# John Travolta's Son Dies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 3, 2009, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648 "2009-01-03T00:12:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/121 "2009-01-04T19:57:16Z")
So if this had happened to a **non** -celebrity Scientologist family, how many folks would be saying that the religion _shouldn’t_ be considered as a possible cause for the death? Maybe I’m misremembering things, but it seems like whenever we’ve had a Pit thread where there’s been the _possibility_ of wrongdoing by parents, that led to a child’s death, folks haven’t been quite so vigorous in defense of the parents. Celebrities tend to have devoted followers, some of whom will remain quiet on _known_ negative aspects of said celeb, but the moment someone dares to _speculate_ on something negative, or repeats a common rumor (which has **never** been conclusively proven to be true or false), they will leap in upon posters screeching how the celebrity is being falsely accused and that the poster will bring down the wrath of the celebs lawyers any moment now for daring to suggest such a thing. (Mind you, this has **not** happened in this thread, but its happened in others. I mention solely for illustrative purposes on how we some times react to celebrity news, and **not** an accusation towards any poster in this thread.) ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/122 "2009-01-04T20:10:14Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > Why not save your displeasure for someone who shows some signs of being totally removed from reality? Who says I’m not? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/123 "2009-01-04T20:20:08Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > Wow. I hope you’re not really saying that it’s nobody’s business when a child dies from potential abuse and neglect. You’re not really saying that, are you? Because innocent parents get investigated all the time, when their children die under seemingly suspicious circumstances – it’s better to be safe than sorry. Why should the Travoltas be any different? Legitimate investigators of parental wrong doing do not publish that information in the media. If a doctor suspects abuse or neglect he can start an investigation, but the results of that, positive or negative, will not be made public. Ditto for child protective services. _They do not make it public_. In other words, the Travoltas could have been investigated _multiple_ times and we might never know it because the authorities do not publicize such things. It’s none of MY business - unless I see actual sign of neglect or abuse. NOT hearsay, not someone having a philosophical or religious dispute with someone. If someone has proof they should take it to the authorities. If someone _suspects_ they should take it to the authorities. Publishing it in a blog or tabloid is not the correct response to suspicions of abuse or neglect, nor are non-celebrities expected to make public medical information. It’s a double standard and it’s ugly. > [@](#): > > Proof? Of course there’s no proof…but there’s plenty of circumstantial evidence, which merits further investigation. Right. Then take it to child protective services, not the media. If CPS was called in and the Travoltas cleared then, barring new/additional informaton it’s just slander and libel. > [@Tuckerfan](#): > > So if this had happened to a non-celebrity Scientologist family, how many folks would be saying that the religion shouldn’t be considered as a possible cause for the death? Maybe I’m misremembering things, but it seems like whenever we’ve had a Pit thread where there’s been the possibility of wrongdoing by parents, that led to a child’s death, folks haven’t been quite so vigorous in defense of the parents. I disapprove of any kneejerk accusation of religion when a child dies. If, for example, I heard a Jehovah’s Witnesses’ child had had a seizure, fell down, hit his head, and died I wouldn’t _automatically_ attribute the death to JW beliefs. If the child had an arm ripped off in a horrific accident and bled out, that would be a different matter. If Jett had killed himself by, say, hanging or shotgun I’d certainly be considering the Scientologist view on mental illness but that’s not (apparently) what happened. I do not see a definitive like between his supposed cause of death and his parents’ beliefs. Until I do I will not blame their religion. If the autopsy report turns up _evidence_ of abuse or neglect that is also a different matter. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/124 "2009-01-04T20:48:34Z")
> [@](#): > > **KGS** : Who says I’m not? You are saying that Travolta seems totally removed from reality? Then the people who actually know him and enjoy his company must be totally removed from reality too. Everyone is wrong except you – is that it? Why are you so suspicious? Do you think all scientologists are alike? What did one ever do to you? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/125 "2009-01-04T22:13:42Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > The autopsy should determine whether or not Jett was taking anti-seizure meds at the time of his death. If he was, or if it’s determined that he accidentally skipped a dose (noting that the Travoltas have yet to prove their son was taking any medication at all, which they could easily do, if it was true) then what we’ve got here is a horrible, unfortunate accident and that’s the end of it. I think that you are misinformed about the nature of seizure disorders and the treatment of seizure disorders or the indications for treatment or nontreatment. With no knowledge as to the frequency and severity of his seizures or anything else about his past medical history other than by hearsay, not even those of us who actually do know something about seizure management are able to say anything about if he should or should not have been on medication. Meanwhile what circumstantial evidence do you have other than that there was a tragic death and that you despise the family’s religious identity? None. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/126 "2009-01-05T02:17:13Z")
