I’ve been meaning to write about this for a long time, but I guess I wasn’t mad enough.
John Travolta should have been outed, and not for being gay. His insistence that his son Jett, now dead at 16, wasn’t autistic has bothered me for years. Travolta has denied all talk of autism, even refusing to attend the premiere of his brother Joey’s film about autism.
Scientology does not accept autism as a legitimate condition. Instead, Travolta and his wife Kelly have militantly insisted that their son was afflicted with Kawasaki disease, a rare illness that usually lasts a few days and can be treated quite easily once it is diagnosed. It is rarely fatal and is not associated with any developmental disorder.
John Travolta has kept his son hidden from the public as best as he could, but his lovely and healthy daughter Ella has been photographed often, even at red-carpet events. When rumors of Jett’s autism hit the internet, Travolta’s wife arranged with a national magazine to have photos of her and Jett frolicking together at a beach. A nice PR move that only made it more obvious to people familiar with autism that the kid was autistic. See a recent video here, until it is mysteriously removed from the internet.
Why does this matter? Here’s why:
1. Jett Travolta was not allowed any services or intervention that could have made his life better. At 16, he remained non-verbal and was isolated from his peers. Neighbors of the Travoltas reported that Jett was left to watch videos all day and was not allowed to join the rest of the family at meals. He could barely hold a crayon.
2. Jett Travolta apparently had seizures, which can afflict up to 50% of autistic children. He should not have been left alone to take a bath. He had two caretakers with him in the Bahamas, and yet he died in a bathtub. At first, the police reported that Jett had last been seen the night before he was discovered dead at 10: AM. The story has since changed.
The real story of Jett Travolta will be covered up. Scientology is a force stronger than most investigative reporters. I am heartbroken for the loss of this boy, but his life for the last 16 years should have been better, and we don’t need an autopsy to know his death could have been prevented with more diligent attention from his caretakers.
Read a frighteningly prophetic mention of Jett Travolta here.
When I read this story, I thought something seemed rather amiss. How could a special needs child have been left unattended for hours before someone realized he had perished in a bathtub? And, I was under the impression that Jett was autistic (didn’t realize this was disputed). I didn’t realize that he had been denied treatment on the basis that it isn’t part of Scientology. Wow, if that’s the case, those parents are going to have to live with themselves and their cowardly, inhumane actions for the rest of their lives. This is a very sad story.
I can’t think of an institution I loath more than Scientology. I do hope that Trovolta and the “church” ARE outed (sued, arrested, shamed, perchance) for child, and other abuses. The “church” is a representation of logic lost and will surrendered (not to mention the tithing ten times over). It’s what all great writers, philosophers, and Devo have warned us about over and over and . . .
So, how many other children/adults, that are not famous, are subjected to this type of ignorance and abuse in the name of some awful sic-fi writer?
And I’m one that does not turn to meds as the first line of defense if I can help it; however, I would not turn up my nose to anything, let me repeat, anything, that would lead to a more meaningful, healthier life for my child or any child.
Fuck the cult of Scientology!
While I’m at it JWs are high on my “loath” list for almost the same reasons!
That would be very sad, indeed. I always wonder about religions that don’t allow people to seek necessary treatment. I had a co-worker whose mom died when he was 15 of a simple, treatable infection because she was a Christian Scientist, and his life was a total, utter wreck because of it.
so so sad. that boy could’ve had access to the very best, money’s-no-object leading edge treatment in the whole world. They could have had access to the brightest minds, educating themselves, raising awareness and helping a lot of other families along the way – what insanity. But you know the high ranking Scientologist lunatics are untouchable. Their version of the story will stick.
As soon as I heard this story I thought, “What’s the real deal?” What a sad story and an absolutely damning indictment.
the most depressing thing in the world is to think a parent ever gave their child negligent health care in the name of religion.
That is horrendous….
Awful just downright awful.
“Us: It’s been reported that Jett was left alone for several hours before being discovered. Can you clarify the timeline?
Ossi and McDermott: “Jett was not left alone. He had a nanny present at all times. The nanny was sleeping close to Jett’s room. There was a baby monitor, a chime on the door so it was known when Jett was going in and out. He was completely supervised. The nanny found him.”
A BABY MONITOR? FOR A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD?
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/family-lawyer-jett-travolta-may-have-died-in-fathers-arms/17139?nc
It’s heartbreaking to think that anyone would be “embarrassed” to appear in public with their own child because of a medical condition. And so sad that they were apparently too brainwashed by this cult to acknowledge it or seek any help.
Makes no fucking sense whatsoever.
This is just so sad! All of it. And that last article link was totally creepy to read!
Scientologists don’t believe in insanity – ironic, no?
..I meant that Jett’s lack of treatment was pue insanity.
Would the Travoltas have been ashamed to appear in public with their diabetic child? What about a diabetic child who took daily insulin via injection?
WHY OH WHY do people think that disorders that affect the brain are any different than those that affect the heart, lungs, liver, bowel, or bones? Mainly because the brain is not understood as well as other parts of anatomy. The disease mechanisms are far less distinct.
This is not a reason to pretend that the brain is immune from disease. “It’s all in your head” is not an answer; rather, it is an uneducated response to a situation one refuses to confront. Confronting afflictions of the brain is much more difficult than confronting a fractured femur.
