A picture of Iain Brown from the PBS Frontline Children of the Night Episode

Iain Brown went to Venezuela with his parents because his father worked for an American Oil Company. Iain and his older brother Kevin had a great time there. It was especially nice because Iain and his brother were best friends. His younger brother was too young to participate in their adventures and shenanigans. All three boys were adopted, but their family was happy and especially close. The boys were horsing around, riding their skateboards down a steep hill next to their school. Suddenly his brother Kevin gained too much speed and slammed into a steel link fence, face first, at the bottom of the hill. The force of the collision drove his nose bones into his brain, killing him instantly. Iain blamed himself for the accident and never forgave himself.

         Iain and his family, happy shortly before Kevin's death.

                                                                   Iain's Mom.

Iains' friend Chris, who met him when he came back to California. They got into more than their share of trouble, but mostly for shenanigans. Chris could tell wasn't really happy, but couldn't get him to talk about it. But they had fun together, then one day he disappeared. At age 13, Iain had been caught smoking a joint at summer camp and his parents were called to pick him up. Shortly after that, his life took a huge turn.

Iain was a lost soul, eventually, he ran away to San Francisco and took a joy ride on someone's sailboat. Shortly thereafter, he became a street kid.

PBS's Frontline presented on February 14, 1989 did a story about street kids and focused on Iain's Story in 1988. He had become the leader of the pack of street kids in San Francisco. They only had each other and became a family. Iain would go with them to the hospital when they were sick. He would make sure that they ate at least some healthy food. He was the heart and soul of his group. After the PBS Special, Iain became famous, which drew far too much attention. He preferred peace and quiet and to do his good works unnoticed by any outsiders. Iain chose to return home, but he seemed as lonely and lost as ever. He still wasn't happy, he just didn't fit in anywhere. He succeeded for a while, making friends and even getting a girlfriend. But, then, someone found out about his life on the streets and spread the word. Kids at school found out that he was a street kid and had "sold himself" to survive. They called him a faggot to his face and behind his back. It was devastating to him and his last hope for a normal life seemed to evaporate in front of his eyes.
His desperate parents tried to get him help sending him a psychologist, but nothing seemed to work. A neighbor, an author,William David McIntosh, took an interest in Iain and gave him someone to talk to, a non-judgmental outsider. They decided to write a book together about Iain's trials and tribulations. But every conversation always came back to the pain of losing his brother and how lonely he felt without him.  He missed Kevin every day of his life.

One day as the garbage men were picking up the trash, then they came to the door. Iain's mom answered the door. They asked to you have a blonde son? And as gently as they could they told her to call 911, her son was hanging from a tree in their side yard.

Unfortunately, Iain made the decision to take his own life. The people who knew him loved him. They miss him even today. And of course the street kids he helped remember the loving big brother he became to them and because he had made such a difference in their lives. If only Iain let the people who populated his life hug him and comfort him, he would realize how important he truly was to them, that he mattered to more people than he knew, so that they could have brought him back to the light. That is what his big brother would have wanted. At least Iain is at peace and with his brother Kevin now. And that is what he would have wanted. But we and his friends from the streets of San Francisco will be the ones who will continue to miss him, though I never met him, I consider him my friend and I have no higher complement.

A remembrance page about Iain: http://rememberiainbrown.com/ has evaporated since I originally posted this link.

I am looking for a copy of the PBS FRONTLINE episode about Iain. I saw in 1988 and will never forget it. If anyone can share that episode with me, will be very much appreciated. bkohatl@hotmail.com

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wt8Gv6xkA0


Hello Darkness My Old Friend: One of those stories that will get you to scratch your head and say that's so neat. Paul Simon was a shy music prodigy as a kid. He began experimenting with writing music at 13/14-years old. To not disturb his Mom and Dad, he would go to the upstairs bathroom, turn off the light, hum and sing, experimenting with harmonies, music and lyrics. One of his first songs would evolve into this masterpiece, listen to the lyrics to understand the significance of its composition.

It is National Teacher's Day in the US. My favorite teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams of East Valley Elementary in Marietta, Georgia. I was a very shy kid growing up. My best and happiest year in school was in 1965. I was in the 3rd grade. Shy kids are always terrified at the beginning of a new school year: new teacher, new kids, way too much new stuff. I was scared.
As I stepped off the bus I hear a gentle voice say "Good Morning, Brian. I am Mrs. Williams and you are going to be in my class." She puts her hand on my shoulder and walks me to our room. She told me later that she made a point of doing that with all her shy kids on their first day. Another memory: Most kids were allowed to choose their own books for reports, she chose my book for me. She told me that she wanted books that would challenge me. My Dad had been made Vice President of Mead Corporation Europe. He lived in Paris. She gave me a wonderful book to read, "Is Paris Burning" by Paris Match Reporter Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins of Newsweek because she knew that I loved history. An extraordinary book for a 3rd grade teacher to give a nine-year-old boy. I didn't want to let her down and I wanted to learn everything about France since my Dad was working there. I got an A on the oral report but it wasn't easy for me. I really was very, very shy. I hated speaking in front of class. She took time every day having me practice my oral report in front of her, while everyone else was busy with the assignment, because I usually finished assignments first or second, then she gave me suggestions to help me with my presentation when I gave my report to the class, though terrified, I did well and owed it all to her, Mrs. Williams a great teacher, because she was a great human being. I made straight A's that year. But then again, I usually did. But this year, I made a 99 average across all my subjects. I hope you had a Mrs. Williams in your life too.