Larry King Live has been discussing Jett Travolta’s death tonight. The family has released the information that Jett had a long history of seizures. He had been on medication that helped (apparently reducing seizures from 1 every 3 or 4 days to about 1 every 3 weeks or so) but as time went by the medication became less and less effective, until the seizure frequency was similar to before medication was started. Because of side effects and the potential for major organ damage he was taken off medication which was no longer helping him. Since that is, apparently, from information released from the immediate family I will accept taht as accurate. From what little I know of seizure disorders that’s not an unheard of situation and taking a person off medication that is no longer effective is entirely appropriate. Perhaps one of the doctors on this board might weigh in on that. Reportedly, John Travolta was giving his son CPR when the medics showed up. Losing a child is horrific. Losing a child you’re trying to save and having him die literally under your hands is just… I don’t have words for that. Mr. Travolta flew the family down to the Bahamas himself. He has stated he will _not_ be doing the flying on the way back home. Presumably a pilot will be hired unless a qualified friend steps up. That’s entirely appropriate and really a relief. Pilots should not fly when there has been a death in family, particularly not one so emotionally charged. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/127 "2009-01-05T02:20:13Z")
That account seems reasonable. Maybe **Qadgop the Mercotan** or another doc can step in and help us out WRT the medical questions… ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/128 "2009-01-05T02:28:31Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Larry King Live has been discussing Jett Travolta’s death tonight. The family has released the information that Jett had a long history of seizures. He had been on medication that helped (apparently reducing seizures from 1 every 3 or 4 days to about 1 every 3 weeks or so) but as time went by the medication became less and less effective, until the seizure frequency was similar to before medication was started. Because of side effects and the potential for major organ damage he was taken off medication which was no longer helping him. Since that is, apparently, from information released from the immediate family I will accept taht as accurate. Was Larry discussing that earlier in the show? Because he’s talking with James Carville about the Israel vs. Gaza conflict right now. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/129 "2009-01-05T02:30:12Z")
Yes, it was earlier in the show, just after the opening “this is what we’re going to talk about” intro. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/130 "2009-01-05T04:31:07Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I fail to see why Jett Travolta’s diagnosis should be _public_ at all. It’s no one’s business but his and his family. Whatever his medical condition he is as entitled to privacy as anyone else in this nation, and legally that shouldn’t be given out by anyone but his parents, himself, or someone like a lawyer deputized to do that. I don’t consider the media to be a reliable authority on these matters. Because they went out and made a big deal on various talk shows about organic carpet cleaners and how the chemicals in regular ones caused Jett’s illnesses etc. HOWEVER, as others have pointed out, the evidence for Kawasakis-the symptoms, and such do NOT add up. For the record, I don’t hate Travolta. I can’t stand Kelly Preston, but I always liked John. (Tom Cruise, on the other hand…) My heart goes out to them, and I can’t imagine the pain they are going through. HOWEVER…IF he had autism, and IF they were not getting him proper treatment, that’s not right. As for his seizures-medication can only control and lesson them-they can’t entirely eliminate seizures. I would also imagine that the “purification run-down” treatment might lower the threshhold for an attack. IF, just IF, they were not giving him seizure meds, THEN they deserve to be tarred and feathered. However, that’s only speculation, and from what I’ve heard, he was on some kind of medication. (And again, that doesn’t entirely prevent one from having seizures-it just makes them not as frequent) (To be fair, not taking Jett out in public-could it have been possible that he might not have been able to handle large crowds and all the commotion very well?) ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/131 "2009-01-05T05:59:03Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > That account seems reasonable. Maybe **Qadgop the Mercotan** or another doc can step in and help us out WRT the medical questions… Pediatrician stepping up. Usually a single med failing would not be reason to accept living with a seizure frequency of every few days. But there are certainly many cases in which the side effects of the medications are bigger than the benefits that a seizure medication protocol brings and in those circumstances going without medication is a reasonable decision to make. Few people actually die having a seizure; this particular tragedy is very uncommon. BTW, Jett may have had Kawasaki disease but having long term neurologic morbidity from Kawasaki disease is not something I can even find mentioned in the literature. