John Travolta's Son Dies
This is tragic news. John Travolta's and Kelly Preston's 16-year-old son, Jett, died today. The family was vacationing in the Bahamas. John's attorney said Jett suffered a seizure and could not be revived. He died on the scene.
John said his son suffered from Kawasaki Syndrome. Kelly said Jett initially fell ill at the age of two after inhaling carpet cleaning fumes that caused his immune system to shut down in a 2001 Good Morning America interview. Jett reportedly required assistance and was seen in a wheelchair. He was rarely photographed with his family, although the main picture (above) is from a 2004 family vacation (Jett is in the middle).
John and Kelly also have a daughter, Ella.
My condolences to the Travolta-Preston family.
Update: More information has been released.
John Travolta's teenage son, Jett, died in the Bahamas after falling ill and hitting his head at his family's vacation home, police said Friday. A house caretaker found Jett, 16, unconscious in a bathroom late Friday morning. He was taken by ambulance to a Freeport hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to a statement from chief police superintendent Basil Rahming.
Photos by WENN and Bauer Griffin
5355 points
so sad...thoughts & prayers to them...
8490 points
That's sad. What a terrible way to start the new year.
what a way to start the new year.
1350 points
So so sad. The poor family.losethatgirl blog
I'm so sorry for Jett. His family as well; who can stand to lose a child?
Holy crap! wasn't he their only son too? how tragic.
I pray for their loss. My dog has seizures too.
I'm not entirely sure what you mean when mentioning your dog's seizures within the context of the death of a child!
just relax OK. It is obvious the person who posted loves her dog like mothers love their children. A dog is a live being, and in most cases better than 95% of humans you meet everyday. You do not need to compare the two. It is not what important to you, it is only for the person who is going through difficulties to decide.
2660 points
sorry but comparing the loss of a son to a dog is just ridiculous.
Your an idiot.....when a dog dies it feels the same to the person that loves that dog as the pain is for a human... The pain is just as unbearable ...My dogs are my kids, and I will grieve as any mother would. My heart goes out to both John and Kelly as well as their daughter that lost her brother.
2660 points
I had a dog since I was 2year old and he died when I was 19. Obviously I cried, but there is no way you can compare it to losing a child. Obviously you don't know what you're talking about.
8980 points
I hope that Jett will be loved unconditionally where he is now. That is all I can say.
Stop trying to imply that he was not unconditionally loved by his parents because he was. Just because his parents did not parade him around, did not mean they did not love their son. When I saw interviews with John and they asked him about Jett his face lit up when he talked about him. He loved his son, I can't begin to imagine the pain he must be going through right now. Nor do I ever want to being a parent myself.
8980 points
Wow! Was trying to keep it kind but since you opened it up...
Yes and did you read where it said the caretaker found him a day later? He went to the bathroom on Thursday and was not found til Friday morning?!Please! Soooo unbelievably neglectful on their part. My son is 16 and suffers from autism, and I ALWAYS know where he is, I am the caretaker! They denied his illnesses for a long time and only talked about their perfect daughter Ella. I DO NOT feel sorry for them. I DO feel grief for the boy that died. Tragic!
I could not agree with you more! I am so saddened by this and really feel for that poor boy. I read an interview with john about two yrs ago, in which he was asked if he would have more children and his response was "yes kelly and I are trying for another child we really want a boy, we already have our little princess" I mean seriously i was disgusted by that comment. I could rant on for hours, but I won't coz that poor boy has lost his life
You are very cold hearted if you don't feel bad for them for losing their son!
They loved their son, just becuase they did don go about treating his condition they was you would have, does not mean they loved him any less.
Plus, Jett could have been under the care of the caretaker because the parents were away for the day or something. You don't know the situation.
He is 16, not 6! He did have someone there taking care of him. But he did not do a very good job of course. Let's not judge the parents, we don't know them personally.
Every report I saw last night, the reporter talked about how much John loved his son, and protected his privacy. So that was one of the reasons we did not see him out so much. This from reporters who knew John and Kelly.
