Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Roberta — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:38:23 GMT

Interesting thoughts. The question I have is: Did the Travoltas try other medications after Depakote didn't work?

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Ned — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:16:08 GMT

Margie you said: Maybe anti-seizure drugs will help, maybe they won't. Maybe a Hepatitis B vaccine when your newborn is 12 hours old will help, maybe it will cause Autism. Maybe Thimerosol in vaccines is deadly to some, maybe it isn't. It's no one's business but the parents. Parents have more of a right than the government or the "greater good" to make decisions for their children. This IS still American, is it not?

Good point, but now what would your view be if it turns out that the Travolta’s belief in Scientology kept them from getting their son the proper care? Now is that only the parent’s business or is that a form of child neglect? Is it American to refuse blood transfusions to children as Jehovah Witnesses believe? Do religious cults have the right to these type of practices? How odd that Religion (dictionary translation) The service and worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices 3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS 4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith. Has caused so much pain and death throughout the world.

Kimberly: thank you for the correction that Autism is a neurological disorder.

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Ned — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:50:46 GMT

I have to say, I am surprised there are not more sites questioning Jett’s death and the lack of care he may have received. Some say it isn’t any of our business. Why isn’t it? As compassionate human beings it’s in our nature to make sure we protect and help children. It seems as if we haven’t been given all the information on this child’s death. It was said the boy did not speak with indicative of Autism, so are the seizures. From what I read in the news he was having seizures once every 4 days and was not taking any medication but had in the past and was taken off of them because they were causing liver damage. If Jett was not getting the proper care due to the Travolta’s belief in Scientology and the cult’s non-belief in psychiatric drugs or acknowledgement of a scientifically proven mentally disability, Autism, than I do feel the Travolta’s are responsible for failure to provide their son with proper health care. What’s to be done about parents like the Travolta’s and religions like Scientology that dissuade parents for not seeking-out the proper health care? NO religion should reject modern medicine which no doubt probably could have saved this young man’s life. It’s too bad he was suffering for so long due to the ignorance of these two parents and their beliefs. With all the money that John Travolta has you would have thought he sought out the best medical doctors to put an end to these weekly seizures. When I hear the word Scientology I can’t help to think of Tom Cruise spouting out his ignorance on national TV regarding anti-depressants. This religion breeds stupidity. I agree with the weak-minded insecure comment. These type of people flock these type of cults.

So the million dollar question is, with the money the Travolta’s have DID they seek out the best medical care for their son? And the BIGGER question is, if Jett had been on seizure medication would this death of been prevented? And if the parents choice in not doing so was based on Scientology, well that’s something they will have to live with for the rest of their lives. How long are we going to allow religous sects like this control people?

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

ron hubbard — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:32:34 GMT

scientology killed the young man. jet was not given proper medical treatment because the parents' cult won't allow it. Mr. and Mrs. Travolta are cult members. Many have died because of the cult, when will the US government end the dangerous evil cult like Germany, France and Spain have?

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

merrymommy — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:20:34 GMT

Amen, Margie. You read my mind.

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Margie, mother of Danny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:20:50 GMT

Maybe anti-seizure drugs will help, maybe they won't. Maybe a Hepatitis B vaccine when your newborn is 12 hours old will help, maybe it will cause Autism. Maybe Thimerosol in vaccines is deadly to some, maybe it isn't. It's no one's business but the parents. Parents have more of a right than the government or the "greater good" to make decisions for their children. This IS still American, is it not?

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Kimberly — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:09:56 GMT

Catherine, I meant by far NOT the worst offender. NOT.

(I blame Hannah Montana for draining my braincells, and apologize profusely. Because you're not the "hysterical, handwringing, "think of the children!!!!" poster here.)

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Mamallama — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:56:47 GMT

I have read in many places that the Travolta's did give Jett anti-seizure meds for quite a few years but found that they lost their effectiveness. Whatever their reasons, I think we all find it hard to read stories like this being parents ourselves.

It is impossible not to think that we might have done something different if it happened to us but imagine if this did happen to us and everyone speculated that we contributed to our child's death. Ugh.

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Kimberly — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:33:44 GMT

Catherine, it wasn't just you. In fact, you're by far the worst offender here. I guess you were just the straw, eh?

I have no doubt that Jett Travolta was autistic. He's got all the signs--the toe walking, the 100 yard stare.....Without ever having met him, just the pics alone say it to anyone who deals with kids on the spectrum.

And Scientology may very well refer to it as a "mental illness." But...It's not. And while I in no way want to demonize or marginalize the mentally ill, I think it does a disservice to those on the spectrum to throw them on that particular heap.

I'd like to add, the Travoltas may never have allowed Jett to be labelled "autistic" (the Kawasaki Disease story is BS. And stupid BS to boot, as it is 100% not credible), but from everything that has been written about the routines and procedures they had set up for him, it sounds like they were doing their best by this kid according to their beliefs--much like JW will allow a heart transplant on the condition that no blood is used.

Finally....My comments about anti-seizure meds stand.

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

HerBadMother — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:58:22 GMT

Kimberly - I tried to report this story as non-judgementally as I could, given the fact that a) I do have some judgments about this, but b) believe that I should hold them in check to some extent during a time when sympathy should be foremost while c) still reporting stories for this website. So.

Also - we can debate DSM language for neurological disorders, or whether mental is a poor synonym for neurological and illness for disorder, but that's beside the point - Scientology refers to these as 'mental' 'illnesses'.

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Kimberly — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:34:09 GMT

You know what? I'm really, really tired of reading the "I'm judging them, but saying I'm not judging them" speculation going on about this story. On the one hand, you (and I'm talking the collective stroller derby team, here) talk about how horrible it is that the media is speculating etc during this difficult time; and then you go on and do the same thing. It's really kind of disgusting.

Also? Autism is NOT a "mental illness." It's a neurological disorder. There's a difference.

Further--do you have an MD? Do you have any idea as to the powerful side effects that come from anti-seizure meds? Many of them are worse than the actual seizures. The Travoltas are not the only parents to ever decide not to put their son on anti-seizure meds. If they even did.

The Travoltas have acknowledged the seizure condition. From all reports, the took all steps they could to create an environment in which his seizures would be manageable. They simply had bad luck--seizing and hitting your head on the toilet, resulting in death is NOT medical neglect. It's a freak accident.

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Joan — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:53:13 GMT

If these are the true facts than the brainwashing of that religion should be partially accountable. We are all to be held accountable for our own actions. My son had lukemia at 17 months old he went to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis. He lived to be 27 years old but he would still be living today but, because; of not calling St. Jude and listening to the incapable Dr.s in the city where I live my son would still be alive today. We do not know all of the facts in the case of Jett Travolta and until proper evidence comes in lets not point fingers. Thank you, New Awlins

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

Alice — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:07:40 GMT

Scientology, like all cults, preys on the weak minded and insecure. Hollywood is full of such types. Scientology did kill poor Jett. His dumb parents so willing to follow such silliness did not kill him either. It was just bad luck he was born into such circumstance. Poor kid.

re: Did Scientology Kill Jett Travolta?

kit — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:48:54 GMT

If he had an untreated seizure disorder then they are negligent for withholding medical treatment. Sure, this may be consistent with their faith, and he may have perished anyway, but it doesn't make them any less negligent.

What a horrible tragedy.