Just broke in on the tv, that John Travolta's 16 yr. old son had a seizure and could not be revived. He was at the family's vacation home - forgot where.

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John Travolta's Son Dies - TMZ.com

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

How sad.

I just read this, too, and I was so shocked, and saddened. They were vacationing in the Bahamas. Their son had a history of seizures. I had no idea you could die from a seizure.

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How very sad.. and Jett looked just like John too!

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Am I reading the TMZ report correctly, that he was last seen going into the bathroom yesterday, found dead in there at 10am today????

So very very sad.

My cousin died of a seizure 3 yrs ago, he was olny 27. There are many different forms of seizures. A good information site is MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Seizures
I feel for the Travolta family.

Omg I am sooooo sad I just turned on my computer and saw this story, I know I read somewhere before that he Jett perhaps suffered from a form of autism , I am totally shocked and so sad for this family. John Travolta was such a sweet sincere person. A sincere prayer for the whole family, no one should ever know the lost of a child....Peace. Catherine

I am also sad. I really like John Travolta. Anyone else find it odd that he was last seen going into the bathroom yesterday and they didn't find him until this morning? That seems so strange.

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Eileen

**Some people are like Slinky's, not really good for anything, but you can't help laugh when you see one tumble down the stairs**

I am just seeing this now. How terribly sad for the family; very sorry to hear this.

I had read a few times that there was speculation that their son was autistic.
If true, one would think that Jett wouldn't be alone for very long periods of time, as reported. If it is true that Travolta's son was autistic, he really could have done wonders for autism awareness, instead of keeping it private.

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Very sad! I remember when he was born. Sigh it feels almost like a distant family member lost his son.

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Kindly correct me if I am wrong however I remember reading several times that his wife Kelly Preston believed that their son suffered from another disease that she believed was caused from household chemicals, but then I remember reading that there was rumors that Jett suffered from autism and then there were reports that because of their religion they ignored it. I do not know if all these are facts. However needless to say this is truly truly sad for any parent. My heart goes out to this family...Peace. Catherine

kawasaki disease or something like that

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yes it was believed kawasaki disease was from carpet cleaning chemicals. It is very very sad that this happened. Whatever it is that happened to him a child's death is terrible.

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In some seizures, people fall. They said he hit his head. He probably died from a head injury.

Yes, I heard that right after I typed my post. So sad, and to another poster's comment, yes, I find it odd he went in the bathroom on Thursday, and was not found until Friday. I mean, I know he was 16, but, I would still need to see him before we all went to bed. That's just me, tho.

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From what I've read, the Travoltas said it was Kawaski disease from carpet cleaning, but there's apparently no scientific evidence to link the disease to that. I have also heard the unconfirmed rumors that he was autistic.

Knowing the disdain Scientology has towards traditional medicine (remember
Tom Cruise's rant against it?), I can only hope that that poor boy was actually getting whatever medical treatment he needed.

Very, very sad for the family.

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We should all be focusing on their loss, not all the religious beliefs, what was wrong with Jett, and how they treated their medical issues. The most impt thing is they lost a child.

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Of course, the tragedy of losing a child is paramount. Has anyone disputed that? Not at all -- all are expressing their deep sympathy for the family.

However, I expect those of us wondering about Jett's medical problems are not the only ones who wonder if that child received the treatment he should have. The antagonist practices of Scientology towards the medical profession are well known.

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I heard that because of their 'religion' they did not medicate him for the seizures.
If this is true, I have just lost a lot of respect for a man that I had always admired.
Too sad.

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Depending on the cause and severity of his seizures, medication is not always used. It may not necessarily have been a "religious" choice to not medicate him for the seizures.

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Nicole

ummm....if they KNOWINGLY did not seek out and provide the even the most fundamental of medical care because of their religious beliefs, then in essence it's their fault he's dead.

If he had a seizure disorder and they chose not to medicate him? Then they are guilty of murder, IMHO. If he had a heart condition that went untreated because of his parents religious beliefs, then the parents are guilty of murder.

A death of a child is horrific, but even more tragic is if the death could have been prevented by modern medicine.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Why is religion in quotes?

My guess is because many think scientology is pretty out there...

I found this online googling. We all know what Tom Cruise thinks about meds!!! lol I sure hope this is not a case where Jett should have been on meds but wasn't. That would make this situation so much worse.
What does Scientology say about medical drugs?

In public statements, especially to newcomers, Scientology claims that medical drugs are fine and says there's no problem with Scientologists taking drugs prescribed by a physician.

However, in materials presented by Scientology front group Narconon, they claim that all drugs are poisonous and remain in the body permanently - claims that are thoroughly discredited by modern science.

Psychiatric drugs are seen differently: Scientology forbids the use of all psychiatric drugs, and works to prevent non-Scientologists from using them as well. Scientologists are vehemently opposed to all forms of psychiatry - not just for themselves, but for everyone.

Although Scientology publicly states that they don't interfere with individual Scientologists taking prescribed medication, several former members have reported being told to stop taking prescription drugs and suffering negative consequences if they went ahead and kept taking them. Since these drugs were prescribed for serious medical conditions, including epilepsy and Grave's disease, these individuals were at serious risk if they stopped taking the medication.

Finally, Scientology claims that taking aspirin interferes with forming mental images, so participants are forbidden from getting auditing for 24 hours after taking aspirin

Just because within the church of Scientology there are beliefs or protocols of this nature doesn't mean this family chose to practice that way. I know plenty of people who don't follow the beliefs or protocols of their respective ideology to the letter. I think it is in poor taste to speculate or imply that the parents were the cause of this death base solely on their religious convictions. None of us lived in that house or even knew the family, let alone could know what their doctors told them or what was or wasn't in their medicine cabinet.