No one is alleging that the Travoltas did not love their son....that has nothing to do with the medical neglect that Jett had to suffer from.......the person watching him could not have likely done a thing to prevent his death unless he was in the shower with the kid....so what would be the sensible thing to do....would it maybe be give the child meds to avoid the seziure in the first place...oh but wait...that makes too much sense doesn't it?
YOUR AN ASSHOLE! JOHN TRAVOLTA CONSULTED A DOCTOR AT MARION HOSPITAL IN OCALA FLORIDA REGULARLY. JOHN TRAVOLTA AND KELLY PRESTON TOOK THAT MEDICAL ADVISE AS BEING THAT JETT TRAVOLTA DID NOT HAVE AUTISM HE HAD KAWASAKI SYNDROME. WHICHEVER THE CASE THAT WAS THE DOCTORS OPINION NOT THE DIAGNOSES OF JETTS PARENTS. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT JOHN TRAVOLTA AND KELLY PRESTON AND ELLA LOVED HIM, THE BELIEFS WERE NOT SOMETHING THEY WOULD PLACE ABOVE THE HEALTH OF THERE CHILD, AND WHY OH'' WHY WOULD YOU NOT TAKE THE WORD OF THE PARENTS, AND CHILD, THAT LOVE JETT SO VERY MUCH! INSTEAD YOU WOULD RATHER TAKE THE WORD, OF THE WORLDS BIGGEST ASSHOLE OR ASSHOLES THAT SIT BEHIND A TYPEWRITER, AND FIND WAYS TO START SHIT WITH PEOPLE. AND TO SAY WHAT YOU'VE SAID NOW OF ALL TIMES WHEN IT'S NEVER APPROPRIATE, MEANS YOUR DIGGING YOUR OWN HOLE FILLED WITH ASSHOLES THAT WILL NEVER GET OUT.. GOOD STAY DOWN THERE A ROT..BITCH
Because of Jett's death Kelly and John Travolta will divorce. Kelly will feel guilt over her son's death and John will want to step even further into Scientology. Kelly will open her eyes to the false religion she has been following and realiase the cause of her son's death was her negligence. Kelly and John killed Jett, with negligence and denial. Scientology is a farce followed by Hollywood celebrities who wordship money, statues (Oscar), status and themselves.
Very good assumption about the Travoltas...the likelihood that they will get divorced is about 97% for parents who lose a child to death. If anyone is more likely to see the light I will bet on Kelly and yeah John will get more into Scientology cause he is the king of denial and I'm not talkin about the river in Egypt!
PARENTS WHO NEGLECT THEIR CHILDRENS MEDICAL CONDITION ARE REPOSIBLE AND HELD LIABLE. JOHN AND KELLY WILL GET AWAY WITH IT...WHY?BECAUSE THEY ARE HOLLYWOOD AND IN HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES DO NO WRONG. I KNOW IS HAR DFOR YOU SHEEP MINDLESS CELEBRITY FOLLOWERS TO BELEIVE THAT JOHN AND KELLY ARE WRONG. THEY KILLED JETT BY NOT GETTING HIME THE ATTENTION AND MEDICAL CARE HE NEEDED. MURDER!! BLOODY MURDER!!!
I totally agree with you! Great Mr. Travolta...way to go DAD!!!...so let me get this strait...this was probably not Jett's first seizure for one thing...now I don't know about you but how many times would you feel comfortable watching your child go into seizures before you do something about it???? AND seizure disorders are very common with autism.....so how did that denial work for ya Mr. Travolta???......now I wonder Mr. Travolta if you had a life threatening illness and since you have the option to get treatment because you are an adult , are gonna say no to medication????.....I don't think you will, especially if you know it would mean you could die if you don't take the meds....so people who is ultimately responsible for the safety and protection of their children if it's not the parents?????
I would not want to be either of the Travolta parents as I would not want to live with that guilt and guilty they are!
It's a tragedy, however it was already a tragedy when John and Kelly knew he was autistic and left him untreated due to scientology beliefs. This child was known to not communicate nor was administered proper treatment. John Travolta says it was Kawasaki Syndrome because virtually nothing is known about this condition. I've always felt badly for this child as it seems he was never given the treatment he really needed. I felt terrible when I heard hotel staff found him dead after he appeared to hit is head on the bath tub.
if the family says the boy was NOT autistic, who are you to say that he really was, you don't even know that boy.....don't judge them.
