Associated Content - January 3, 2009
Was Jett Travolta Autistic and Denied Treatment?
by Heather K. Adam
As previously reported, Jett Travolta, son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, died Friday, January 2, after hitting his head on the bathtub during a seizure. A statement by the family lawyer, Michael Ossis, stated Jett Travolta had a history of seizures, and that they were under control until this fatal one.
Jett Travolta and Kawasaki Syndrome
Kelly Preston, Jett's mother, revealed in 2002 that Jett Travolta has a rare disorder called Kawasaki Syndrome. According to KidsHealth.org, Kawasaki Syndrome is a lymph node disorder which causes rashes upon the body and if left untreated, it can cause damage to the heart and vascular system. Kawasaki Syndrome does not cause seizures. If Jett Travolta wasn't seizing because of Kawasaki Syndrome, why was he experiencing seizures? Was Kawasaki Syndrome a cover for Jett Travolta's true disorder: autism?
Jett Travolta and Rumors of Autism
According to a news article on Telegraph.co.uk, there is much speculation about whether Jett Travolta was autistic. The rumors claim Jett Travolta lacked communication skills, which is a classic sign of autism.
Why is this such a big deal? Because the Church of Scientology doesn't recognize autism as a condition. Autism doesn't exist, according to Scientology beliefs.
Church of Scientology's Stance on Autism
The Church of Scientology denounces any mental illness, and it rejects the use of prescription medication to treat these illnesses, including autism. According to Wikipedia, autism is commonly associated with epilepsy. There are anti-convulsion drugs that can help with the seizures, but the Church of Scientology doesn't believe autism and the related seizures even exist. Why would they treat it?
Tom Cruise Explains Scientology Beliefs on Today Show
Back in 2005, Tom Cruise and Today Show host Matt Lauer debated about the Church of Scientology's views on mental illness when Lauer confronted Cruise on his criticism of Brooke Shields for taking anti-depressants after suffering post-partum depression. Tom Cruise stated that Matt Lauer didn't know what he was talking about when Lauer said he knew several people who were helped by anti-depressants. Cruise continued to say, "You don't know the history of psychiatry. I do."
Did the Church of Scientology kill Jett Travolta?
According to Wikipedia, the Church of Scientology has a series of techniques to help with injury, trauma, and discomfort. The Church of Scientology believes that if you can reconnect your spirit to your body, the spirit can solve all things wrong with the body.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston are members of the Church of Scientology. Their son, Jett Travolta, was suffering from seizures which were not caused by Kawasaki syndrome. Furthermore, Jett Travolta exhibited the classic signs of autism in the marked communication issues. The Church of Scientology denies mental illness, including autism, exists.
My conclusion is that the Church of Scientology definitely played a part in the death of Jett Travolta. There are some things even L. Ron Hubbard can't cure.
Sources:
"John Travolta's Son, Jett, Died Friday in the Bahamas", AssociatedContent.com
"John Travolta's son to have autopsy amid autism allegations", Telegraph.co.uk
"Scientology beliefs and practices", Wikipedia.org
"Autism", Wikipedia.org
"Cruise tangles with Matt Lauer", MSNBC.com
"Kawasaki Disorder", KidsHealth.org
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What a terrible loss, but as an Aunt to a 16 year old, high functioning autistic nephew, I feel very strongly that child abuse/neglect charges should be filed against Travolta and Preston. How was a 51A never filed in Jett's defense? I am a mandated reporter and I would report this in an instant!
ReplyDeleteI took care of my nephew for 3 months when my sister fell ill, and while there is no "treatment" or "cure" for autism, there is a lot you can do to help your child. I spent HOURS makign sure that I did what ANY responsible, caring parent/guardian would. I met with school counselors, Social workers, the DMR (department of mental retardation, now or soon to be the DDD Department of Developmental disibilites), special education teachers, therapists, you name it. If you don't know autism first hand, then you can't imagine what it is like for these kids!!
The fact that their religion dismisses autism is simply ignorant. What is wrong with these people? Child with autism need special treatment to do the simpliest of things. Let me give you an example, one parent/teacher day, my nephew saw a string on his pant leg very early in the morning and even after it was removed, THE REST OF THE DAY was shot, as he could not focus on anythign else, and he is HIGH FUNCTIONING!!! Jett, if treated appropriately, would have had social skills training, however you may phrase it, and IEPS (special Education plans).
Are the district attorney's (or whoever is the one to look into something like this) doing anything? I suspect that because they are famous and they sheltered Jett and masked his disease, there was never an opportunity for anyone to reach out and help Jett...
I know this may seem harsh, but I truly feel for the parents loss. NObody should have to go through this; on the other hand, no child show have been shunned by a community based on a mental handicap. Who is standing up for Jett? Who had HIS best interest in mind and not their own image to uphold, (in my opinion, absurd), religious beliefs at heart?
We need to speak for Jett Travolta.