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/132 "2009-01-05T08:51:06Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I fail to see why Jett Travolta’s diagnosis should be _public_ at all. It’s no one’s business but his and his family. Whatever his medical condition he is as entitled to privacy as anyone else in this nation, and legally that shouldn’t be given out by anyone but his parents, himself, or someone like a lawyer deputized to do that. I don’t consider the media to be a reliable authority on these matters. Kelly Preston went public with it voluntarily several years ago. Their family lawyer alsomade a statement two days ago saying he had Kawasaki disease which is what gave him the siezures (Scientology doesn’t recognise autism). She claimed he contracted Kawasaki from carpet cleaner (which no actual study has proved) and that they were treating him with Purification Rundowns. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/133 "2009-01-05T10:21:07Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > That is so _wrong_!!! OK, I don’t get it, what is Xenus? ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/134 "2009-01-05T13:50:41Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > OK, I don’t get it, what is Xenus? The core belief of Scientology is that 75 million years ago an evil galactic warlord named Xenu gathered up all the bad guys in his galaxy, brought them to earth, dumped them into volcanos and then set off H-bombs to kill them. Tough luck for the human race, instead of dying they blasted into the atmosphere in a megazillionillionillion pieces and are still there today. They, called “Body Thetans,” constantly rain down on earth like a fine invisible mist and attach themselves to everybody. They’re the source of all the bad things that happen. Lucky us though, because Scientology can help with that! Of course, it costs lots of money to get rid of them, and then, once your present body is free of them, you have to start getting rid of the ones that infected your previous lives (oh, btw, Scientologists conveniently believe in reincarnation). That costs lots of money too. In fact, however much money you have conveniently determines how many past lives you have had and therefore how many _more_ body thetans you have to get rid of. Ok, it’s a tad more [complicated than that](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenu), but not by much. Basically, Xenu is the Scientologist’s devil. Most Scientologists won’t learn about Xenu and the silly volcano story unless they’ve been in for quite a while, have spent lots of money, and are sufficiently brainwashed to swallow the load of hooey. Or unless they watch South Park. The joke “I heard Xenus today, oh boy” was a riff on the Beatles song. Good one too! ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/135 "2009-01-05T14:54:35Z")
> [@TwistofFate](#): > > Their family lawyer alsomade a statement two days ago saying he had Kawasaki disease which is what gave him the siezures (Scientology doesn’t recognise autism). Autism does not cause seizures, in and of itself. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/136 "2009-01-05T16:31:00Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > After reading your post I have to ask you if you think that’s the reason for the baby monitor in his bedroom? When I first read that it gave more credence to the idea he had autism but maybe that’s also part of the seizure thing. In this case would think that it would lend more credence to the idea that there was a co-morbid issue that required monitoring in places other than just “dangerous” ones like the bathroom or kitchen. However, the recent news that his seizures had increased in frequency and he wasn’t on medication due to side effects also points to a need for a closer eye being kept on him. So the answer, I guess, is: both. My niece- and the kids we have at work who have seizure disorders- don’t have baby monitors with them at all times, but I know that my sister checks on her pretty frequently at night, and our staff at work is more aware of where the SD kids are and what they’re doing. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/137 "2009-01-05T18:48:39Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > HOWEVER…IF he had autism, and IF they were not getting him proper treatment, that’s not right. Right. IF the kid had autism, which is nowhere proven. I get really cheesed off at people who think they, with no medical or psychological training, can watch 5 minutes of video and go “There! That movement! The way he looks at his hand! That PROVES he has autism!” No, folks, other things can cause some of the problems the kid exhibited. There are also reports that Jett held hands, gave spontaneous hugs and demonstrated affection on his own initiative which is NOT indicative of autism, quite the contrary. And, to top it off - what, exactly, IS “proper treatment” for autism? I was not aware that there was a definitive treatment for that disorder, or even a collection of treatments, just many suggestions, theories, and controversies. > [@](#): > > As for his seizures-medication can only control and lesson them-they can’t entirely eliminate seizures. I would also imagine that the “purification run-down” treatment might lower the threshhold for an attack. On what do you base that opinion, that the “purification run-down” would exacerbate epilepsy? > [@](#): > > IF, just IF, they were not giving him seizure meds, THEN they deserve to be tarred and feathered. However, that’s only speculation, and from what I’ve heard, he was on some kind of medication. (And again, that doesn’t entirely prevent one from having seizures-it just makes them not as frequent) Let me get this straight - if the medication is no longer helping him, and it is causing side effects _he should take it anyway?