John Travolta Admits Son Jett Suffered From Autism
A still grieving (and rightfully so) John Travolta has been keeping a low profile these days, despite a major promotional push for his new film with Denzel Washington, Taking Of Pelham 1-2-3.
Travolta whose son Jett died January 2nd, while the family was vacationing in the Bahamas, has had a very rough time dealing with his son’s death, including taking a brief and solo hiatus to Tahiti a few weeks back simply to get away and grieve in private. No parent should ever have to suffer losing their child, and Jett who was only 16, was clearly very loved by his family.
In the wake of Jett’s death, there were many questions about the events which led to his untimely death, which is believed to have been caused by a massive seizure and possibly resulting injuries sustained during the attack. John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston are very public members of the Church of Scientology and unfortunately Scientology frowns on medications which are often used to treat ailments which might result in seizures.
Some critics of Scientology believe Jett suffered from autism, which can be a debilitating disease which often affects one’s ability to express emotions and communicate. A tragic side effect to autism are increasingly violent seizures which must be carefully controlled with anti-seizure medication. While the Travolta family at times did treat Jett with these life-saving drugs, they were likely pressured to avoid giving them to their son due to a very strict anti-psychotic drug policy within Scientology — which by the way, does not recognize autism as a “real” condition.
Until this latest document, exposed by the National Enquirer, the Travolta family had denied Jett suffered from the disease, and instead had stuck with a story they created years ago, which stated Jett was suffering from Kawasaki’s Disease. Those in the medical community have refuted their claims that Jett’s symptoms could be caused by this rare childhood virus.
Here’s what the NE found (photo of document included:
The ENQUIRER has obtained John Travolta’s statement to police, which reveals for the first time, in his own words, how he bravely battled to save his dying 16-year-old son. Jett.
The document is a dramatic never-before-seen minute-by-minute account of the crisis, in which the star appears to have done everything he could to bring his son back to life.
In the three-page document signed by Travolta, the Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 star acknowledges that his son was autistic.
The autism disclosure adds to the family’s previous claims that Jett suffered from Kawasaki disease, a rare illness that affects the blood vessels in young children. Travolta is a leading Scientologist, and Scientology doesn’t always agree with autism as a diagnosis.
Travolta divulged the details of Jett’s final minutes in an official interview with the Royal Bahamas Police at the Central Detective Unit in Nassau on Feb. 25.
None of this should surprise anyone who followed this story before and after Jett’s death, but it confirms a well-kept secret the Travolta family was likely pressured into keeping for all these years, quite likely from Scientology officials.
Or in other words, how can a high-profile celebrity Scientologist admit their child is suffering from a disease that doesn’t exist, and worse yet, how can they be allowed to effectively treat their child, when lower level members are told NO WAY to these live-saving drugs.
The Travolta’s are in a Catch-22 here, damned if they do, damned if they don’t. I also have a theory about some of what we are seeing happening to John. While this is only my theory, I feel pretty strongly about it.
There have long been reports about John Travolta being trapped in the cult because of secrets they may have relating to his sexual past which could, in theory, hurt his movie career. Because of Scientology’s firm hold on those in its grips, John has been forced to live a duplicitous life, including the treatment of his beloved son. I feel strongly that John is doing some MAJOR soul-searching and perhaps, dare I say, weighing his options.
If John left the cult, it might be a bit difficult at first, but he would likely find himself a real hero to the public, which is becoming increasingly aware of the abuses of Scientology. Sometimes losing a loved one, especially if you could have saved them, can cause a person to rethink their place in the world.
So John, if you are thinking of stepping off the bridge, but are afraid to, please don’t be. Whatever the CoS has on you is NOTHING compared to what they’ve done to you, and I can assure you the world outside will welcome you with open arms. Jason Beghe left, Nicole Kidman left and so can you. You and Jett are in our thoughts John.
(many thanks to the alert critic who sent me this story)
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imho John would recover his fan base if he turned away from scientology..I know I would return
for the rest of his days he will live with the pain of losing a child to a perhaps preventable event, he has my sympathy on that
Comment by Lacie — June 10, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
Maybe next John will admit to being gay, as well.
And then Tom Cruise can come out of the closet.
Comment by Anonamace — June 10, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
I agree with you that if John just came out and told the truth he would regain his fan base and the respect of the public. With this coming out now it’s all up to John. Don’t be a coward John.
Comment by inb4terryeo — June 10, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Bless you, John. I’ve always liked you, but wished with all my heart that you were not in the cult. Please, please get out..your fan base awaits you with open arms!
Comment by Kilia — June 10, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
That’s gotta be the most tragic thing ever. I hope JT really starts to rethink his devotion to that insane, monstrous cult, and start to wonder, if they lied about this, what else are they lying about?
Comment by Django — June 10, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
Awesome story Dawn.
I am angry at Travolta AND Kelly for picking the cult over their son all these years.
But I do hope he finds the courage to get out.
He can be a real hero, if he tells all.
He can write a book and make millions.
He can go speak at different places and make millions.
He can make a movie about his time in the cult and make millions.
He doesn’t need the damn cult for anything.