Sorry about Jett's death, but I live in Florida and had met the family before. The boy WAS autistic. So is my nephew. You know a fellow autistic child when you see one.
While he may have had Kawasaki, he was most definitely autistic and the family refused to acknowledge it, let alone get him any help to be able to function.
The bottom line however is no parent should have to suffer the loss of a child.
I am most definitely not Scientologist. However, there is no proven treatment that magically works. Even if he was autistic, they pump them full of drugs. It is debilitating no matter what you do and depending on a severity. I hope never to go through this but it is parents' decision, clearly it has nothing to do with money. And there is nothing wrong with parents feeling embarrassed and trying to keep it quiet, they were not covering up crime, it is highly personal. It is popular nowdays to be coming out with revelations such as former prostitutes and drug addicts are preachers now, or motivation speakers. Not every one wants to do it.
The Travoltas did in fact deny Jett had Autism; Scientology doesn't reconise it as a disease. In fact Scientologist believe that the diseases we humans suffer from i.e. depression is cause by aliens inhabiting our minds. I studied scientology and let me just say I left when they started talking about aliens. The travoltas did hide Jett, they didn't bring him out too much in public, that doesn't mean they didn't love Jett, is just that they refused to accept his condition. Is sounds cruel but for Jett he is in a better place, he is no longer a prisoner of his mind and body. As for your comment, there is something wrong when a parent feels embarassed about a child. IF a child has a disease they can't do anything about, how can a parent feel shame about their own blood? The Travoltas want to present this great family unit, in reality they were suffering seeing their son trapped by Autism.
2660 points
That makes me so sad too. I had a teacher who has a boy suffering from autism, and once, in our very classroom she said she'd rather have her son death. I know she didn't meant it, but having her saying this was just so painful to hear. Anyway, no one should have to bear the loss of a child.
perhaps I did not use the right expression: instead of embarrassment it might be simply tragedy that they were not willing to share. All I am trying to say not everyone is willing to share their most personal tragedies with the rest.
As far as aliens and depression, of course it is silly. But I do beleive that many peoole use this word freevolously. Who said that we must be happy al the time. We have been conditioned to self gratify ourselves immeditelly. Trouble and difficult issues to deal with--take a pill, divorced--take a pill, gave birth to a child--take a pill, shop and take a pill.....Well you get the idea. People need to work on themselves a little more. The past 2.5 years have been most difficult in my life, and my life was not easy. I am depressed most of the time but I do make a point to find something positive and to move ahead. A few people truly need medication, but a former friend of mine was taking Zoloft because she was feeling 'depressed' because her then boyfriend lived in a different state. Now that is idiotic!
That's certainly a more understanding way of saying what you mean!
You are a long winded asshole! Jett Travolta had Kawasaki Syndrome, it can not be diagnosed using technology, doctors have to rely on symptoms. John Travolta spent everyday with his son and was not ashamed of anything. I live in Ocala Florida and I have met and spoken with the both of them (""TOGETHER") he was a proud and loving father. Autism, your full of shit!
you need to go kill yourself you are a very angry person there is no need to call people names just because you don't agree. Meeting John and Kelly doesn't mean you know them well...you are pathetic for putting two humans in such high a pedestal. Get a life!!!
It wasn't autism, it was Kawasaki Syndrome. But that is a very lucid and understanding point, to make that it was there privacy they were holding on to, and not embarrassment they were hiding from. WELL DONE!
How are you so sure I didn't know Jett? Perhaps the family has said the boy was not autistic because Scientology doesn't recognize it. It's widely accepted that this was his actual condition, it just did not want to be recognized by Jett's parents.