_ Why? To make _other people_ feel better? Continuing to give a medication that is not helping and causing serious side effects is just as abusive as denying medication that can help. Supposedly one of the anti-seizure drugs they tried was depakote, which among the side effects listed are vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, dark urine. liver damage, unusual bleeding (especially in the urine), hallucinations, and complete drowsiness. Gee, maybe some of his “unusual behavior” was due to being zonked-out and hallucinating? Maybe we should just continue to give him this drug even when it’s no longer helping control his seizures, his liver be damned, _just to be doing something?_ Sometimes the worse part about dealing with a disability is realizing that, really _nothing can be done,_ there is no drug, no treatment, no surgery, no therapy that will make it better, much less cure it. > [@](#): > > (To be fair, not taking Jett out in public-could it have been possible that he might not have been able to handle large crowds and all the commotion very well?) I’m not sure “not taking him out in public” is the right way to look at it. I’ve seen videos and pictures of the family, including Jett, in places like Paris and at restaurants. Clearly, they _did_ take him out in public. But as you point out, he may not have been able to handle crowds and certain situations in which case it is _entirely_ appropriate that his parents shield him from those situations. > [@TwistofFate](#): > > Kelly Preston went public with it voluntarily several years ago. Their family lawyer alsomade a statement two days ago saying he had Kawasaki disease which is what gave him the siezures (Scientology doesn’t recognise autism). She claimed he contracted Kawasaki from carpet cleaner (which no actual study has proved) and that they were treating him with Purification Rundowns. Just because his mother was willing to discuss medical issues several years ago does not obligate her to continue to cough up medical information to the media, or anyone else. Yes, we all know Scientology doesn’t recognize autism exists. That doesn’t mean he has autism, and even if he did, his autism did not cause his seizure disorder. It is possible to have more than one medical problem at the same time. The fact that some seizure medications can _also_ cause abnormal behavior just further muddies the issue, doesn’t it? All that is known for sure is that the kid had some form of epilepsy and also some sort of abnormal development or behavior to go along with it. Attributing this to carpet cleaners and/or Kawasaki syndrome isn’t that different than parents attributing autism or allergies to vaccinations. When your kid is messed up you want to know why, and if the doctors can’t tell you it’s nothing unusual to draw your own conclusions whether they are right or wrong. Even so, that doesn’t mean a parent is neglectful or abusive if they have wrong ideas about how the kid came to have a problem. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/138 "2009-01-05T20:14:16Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I get really cheesed off at people who think they, with no medical or psychological training, can watch 5 minutes of video and go “There! That movement! The way he looks at his hand! That PROVES he has autism!” No, folks, other things can cause some of the problems the kid exhibited. On this point, at least, we can agree. However, it’s clear from watching those pictures and videos that SOMETHING was amiss with Jett. 17-year-old teenage boys simply do not act like that. Can’t say if it’s autism, or Down’s Syndrome, or brain damage caused by illicit Scientology treatments…but clearly, something was wrong. > [@](#): > > There are also reports that Jett held hands, gave spontaneous hugs and demonstrated affection on his own initiative which is NOT indicative of autism, quite the contrary. Bullshit, bullshit, utter bullshit! Children with autism commonly display brief moments of connection – not all of them, but many do. That’s what makes the condition so agonizing for the parents, because it’s as if they are _capable_ of connecting with people, but their minds are trapped within a maze and they can’t find their way out. If you had ANY knowledge or experience with autism, you would know that already. > [@](#): > > And, to top it off - what, exactly, IS “proper treatment” for autism? I was not aware that there was a definitive treatment for that disorder, or even a collection of treatments, just many suggestions, theories, and controversies. There’s no single treatment for autism. [Behavior modification therapy](http://www.neurologychannel.com/autism/treatment.shtml) seems to be the most effective, plus occupational therapy and [communication therapy](http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/419300/intraverbal_communication_therapy_in.html). There’s currently NO medication to treat autism (at least, not yet) and there’s certainly no “cure”; and yes, there’s lots of controversial “snake oil” treatments. The syndrome itself is a mystery. However…there are options, but these options do no good if the parents don’t recognize their child has the syndrome in the first place. _Especially_ if the parents are misguided by a religion that claims such syndromes DO NOT EXIST – which, as previously established, is Scientology’s mantra. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/139 "2009-01-05T20:55:27Z")
