eye to reassure them. COVID-19 has made all of that more difficult. Veronica’s been pitching in at work. She’s working at the testing site at work every other week.

She also has many other wonderful traits. Anthony says that she’s funny. Paula mentions her humility. And Maya mentions her ability to stay calm. Maya respects her mom for being able to do so much and still be there for her kids. 

How does she do it? Veronica says that her faith is her foundation. Paula says that, “Her love for God shines through in everything that she does.” Veronica is also inspired by her mom, and to be a role model for her “two little ones”, although she realizes that her almost high schooler and almost college student aren’t so little anymore. 

“She’s always been an Everyday Hero,” says Paula, “and even more so at this time” 

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   6. Describe in 2-3 sentences why you think this person is an Everyday Hero