It's ''Written that this was his condition, that does not mean it's true. I'm more inclined to believe a father that spent a great deal of time with his son than believing some half baked report, or everybody's beliefs because that's what they read. If you met the Travolta's (I have) you would know the truth. Autism had nothing to do with it. At first it was an immune disorder. In 1994 Jett Travolta was diagnosed with Kawasaki Syndrome (he was 2 years old) the reports are false, what are you going to do tell a father his 2 year old son has autism, before his brain is fully developed? LOOK UP the John Travolta interview on Larry king Live (1994) he talks about it.
meeting the Travoltas and talking to them for a brief period of time doesn't mean you know them very well or know sh!t about them. You don't live with them, you don't know their private personnal going ons. As for his interview, John and Kelly are not going to talk about private matters, in an interview. They will say what they need to, to keep their privacy. You are a celebrity c*ck sucker, keep sucking on that celebrity c*ck.
9995 points
my thoughts exactly, i didnt read your post after i entered my comment. i hope this brings more attention on how many children and adults that need medical treatment are left untreated and neglected because of what this cult teaches. A normal person would get charged for negligence if their child was left untreated or denied medical care, i hope because he is a celebrity this child's death is not ignored.
Reports read that Jett Travolta had autism! Those reports are false, as early as 1994 at the age of 2 he was diagnosed with Kawasaki Syndrome. The symptoms are in no way related to autism. Furthermore Autism does not have life threatening symptoms. John Travolta was interviewed on Larry King Live in 1994 and said that his son had Kawasaki Syndrome. It was also reported that people would talk, by bringing Scientology into the topic just to cause friction, about what happened. These are the heartless people that don't care that 16 year old young man has lost his life, leaving his parents devastated . Check your information before leaving a comment that isn't as ignorant!
Autism is obviously what the child had. Kawasaki syndrome does not keep a person from talking...duh.....also if you take a close look at the child in pictures it is obvious to the trained eye that he was not a normal kid.
15390 points
Very, very sad. :o(
9995 points
sad for their son, he was so young. I never heard of this disease but according to kidshealth.org. and wikipedia If Kawasaki disease is treated within 10 days of the onset of symptoms, heart problems usually do not develop but if left untreated can cause alot of damage and problems to the heart. the changes of someone dying from this disease are 2% and thats only if left untreated. I know its sad this happen but i really wonder if this child was treated properly for this disease they have millions of dollars and Im sure they can afford treatment specially if all it requires is antibiotics. I know scientology doesnt believe in certain treatments and lots of people that need medical care are only treated with vitamins and they end up dying for lack of treatment. im sure that more to this will come up.
At this point we have to wait for and see if anything else may have caused his death! There is a low percentage (2%) chance that Kawasaki Syndrome can kill someone who is older than 8. (effects children 3-8 years old) An Immune disorder may have had something to do with his arteries constricting. The first diagnoses (at 2 years old) was Immune system related. All we can do right now is wait.
This is really say, but I hope that scientooogy will be more exposed now.... the poor boy was autistic and autism is a disease that scientoogy don't considere a disease..... same case with depression, just remember Tom Cruise's very rude comments about Brooke shileld's depression.
agreed!
He wasn't Autistic! read up on Kawasaki Syndrome
Maybe he really had autism because Kawasaki disease is treatable. Maybe the Travoltas were ashamed of their son. This is a said story for more reasons than one. RIP
YOU ARE IGNORANT!
and you are a cvnt!!
wow...a child is dead and you guys are on here ranting about his parents belief...give it a break already....I don't care if they believe in butterflies...it's their right to believe in anything they want too....stop being so frigging judgemental..
33440 points
Exactly!
3960 points
So you don't believe in butterflies?! WTF? What a weird example!
... and Kawasaki syndrome is neither fatal nor provoke seizures.
Hopefully and for the benefit of many other children with similar problem (autism) will be treated now.... I hope and please let´s pray that Scientology will be exposed.
Leah Remini is now saying that psichiatry is something that Hitler impossed.
I think all the haters on this site should just let the family raise his child as his sees fit. Just because we don't agree with what a religion says we think is right does not mean we are right and they are wrong. For example, if you are a Johvah Witness, you can not get a blood transfusion. So if your child was in a car accident and needed one to live ,but you were from that religion, you could not let the doctors get it to your child. So your child would die. The doctors could not make you accept it, because of your relgious beleifs. That is what happened years ago with that singer Salena.