Absolutely. Yes, yes and yes. ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648/140 "2009-01-05T21:42:29Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Ditto. My sympathy to John Travolta and his family. I’ve liked him since he played Vinnie on “Welcom Back, Kotter” and in any number of films from “Saturday Night Fever” to “Pulp Fiction.” I don’t factor his religion into his acting and don’t concern myself with how others perceive his lifestyle. He is a human being and he and his family deserve my sympathy for their tragic loss. Well said. > [@Salem](#): > > Autism isn’t fatal. Treating or not treating it isn’t going to prevent or cause death. Seizures are not a symptom or result of autism, either - two separate disorders that can occur in the same person with different treatments. Regardless, if you don’t know, if you weren’t there, haven’t read or don’t have any real knowledge, then please don’t make uneducated assumptions. A family lost their 16 y.o. child in a tragic accident. Do they really need to be ripped apart further? Totally agree. > [@Elenfair](#): > > Look – Scientology may be the root of many evils, but what happened here’s a tragedy or a very human, very real family. > > I work with “celebrities”, day in, day out. Like 'em, love 'em, hate 'em… they have their quirks, they deal with their celebrity as best they can, really. Some better than others. Travolta is generally well liked. He _is_ a family man, as far as I know. I can’t help but think this is a huge blow to someone. > > It’s not our place, really, to pass any judgment. Face it, we know squat. Our horses are mightily high, though. > > All I know is that I’m terribly sorry for the family. Losing a kid has got to be one of the hardest things to live through. Having to grieve publicly, and with people judging your every move along the way, has got to make it about a thousand-fold harder. Excellent excellent post. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > There’s just about as much wackiness surrounding Autism as there is surrounding Scientology. > > And this intolerance towards Scientologists is getting out of hand. You can dislike the church, you can hate its practices and think it’s a scam. But hating the believers of the church crosses a line. People believe in all kinds of things for all kinds of reasons. Intolerance against scientologists is starting to look disturbingly similar to intolerance against Jews or other people with ‘different’ beliefs. > > As for Travolta, he’s always had my respect. He comes across as someone who doesn’t let his celebrity go to his head, and he is an extremely well respected pilot, in a way that many celebrity pilots are not. Hell, Quantas was willing to type rate him in a 747 and let him fly a scheduled run. That’s a pretty impressive feat for a pilot who is not flying full time for an airline. > > Travolta takes flying very seriously - he does his recurrent training, he does emergency training, he flies carefully. He flies extremely difficult, dangerous airplanes like 50’s era fighter jets. One time he had a full electrical failure in a Cessna Citation jet in instrument conditions, and he managed to do a barnstormer spiral down through a hole in the clouds to get below the cloud deck, then he hand-flew the airplane into the nearest airport and landed safely. That’s some impressive flying. He seems to approach most things in his life the same way, and I have no doubt that he tried to give his son the best care he could. The family deserves the benefit of the doubt. Another gem. > [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > Just chiming to add that the “article” posted is bullshit. **Broomstick** provides a fine rebuttal. We’re supposed to give credence to some restaurant owner who met the Travoltas? And from what I can surmise of the “article,” it doesn’t appear that the restaurant guy met them more than once - which, of course, is the first question that a real reporter would ask before giving any ink to this story. If you read the link, you’ll see that the beef with the restauranteur is that the Travolta’s haven’t participated in fundraisers they’ve held for autism. > > If anything, this thread has helped me gain a great deal of respect for the Travoltas, regardless of their religious beliefs. For someone in the public eye as much as the parents, they’ve seemed to keep a low profile, and as others have said, Travolta’s not like Cruise, a Scientology mouthpiece. Truth be told, I can’t ever recall him speaking on any issues concerning Scientology in recent memory. > > It troubles me that people’s first thoughts are that the Travoltas were somehow neglectful and their actions led to their son’s death, when there is no evidence to even suggest that this is the case. 100 % agree. I just read this thread today because the Travolta’s situation hits way too close to home for me. As some of you may be aware, my oldest son died just over 2 years ago. Unfortunately I know all to well the pain and anguish they both are feeling. I can only imagine the horror of having to do this in the public eye though. The cruelty of some people, or just the thoughtless stupidity makes me sick. For fuck sakes, they are just two human beings that lost a beloved child, show some respect and just a bit of class. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-travoltas-son-dies/479648.md?page=8)