Lost and Found

We were based on Bangkok as journalists when we first met Eddie and became friends. We did some trips with him to the Thai/Burma border and saw the work he did as a clown, entertaining some of the desperately disadvantaged kids in the refugee camps and border schools. As our friendship grew he told us his own story of a lifelong struggle to deal with the sexual abuse that stole his childhood and cursed him with a depression that clouded most of his adult life.

The change in Eddie’s life came about when he recognised he was his own worst enemy and to quote him - “I was just wrapped up in my own misery and thinking about me, me, me”.

We believed his story was worth telling but, afraid how he would be judged by others, Eddie was reluctant to speak of his childhood. He also feared the opening up old wounds so we put the idea of a documentary aside.

Two years ago he said he was finally prepared to talk about his childhood in the hope that it might help others who had suffered as he had. And when Eddie decided to talk the floodgates opened and he didn’t spare the details.

There is a growing narrative that recognises we all need to be less selfish in this world and Eddie - much to his own surprise - shows to that to be selfless truly is a path to happiness. His journey is a message for everyone.