The first tragic celebrity news of 2009 came way too early as reports quickly appeared on Friday that Jett Travolta, son of actor John Travolta and actress Kelly Preston, died in The Bahamas over the New Year's holiday. Jett was only sixteen and I, for one, knew little about him--a testament to the way his celebrity parents wisely protected him from the limelight. My heart goes out to the Travolta family for their devastating loss. But now there are some pretty big gaps in the details surrounding Jett's death. Although the Travoltas have every right to remain private during this trying time, they could do a great service by coming out and explaining Jett's condition and the treatment they decided to use, since some will inevitably start speculating if Scientology is connected in some way to this tragedy.
I am extremely surprised at how delicately the media are tip-toeing around the very idea. But considering the fact that a seizure allegedly had something to do with Jett's death and that he allegedly also had a history of seizures, it is not too much of leap to begin wondering if Scientology's aversion to psychiatric drugs might be linked in some way to his medical issues, if in fact, Jett did have a mental condition and not just a physical one.
The Travolta family has only publicly acknowledged one serious medical condition in Jett's past--Kawaski Disease, a rare disease that primarily affects toddlers. But this wouldn't explain why a 16-year-old needed a caretaker or a nanny, as has been reported, or why it took so long to find him collapsed in the bathroom. All of this is in addition to rumors of untreated autism, which Scientology does not recognize as a disease.
I can only imagine that to have accusations hurled at your parenting skills when you are in the midst of mourning great loss is the last thing this family wants or needs. But at the same time, divulging information that could squash these rumors might give this family peace from endless future speculation.
If you'd like to post your own prayers for the Travolta family, you can visit our prayer circle here.
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MY PRAYERS TO THE TRAVOLTAS, MAY GOD EASE THERE PAIN.
Epilepsy isn't a mental illness in that it doesn't involve chemicals in the brain in the same way that depression, or schizophrenia, or bi-polar disorder involve chemicals in the brain. Brain chemistry is at the center of epilepsy, but the illness is a physical one, not a mental one -- which is to say, it concerns physical well-being as opposed to emotional well-being.
Shame shame shame to us all. Jett Travolta was a boy, a son to both Mister Travolta and Mrs Preston. There is nothing wroth then losing a child on this earth. Do you know they give you a lable, if lose a parent or spouse, but if lose a child you are not labe anything at all! I am Christian and i believe in only in one life to live, but six teen was barley blink of eye. I hope Jeff is with God and he is with his love ones that already past away. I hope so that God gives the Travolta the strenth to go on and realized life goes on. Go in God love Jett Travolta and be at peace with him amen.
Travolta's own home in Islesboro Maine where I live and fly for a hobby. I saw Jett many times on the island over a decade or so and I never, ever heard him speak a coherent word or sentence. If you said hello to him he would at best start laughing with no eye contact. most of the time he would yelp or make cat-like sounds. A yard man who worked on the property said a male nurse (ie:nanny) was always with him and that tutors were flown in for home schooling. I believe he had severe Tourette's syndrome, because he seemed oblivious most of the time. He also inhaled his food and heard on more than one occasion the food got stuck and almost choked him to death. A sad situation for the boy.
All I know is that as a human being to be able to see Jett and his sister with his parents,not as famous or rich, but just as parents that love unconditionaly as they have is what matters most. As a mother and grandmother my LOVE an RESPECT goes out to John and his family.
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