Comment by Queen — June 10, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
oh come on, seriously now? you have to block my comments? lame.
Comment by whatever — June 10, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
that one showed up but my other one didnt? ARGH I FAIL AT INTERNET TODAY.
Ok, revised comment
1) I am surprised at how hard this has hit him considering how the “church” views death as not a bad thing, what with the whole dropping the body stuff they believe in, how lron never “died” and all that stuff. i wonder if his trouble transitioning to this might influence his membership
2) esp since i remember tory mentioning that he’s tried to leave before
3) while i doubt the enquirer as a source, i wouldn’t be surprised if he somewhat believed the kid was autistic, esp since his brother was pretty involved in the autism community.
Comment by whatever — June 10, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Jett Travolta’s death was very horrifying to me. As a parent, I could not imagine finding a child like that, trying so hard to save them, failing, and finding little comfort in the words and actions of friends and family. I have some experience with the Scientologist approach to death, and it is very clinical. There is no crying, not much hugging, just celebrating a person’s life. That is fine for a wake, but there never is an acknowledgment of loss, which as humans, we can all feel on a visceral level. It just can’t be denied, which is probably why people can cry at a funeral when they did not even know the person.
I have seen photographs of John and Jett. He plainly was crazy about the boy. In paparazzi photos, John often would look defensive, jutting out his jaw. Those always made me sad, like he had anything to defend. I feel for him. I can ignore all of the Scientology issues, and just see a parent, in mourning, and likely inconsolable. My heart goes out to the man and I hope he finds peace, not a gloss over bromide.
Comment by P2 — June 10, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
The link to the national enquirer report doesn’t work for me.
Comment by Frederic — June 10, 2009 @ 8:23 pm
PLEASE blow, John. Nobody gives a crap if you are gay or not, and your fanbase will double overnight if you ditch that criminally convicted, human rights abusing, space-cult.
Comment by TEOS — June 10, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
Thanks for the report, Dawn. I wish Travolta would get out of Scientology, too. It sickens me to think that Scientology policies may have interfered with Jett getting proper treatment, for both his autism and his seizures.
Comment by Beth — June 10, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
I pray that JT takes the plunge and finds out what freedom there is outside Scientology. If our suspicions are correct, then John would find a monster load lifts off him when he is able to live consistently with his beliefs.
I hope Kelly wakes up too.
Comment by Heather — June 10, 2009 @ 11:03 pm
looks like the national enquirer have taken the page down, smells fishy to me!
Comment by fraser — June 10, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
It’s still there when I try it….
Comment by Beth — June 11, 2009 @ 12:57 am
[...] D Related Posts:Jett Travolta Died of a Seizure, Not Head TraumaJohn Travolta’s Son Jett Dies in [...]
Pingback by Celebrity Blog | Babelogs | Celebrity Gossip » Blog Archive » John Travolta Admits Son Jett Suffered From Autism — June 11, 2009 @ 2:22 am
We just need one of these celeb to ‘blow’ and the rest would follow Im sure, come on John, you owe it to Jet.
Thanks Dawn, that goodness that you still continue to report about scientology, all the others seem to have gone very quiet. Keep up the good work.
Comment by Concerned — June 11, 2009 @ 8:28 am
hoping that the travoltas are at last having their own epiphany. get off the bridge. you don’t need to jump, just walk away. many of us will be listening to whatever you have to say, and many will benefit. be honest to yourselves. the truth will set you free and perhaps this litigious, dishonest cult will come crumbling down. have courage, travoltas. as the previous poster said, you owe it to Jett and others whose voices have been taken away by the evil that is scientology.
Comment by mojo — June 11, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Travolta made it clear a long time back that he still believed in Scientology but did not agree with the policies of the present leader of the Church, David Miscavige. He was happy to let Tom Cruise take over as poster boy, only helping with events he felt he could support such as the Volunteer Ministers.
Asking him to give up his beliefs is the wrong approach. If he ever comes to the cognition that Miscavige like other psychotic dictators will allow Scientology to crash and burn rather than admit to error, that is when he might speak up.
Comment by Hartley Patterson — June 11, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
I’d like to have hope for Travolta, but after all, he’s also the 707-flying advocate for environmentalism Part of being a Scientologist is accepting outrageous contradictions. Unfortunately, separating from family, even by death, isn’t enough to pull most of them out of their Scilon-stupor.
But, now that he’s admitted to someone his son is autistic, who knows, maybe he’ll do the same about being gay. That’d be a good first step.
Comment by Ian — June 11, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
Whats a bit weird is that the interview is from 2 months after the death – and maybe this means that Travolta, after that time, finally accepted the truth?
But why is this interview 2 months after – could it be a part of the blackmail investigation (Travolta was blackmailed)?
Comment by Tilman — June 11, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
As long as he stays in the cult the truth about what happened and why will not be revealed. I think he’s a good actor and fortunately he is not as goofy about his belief as Cruise. He may be misguided and abused by scientology but I am sure one day he’ll find the strength to stand up to them and leave the cult and start life for real. Sadly that won’t give him back his son. Have the courage John. Your only enemies are not found outside the cult, they’re all around you, on the inside.