She was shot, and a tranfusion would have saved her life, but her parents did not let the doctors give it to her becuase they were Johvah Witness. They told the doctors to do everything they could to save her, but she could not have blood from someone else. So there you go, every relgion has there way of doing things. That does not mean that John and Kelly did not love their son. Because you could see they did, they lit up evey time they talked about their kids.
I don't think anyone here is accusing John Travolta and Kelly Preston of not loving their son. I also doubt that the family is sitting at home reading what all of us on a gossip site have to say. I haven't heard about Selena and the Jehova Witness stuff, but I doubt anyone's concerns about the treatment of Jett is derived from evil. Jett had a condition that was denied by his parents, unfortunately due to their beliefs. Anyone whom expresses concern over this is merely expressing their sadness over a terrible situation. For years many of us have watched this child go untreated. Having recently finished my doctoral dissertation on autism, I feel like I can call it like I see it. This child had a treatable condition, and it is a shame that it wasn't. Regardless of John and Kelly's beliefs and parenting styles, I'm sure they loved him dearly and are enduring a great loss. Despite how any of us may feel about this situation, we clearly all care about this child. I hope that Jett's family mourn in peace, and that others learn about the importance of autism and proper treatment.
Blood transfusion and surgery is one thing. Pump a growing body with drugs for life that will not do anything except make him more toxic and sick from taking them is another thing. It is a personal decision.
I never heard of Selena's parent refusing blood for their daughter, first time I hear about it. According to her biography and her parents statements, Selena died when that crazy psycho shot her. Selena collapse and died when she tried to run for help, she never had a chance.
I also read the same thing that her parents refused a blood transfusion because of their religious belifs. Of course she died of the gun shot, but when she got to the hospital she had lost alot of blood, and the doctors wanted to give her a transfusion, and her parents said no. That could have saved her life. That was never shown in the movie "Salena" because her father was in charge of the movie too. Do you think he would have shown that in the movie? Sad, but that is a desicion they will have to live will with for the rest of their lives. That is what their religion teaches.
12135 points
Whatever the causes, reasons or background behind this tragedy, it makes it no less sad. I'm sure his parents and family are grieving.
300 points
So very, very sad. Whatever the case, the parents will have to live this tragedy.
If they follow their religion is fine for me..... but they cannot be denying that there is a disease named "autism" they are public figures and is not responsible to deny the existence of a decease.
Besides the Travoltas are very active in the scientology group, together with Leah Remini, The Cruise and many others trying to "conscientize" people against depressions, autism and several other REAL diseases.
Wonder how much of them not allowing him needed medication played in this.
1450 points
As a mother, my worst nightmare is losing one of my children. While I don't agree with their methods for raising him, I don't doubt for a minute that they loved him with all their hearts and are devastated right now. My heart goes out to them right now. No parent should suffer the loss of a child. I also don't necessarily think that they were ashamed of him and were keeping him out of the spotlight for that reason. If I had a child who wasn't perfectly normal and I had the paps following me around everywhere...I'd keep my child who wasn't equipped to deal with the commotion out of the way of them, as well. No way would I parade him in front of all those camera's. ESPECIALLY if he really was autistic. That would be his worst nightmare come true.
Exactly, it's hard enough to be paraded in front of paparazzi (Specially when it's your parents that are the celebrity not you). Imagine how an autistic person would feel? I was fortunate enough to meet JOhn when he came to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (with his sister, niece, father and a couple of friends) and he was a wondefrul human being. I had the opportunity to be with him several times during his one week stay in Rio and I sincerely doubt he would be ashamed of his son because of any illness. John probbably didn't parade him to protect him.
I thought Jett had Autism? nevertheless my sympathy goes out to the family. May Jett rest in peace
2375 points
My thoughts are with them.
It must be so hard to lose a child so young.
what a new year
Kawasaki disease occurs in children under 8, and it doesn't cause seizures. And it is not chronic. You get it, you treat it, and it's done. They monitor your heart every 2 years but complications are very rare and would be heart-related if they do occur. I don't know why they would lie about this. On the other hand, autism is not acknowledged by their religion just like postpartum depression. Also Kawasaki disease patients do not require caretakers. Just saying. RIP.
