This week on the Smile Good News Network I wanted to write about something that often divides us, but at the end of the day we all want it to work and we all recognise that the majority of the people involved here are just trying their best.

I have had two members of my family who have served in the South African Police Services, one who died in service and one who recently left to take on a much better paying and safer job on a golf course.

Having served in the military I know that once you put on the uniform and are given a gun, you don’t instantaneously become a superman or become braver.

Conflict is never nice and under the dark blue uniforms are normal people who have families and pets and are just trying to do their best.

We don’t tar the entire human race because of a few bad apples and I think it’s the same with our police force.

Coming across the following anonymous article on Facebook, written by a policeman, I just had to share it with you:

“I have pulled dead, mangled bodies from cars. I have lied to people as they were dying. I said you are going to be fine as I held their hand and watched the life fade out.

I have held dying babies. Bought lunch for people who were mentally ill and haven’t eaten in a while.

I have had people try to stab me. Fought with men trying to shoot me. I’ve been attacked by women while I was arresting their husband who had just severely beat them. I have held towels on bullet wounds. Done CPR when I knew it wouldn’t help just to make family members feel better.

I have torn down doors, fought in drug houses. Chased fugitives through the woods. I have been in high-speed car chases. Foot chases across an interstate during rush hour traffic.

I have been in crashes. Been squeezing the trigger about to kill a man when they came to their senses and stopped. Waded through large angry crowds by myself. Drove like a madman to help a fellow officer. Let little kids who don’t have much sit in my patrol car and pretend they are a cop for their birthday.

I have taken a lot of people to jail. Given many breaks. Prayed for people I don’t even know. Yes, and at times I have been violent when I had to be.

I have been kind when I could. I admit I have driven to some dark place and cried by myself when I was overwhelmed.

I have missed Christmas and other holidays more than I wanted to.

Every cop I know has done all these things and more for lousy pay, exhausting hours, and a short life expectancy. We don’t want your pity, I don’t even ask for your respect. Just let us do our jobs without killing us.”

I for one would like to say a big thank you to the unsung heroes of our Police Force. We do appreciate what you are doing for us and you have our huge respect.

A bouncy eight-year-old and bubbly four-year-old came bounding out of the elevators at the Smile 90.4FM studios yesterday, with big energy and big hugs to go around the entire office.

Little Angelique Schröder’s story of courage has spread far and wide, and the Schröder family paid Smile 90.4FM a special visit after we featured her story on the radio.

The four-year-old recently became one of the youngest patients in South Africa to undergo a successful microvascular foot to hand transfer. Her toe is now a functioning digit on her hand. She’s been in and out of operations since she was just six months old, after being born with no hand, and only rudimentary digits on the other.

But you wouldn’t say she’s been through such trauma when meeting her.

Angelique is a determined little girl, at times shy, but definitely no shrinking violet – running through the office and rough-housing with her big brother Kian. Missing a toe is not a handicap for this little warrior, she even does ballet!

While the family has been through a lot, their hope for the future is inspirational. You can just sense, while they are still dealing with the trauma, that they are a strong family unit, and eight-year-old Kian is the ultimate supportive big brother.

At this tender age, he says he would be willing to give his own hands to his sister Angelique. He also talks with confidence about future technological advancements, like the possibility of growing limbs from thigh tissue?

Angelique won’t hear anything of it. She’s very happy with her own hand, proud to show everyone how she can wiggle her new finger.

The Schröder family left a massive impression on all of us, and the kids were super excited to be interviewed on Smile Breakfast, their first time in a radio studio!

The family has nothing but praise for Dr Mark van der Velde who has been with them every step of the way. He’s waived all his fees, and the Red Cross Children’s Hospital has also told them they can pay their hospital bill “when they can”.

A big thank you to Dr van der Velde and the Red Cross, and thank you to the Schröder’s for visiting our Smile family, and creeping into all of our hearts.

You can listen to Bobby Brown’s interview with Kian and Angelique on Smile Breakfast here.