Would Jett Travolta still be alive if his parents weren’t Scientologists?
As information begins to trickle out about the circumstances surrounding Jett Travolta’s death, the inevitable questions have arisen about whether that death could have been avoided. And the number one question in that category is: if Jett Travolta was autistic, and his autism was left untreated because Scientology does not recognize autism as a condition, did the fact that his condition was left untreated factor into his death?
Scientologists believe that all mental illnesses are psychosomatic and that individuals with mental illness or neurological disorder are defective human beings. They teach that the only treatment for mental illness is spiritual healing – or, as Tom Cruise famously suggested for post-partum depression, vitamins – never drugs. They reject the very existence of autism as a condition, but sources close to the Travoltas (including Joey Travolta) have long insisted that Jett was indeed autistic – many forms of which are know to involve violent seizures such as the one that led to his death – and not suffering from the effects of exposure to Kawasaki Disease, as the Travoltas have claimed (a claim widely rejected by KD experts). The Travoltas have long been criticized for refusing to seek a diagnosis and treatment for autism for Jett when, according to many, he was so obviously in need of diagnosis and treatment.
The important thing at the moment, of course, is leaving the Travoltas in peace to grieve the loss of their son. But perhaps this tragedy could serve to remind parents to seek proper diagnoses for their children, even if such diagnoses tell them things that they don’t want to hear. Perhaps a life could be, could have been, saved.
Related:
John Travolta’s Son Dies
Interesting thoughts. The question I have is: Did the Travoltas try other medications after Depakote didn’t work?
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
I have to say, I am surprised there are not more sites questioning Jett
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?
Amen, Margie. You read my mind.
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?
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.)
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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
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.
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.