Comment by Sam — June 11, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Well, many of us with relatives with autism dicorders knew all along the child was autistic, so this is good to see. What I also get from the NE page doc is that Travolta didn’t lie to the police. That is a very good thing, too.
I’d like to see the whole document but the edition of NE was sold out in my area. Is is available anywhere else on line?
Comment by Mary McConnell — June 11, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
My son has autism.
This entire story.. it’s horrific. It makes me want to go blow them all away with a machine gun.
No wonder I have zero faith in humanity.
Comment by kristin — June 11, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
Dawn sweetie, I don’t know your rules, can I post this in answer to Mary? pic of whole doc here:
http://forums.whyweprotest.net/298-jett-travolta/glosslip-john-admits-jett-had-autism-47150/9/#post894588
Comment by Anonymous — June 11, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
I can see that John Travolta has a bit of a problem, if his dark secret has Joseph Fritzl proportions…
So, he cheated, when he was 19? So, he’s gay? So, he might even have hit a woman once? And so what.
Dear John Travolta, the real world is outside there. We’re ugly, fringy, we have psychiatric ailments, and we are not always nice to eachother. But we’re here, and we’re real, and we know of failure, and we accept mistakes, and most of all, we want you here because we think you’re a great actor, and you also seem like an awesome fella. Will you please give it another thought?
Comment by theblackscorpio — June 12, 2009 @ 1:19 am
Thank you ‘Anonymous — June 11, 2009 @ 10:59 pm ‘
That link went to page 6 of the thread but I found the complete doc posted by Patty ‘Pooks’ Pieniadz on page 5 at this link:
http://forums.whyweprotest.net/894588-post161/
Sure glad to read that whole statement. I think his Bahaman lawyer prepared it for him. No way would Travolta use the word “whilst’
I also suspect his people leaked it because that trial is coming up and word would have gotten out anyway.
Comment by Mary McConnell — June 12, 2009 @ 3:07 am
At last I managed to see this elusive document, thanks Anonymous, can we now hope this will cause ’something/anything to happen’, In my last post I was hoping John would blow, but if he doesn’t I fear what the cult will put him through, maybe thats why he was travelling around for a bit, so they couldnt catch him and drap into RPF, if he had any sanity left after the cult schooling ‘cough,cough’, I cant imagine his mind is any better now due to his grief, also hes got no hope with his wife being a cult member. Good luck John.
Comment by Concerned — June 12, 2009 @ 9:32 am
Sorry, but I think Travolta should be prosecuted for withholding needed treatment.
Comment by parvent — June 12, 2009 @ 1:41 pm
#28. Concerned….
Celebrities and publics never go on RPF, it is only for Sea Org members.
Comment by HA HA HA — June 12, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
AS a mother of a son with both autism and a seizure disorder I feel the Travolta’s pain and loss. Scientology does not acknowledge autism because the church or cult feels it is a psychiatric disorder and therefore a personal weakness or failure. It is a neurological disorder as well as immunological and gastrointestinal or Metabolic disorder. I wonder how they view Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders. My heart aches for the Travolta’s. I think they did what they felt best at the time and now they feel lied to, duped, and tricked and feel responsible for Jett’s death. As a mother of a sepecial needs child I always feel guilty for not being able to “take his pain away.” I am sure they are feeling htis 1000 fold. I hope they speak out against scientology and save the countless other special needs people that may subscribe to their ridiculous beliefs.
Comment by Marie — June 12, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
“A club is best. Tying him in the closet without food for a few days is fairly successful. The best recommended tactic, however, is simply to use a straight jacket and muffs on him until he is docile and imbecilic.” Child Dianetics, L. Ron Hubbard, Page 11″
Comment by Rachel — June 13, 2009 @ 9:20 am
Miss you, sweet lady.
Sulizano
Comment by Suli — June 14, 2009 @ 4:43 am
I lost my daughter in scientology years ago and immediately after I left the cult.I met John Travolta in Flag/Florida ,I really hope that the death of his son Jett will open his eyes and that he will leave also the so called “chuech”.
All his fans will be near him.
Comment by mapi — June 14, 2009 @ 11:12 am
I met jHON Travolta in Flag/Florida years ago.I also lost my daughter in scientology,she didnt wanted to be cured because the cult stopped her.I left the so called “church” immediately after.I really hope that Jhon will do the same to save Ella’s life.
For him will no be easy but he’s a strong man.
Comment by maria pia gardini — June 14, 2009 @ 11:16 am
One thing that really makes me angry though it Kelly’s insistence that Jets condition was caused by toxins. Who knows what hell she put him through trying to eradicate the space cooties. His condition may even been caused by her using pseudoscientific treatments during her pregnancy. Suri Cruise doesn’t seem too normal either and didn’t Katie take the Purif during her pregnancy?
Comment by Devon — June 17, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
Well guess what, if he was in a colt, then EVERY religion is a cult. I live in Mormonville, they are a cult, Christianity is a cult, everything is a cult. Don’t just point the finger at Scientology, which to me makes a hell of a lot more sense then the sh*t the person who wrote the bible came up with.
Comment by courtney — November 12, 2009 @ 5:00 pm