Oh please when its your time to die you die. I have seen many rich people who have it all to treat their sons and dogs but only God can make a person die or live. Travolta are among the nicest stars I met along with Cheadle,Cruise,Jay Leno,Holmes,Degeneres,Brad Pitt,Ben Barnes,Jake Gyllenhaal,Monaghan etc...the meanest I met were Naomi Campbell,JLo,Maggie Gyllenhaal,Dempsey,Heigel,Bale,Streisand.
Oh please when its your time to die you die. I have seen many rich people who have it all to treat their sons and dogs but only God can make a person die or live. Travolta are among the nicest stars I met along with Cheadle,Cruise,Jay Leno,Holmes,Degeneres,Brad Pitt,Ben Barnes,Jake Gyllenhaal,Monaghan etc...the meanest I met were Naomi Campbell,JLo,Maggie Gyllenhaal,Dempsey,Heigel,Bale,Streisand.
Yeah...you can say the Travoltas are nice people but I bet you wouldn't want to be their autistic son.
My heart and prayers go out to this family. As for the same mean spirited heartless lowlives using various names on this site. Im afraid what life has in store for you and your lovedones down the road.
My heart goes out to the Travoltas. So sad.
If the child was autistic, he would not have done well in the glare of celebrity. It probably would have been unsettling, frightening to him, so I would not bame his parents for keeping him out of the spotlight.
300 points
So tragic, I am so sorry for their loss:(
465 points
Sad story.. didn't even know they had children. I've never been a fan of either Travolta or his wife, but my prayers are with them during this difficult time.
I also wanted to interject that seizures are not only caused by autism.. yes, people with autism often suffer from seizures, but Jett's seizures don't mean that he was neccessarily autistic. He was 16 years old and I hope that he received all of the medical attention that he should've, but it's impossible as an onlooker to diagnose this child and call his parents idiots because they don't agree with your (amatuer) diagnosis.
300 points
ACROLL
My heart aches for this family....as a parent, to lose a child has to be one of the most awful life tragedies. My most sincere condolences go out to them.
300 points
ACROLL
My heart aches for this family....as a parent, to lose a child has to be one of the most awful life tragedies. My most sincere condolences go out to them.
11110 points
I'm sorry, what does ACROLL stand for, I have seen it a few times.
why is it that people want to see the worst in others. I'm sure these people loved their son and did what they thought was best for him. Right or wrong, they love him. Usually I like leaving bitchy comments about celebs, however, this is not the time to do it. Show some respect.
my condolences to the family
Oh, this doesn't sound right. Now they are saying the boy went to take a bath Thursday night and was found by the caregiver Friday morning? A child with a history of seizures and possibly communication difficulties? Nobody was checking on him, nobody went to say goodnight?
exactly, as a parent how the heck you don't check on your kid? if my son goes to the bathroom on Thursday night, wether he is sick or not I'm going to go check on him. Especially if you don't see him for hours, the Travoltas were neglectful with Jett. I read an attendant found him the next day Friday at 10am!! he was in that bathroom alone for hours...where was the parents? you would think John or Kelly would say "hey, where is Jett? we havent seen him for hours?" I think their grief is also guilt.
For all we know, the parents could have gone out for the night, and left him under the care of someone else. Plus he is also 16. He is not 6. He might of been able to take care of his daily needs if he indeed did not have autism, or had a mild case. So his "nanny" or whatever is not going to be checking in on a 16 year old evey hour. He was probably went to bed for the night and they assumed he was fine, and when he did not get up in the morning they went to check on him. But of course we were not there, and we can only assume what happened. I know it's not guilt, they loved their son, and they took good care of their children. They are truely suffering right now.
Where did it say that he went to the bathroom Thursday night??? For all we know he went to the bathroom that Friday morning and had a seizure within that hour? I don't think it's right for us to judge. My condolence to the family. This is a tragedy.