Jett Travolta’s death is a terrible tragedy. More tragic is what he suffered during his lifetime because no one, not even his parents, wanted to do the hard work to give this kid as normal a life as possible. Maybe the old cliche “that something good may come out of a bad situation” will ring true here. Maybe some knuckleheads will wake up and realize that providing their kids’ medical treatment for brain disorders is just as important as treating their kids’ ear infections or tendonitis.
Scientology, like any cult, makes thinking for one’s self unnecessary. Take this crap up to Wasilla where the Palins and their church will welcome you with open arms. For those who would like to think for themselves, take care of your brains as well as the rest of your bodies!
May Jett rest in peace!
http://www.scientology-kills.org/bipolar.htm
To OMGGMAB, I would only disagree with you on one point. It is not an, “… it is an uneducated response…” It is a willingness to accept irrationality. Now if an individual accepts an irrationality yet does no harm to others might be acceptable.
But in this case, irrationality on the part of adherents to at minimum extreme goofiness, at maximum, willful knowledgeable neglect, killed a young child who, by every evidence manifested a recognized disorder – deserves the full weight of, if not the law then public humiliation.
Whether they would recognize such sanction is iffy.
HEADS UP!
The spin has begun, with Mr. Travolta’s lawyer (and close friend) proclaiming that the police report was wrong…and that the boy received “spectacular care” from two nannies.
Not just care, but “spectacular” care. This is show biz, right?
Further, the lawyer has changed the timeline, after admitting that he hasn’t yet spoken to either of the nannies. He covers for them by noting that it “wasn’t unusual” for Jett to sleep for 12 to 15 hours at a time.
So far, the police say they are sticking to their original report.
We’ll see how long that lasts.
Fuckers.
Just one more case in point that allowing anyone or anything to make decisions for you, lead you by a nose ring and claim to have your best interests in mind is a LIE. Cults cloak themselves in the guise of religion to draw in the vulnerable. They strip the individuals of their individuality and render them intellectually impotent thus making them unable to make rational choices and decisions for themselves. When does this become a crime? A child dying in such strange circumstances would bring in Child Protective Services in most cases. Why not now? Money, star power, influence? Scienctology needs to outed and people need to know how they brainwash the faithful. The results can be deadly.
Jett lived and died. Let’s hope his death will open eyes as to why this occurred.
I have to comment on the picture of the protesters. I loathe that type of mentality. Do any of those people have any idea what the world of a mentally ill child is like? Have they any idea of the statistics for the life expectancy of a child that has a mental disorder that is left untreated? While psychiatric medications may not be perfect and some are just out right horrible, without these medications many more children would be dead. Why not put your time, effort, energy, and money into good use and petition for the research and development of better medication, more funding for research to find the etiology behind these mental disorders/illnesses? Don’t waste time with a frickin’ poster – do something positive. I live it and know!
This whole thing is so tragic, and so wrong. There’s nothing else to say about it. Denying someone medical treatment in the name of religion is as graphic an abuse as any other. As Sonja said, that sweet boy could have had the best care money could buy, thereby having a better than good shot at a very fulfilling life. The saddest part is that his death will be in vain – no way the truth will come out on this one.
This is so very heartbreaking. I have to believe that the Travoltas are beyond devastated, as any parent who loses a child would be. Regardless of how they felt and acted regarding Jett’s condition this is the worst tragedy that any person can suffer. I have to believe these things; otherwise, the Travoltas would be the worst, inhumane monsters on the planet. Having said that….I’m not saying anything that hasn’t already been said here:
If the allegations are true and they denied, ignored, or believed that Jett’s condition did not warrant/require/deserved certain/any treatments then they are ignorant/immoral/misguided/misinformed and may have caused the boy’s death because of their affiliation with this cult. Granted, nobody except the members of the family, Jett’s doctors, and staff know exactly what was going on with that poor child. I’m sure most of us know at least one family affected by autism and are enraged by the lack of even “decent/good/acceptable” care that appeared to be afforded to Jett while our friends/families struggle to provide the best care that their money can buy. I say without hesitation that the people I know, if they had the kind of money that Travolta makes, would be spending all of it to find and provide cutting-edge treatments to their autistic child…and not on several luxury jets, etc.
This story makes me sad and completely disgusted.
SW – Yes, the textbook definition of “spectacular care” is “the process of caring for sb/sth and doing such a sloppy job that the person ends up dead.”
I was once persuaded to accept a night job as a caretaker for a sleeping respirator patient. Thankfully, I learned very soon what a spectatular caretaker I was, and that I was actually “taking care” of a person, so I quit the job. She’s still alive.
John Travolta has been outed for his wigs/toupés/hair pieces on an almost weekly basis for years, but not so much about his way of treating his son. It’s a sad reminder of what does and does not matter these days.
Why is Travolta still alive? He was all right in Pulp Fiction and somewhat bearable in Saturday Night Fever, but other than that, where’s the purpose?
For a really fascinating and scary perspective, check out this forum of ex-Scientologists on the subject of Jett Travolta’s death:
http://forums.whyweprotest.net/298-jett-travolta/what-scientology-will-probably-do-about-tragic-death-jett-travolta-35106/
Well done SW for getting this out. I just read that whyweprotest link and indeed it is scary. Almost as scary as the documentary I once saw on Clearwater Fla. It keeps me warm (in a good way) to think of L Ron Hubbard down in hell denying the existence of hell. RIP Jett, I knew nothing about you, but I know repressive fascists when I see them.
Kudos Sister.
Autism? The new religion?
Travolta is a pig. And so is that brainwashed whore he’s married to.