It is a tragedy and God bless Jett. The news is reporting that the parents said he went into the bathroom Thursday night and was found 10 am Friday morning.
What a tragic thing to lose a child no matter the cause. As the parent of a child who had Kawaski disease I am pretty well educated on the disease and it's very unlikely he died of complications of it. Kawasaki typically lasts 10-14 days with a death rate of 1% during the acute phase of the disease NOT 14 years later. Children are monitored every 3 years incase there is heart involvement BUT it is rare and also just to track the disease because the cause and effects are still unknown... and it does NOT cause siezures which Jett has been reported to suffer his entire life.. It sounds like he had many medical issues throught his life.
As for him going to the bathroom Thursday night and not being found until Friday morning.. he was 16 I'm sure they didn't watch him like a 4 yr old... maybe he was getting ready for bed and was found when he didnt get up in the am at his usual time? you guys are so quick to put them in a bad light.. no matter the cause .. they must be devistated and heartbroken.. I can't even imagine.
The controversay here is that Jett was widely believed to have autism. Apparently, Scientology does not recognize autism, and there would be a stigma attached to the child and the family if it was claimed to be so. Some people are of the opinion that Jett was not getting the proper treatment because of this, and his parents had made a few unfortunate public statements about him. For instance, John was asked if he'd like more children, and he said yes, maybe - that he already had his perfect little girl so he might like a boy. Jett was alive at this time. John's brother did fundraisers for autism research and John refused to participate. Naturally, this would make me feel sadder for Jett, and I do hope he found some joy in his short life. My son is on the autism spectrum, so I believe I have the right to question whether Scientology's influence prevented this child from recieving proper care. If Jett's death means that awareness could be raised, I wouldn't choose to stop the conversation.
Pfft! Everyone knows it wasn't Kawasaki's disease! That disease is short-lived, with different symptoms. (That excuse may've been believable when Jett was 6 years old, but not at 16). I certainly hope there is an inquiry into poor Jett's death. Jett was a non-verbal, relatively low-functioning autistic. Any parent of a disabled child who dies due to parental neglect (he supposedly had a seizure, hit his head in the bath, and wasn't found until a day later?) should be put in prison.
To continue my last post: autism has many levels of functioning. My daughter at 4 is likely higher-functioning than Jett at 16. The Travoltas should not have treated Jett like "any other 16 year old" - ESPECIALLY if he had a seizure disorder! Jeez, even the DMV knows that - you aren't safe to drive with an untreated seizure disorder because you could kill yourself or others! If someone I loved had a seizure disorder (even without low-functioning autism) you bet yer @$$ I would stand outside the bathroom door every time they took a shower to make sure they didn't fall and drown. And I don't treat my 4 year old autistic daughter the same way as I did her neuro-typical brother at the same age. I love her just the same, sure, but I am acutely aware of the danager leaving her alone and unwatched might bring, even for a second.
I'm sure that Jett did have Kawasaki Disease, as diagnosed by doctors when he was 2...and others have claimed their children have gotten it also, from cleaning products and chemicals in their house. (if that's true so be it) But Brian Littrel from the Backstreet Boys was on CNN last night with his son (who had Kawasaki Disease) and his son was treated and seemed like a "typical" boy. The fact of the matter is Jetts parents disguised his autism with this Kawasaki Disease because their religious beliefs don't agree with Autism. It is no coincidence that children with autism are usually diagnosed around the age of 2. I teach children with Autism and do not claim to be an expert, but I believe Jett had Autism, and it was sad to see that because of their beliefs they thought of him differently. He would not have been cured of Autism, as we know there is none at this point, but there are several things that can be done to help. Bottom line is this is a horrible tragedy and autism or not, they lost their son, and it must be an unimaginable pain to go through. My prayers are with the family.
Kawasaki is not a life long disease it does not cause seizures or autism or retardation or Learning Disabilities nothing of the sort, it is exactly like a virus anyone can catch that with treatment is gone within 2 weeks with no long term effects once so ever.. except the 1% chance that a child has heart involvement and dies.. My son is now 11 he had Kawasaki at 6 months old he is 100% recovered and normal.
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