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I'm not trying to imply anything in the boys death. I think with Tom Cruise's well known rant againt meds based on his Scientology beliefs it makes a person wonder if that's part of the belief system. John Travolta and his wife have been following Scientology for years. They have a son with medical problems. It's not a leap to wonder if they did or didn't use medications IF they were needed. They appear to be extremely good and loving parents.

Actually, one can reasonably assume this particular family chooses to follow the tenants of Scientology to the letter. John is one of Scientology's strongest supporters and has given millions of dollars to the cause. He is reportedly on one of their highest levels and when the spaceship comes for the Thetans, John will be one of the first to board.

I'm not implying that they did anything wrong or that their son's death could have been avoided because I don't know. I do know that John is a Scientology fanatic and that Scientology doesn't recognize epilepsy or other seizure related disease because it's against their beliefs. You can't blame people for questioning whether John followed those beliefs since he's one of Scientology's most vocal supporters. It's more than a reasonable question, much more reasonable than your defense of someone you clearly don't know much about. John Travolta isn't a casual observer of Scientology. He's a true believer and the church has his significant donations to prove it.

I'm sorry for their loss and I really hope that their religious beliefs didn't contribute to the death of their child. I think that would be a terrible burden for grieving parents to bear.

I'm wondering if, when religious beliefs prohibit certain medical treatments, do parents question those beliefs if a child dies? Or do they just take it as a "sign" from whomever is their deity of choice? Do those parents think if they just "prayed harder" or "sang louder" or "tithed more", etc.? I'm just thinking aloud, so to speak.

I hope that if any child was sick the parents would seek whatever medical care and treatment they could. Losing a child would devastate me (personally). I can't imagine if I had knowingly chose to not seek out whatever medical treatment I could have.....

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From the pictures I saw today inside my paper of the last suppossed picture of the entire family, John Travolta is walking holding his 16 year old sons hand and from the look on Jetts face you can clearly tell something is not right. I sincerely also hope and pray that if their child did suffer from autism and needed medication and was not withheld. Like the other poster said about Tom Cruise and how he attacked Brooke Sheilds for taking medication for postpartum depression, I again sincerely hope and pray this was not the case. If they did withhold medication because of their religious beliefs that I am totally againist it. But I truly cannot comment until further facts are presented. Finally this no matter what is a any parents worse nightmare.Peace. Catherine

I know precious little about Scientology, and everything I've seen tells me it is hokey to the core.

But Marilyn, while I do understand what you are saying, for those who don't think of earth as the "final destination", whether their child lives or dies on earth before what would *seem* to be their time is not their greatest concern.

Stupid example here... but think of the old Mario Nintendo games. Your goal is to save the princess, and you do that by getting from one level to the next. There are hidden things that allow you to skip over many levels and be closer to your goal. If you jump past those levels, you miss out on a lot of opportunities to accumulate things you might want, and you miss a lot of fun, so for some, using those hidden elements to get to the goal faster is just wrong.

For others, though, who are truly worried about the Princess, they could care less about whether or not they get extra flower power shooter things or the little "P" that will let them fly over stuff. If they can get to the Princess and save her, well, that's more important than anything they were going to do in any of those other levels. In fact, because they are the path *to* the Princess is the reason those levels exist in the first place.

Mariog going straight to the Princess might make Luigi sad if he got left behind, but ultimately, Luigi knows the goal is getting to the Princess, and he hopes to get there himself, and soon!

Can you tell what my kids have been playing over the break? lol

Bottom line... if Scientology believes that what happens *after* life on earth is more important or more lengthy or more *whatever*, and that the way they conduct themselves here determines whether or not they get to go *there*, and they believe giving meds to their child will keep all of them from getting to the next 'level', I can understand completely why they would withhold meds. I am really conflicted as to whether or not they should have that legal right when the person not getting the meds is under 18 and not able to speak for themselves. I do know that I don't want government interfering with religion. I just don't know where the line should be drawn.

The son, from what we know, didn't suffer from a life-threatening condition. His death was apparently the result of a fall that may have happened because of his condition, or he may simply have slipped in the bathtub because it was slippery.

I can not believe how judgemental some of you are. Can we not just pray for the family that has lost a love one? My prayers go out for the Travolta family.

I don't think anyone is judging on here. I think they are speculating, which is very common when an unfortunate event occurs, especially under usual circumstances. I also think it's a coping mechanism for parents ie I don't follow the no meds rule so hopefully nothing bad will ever happen to my child. I haven't read anything particularly mean on here and I have read lots of notes of sympathy. I have been praying. I'm not judging but I am curious.

Can someone please translate?


Rebecca

I'm sorry, what language? Do you not speak English?

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Reading is Fundamental.

I would like it translated INTO English, please.

Rebecca

Really, do you have to start this kind of garbage? What does it accomplish except to show what kind of person you are?

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Reading is Fundamental.

I was hoping to understand that particular part of her post. Was I not clear? If you understood it, please clarify.

Rebecca

Careful up on that pedestal. It's a long fall down.

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Reading is Fundamental.

now, now....quit picking on truble and/or one of her friends. Goodness knows what she says is beyond contestation

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Some things never change...LOL..but could y'all stop this quoting biz or you defeat the ignore feature!

cj

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I can think of many reasons I wouldn't administer anticonvulsants to someone who has seizures. Especially a child. There are many side affects of these drugs. He doesn't look like he drives or has social pressure of peers who would shun him if he were to have a seizure while out with them. The odds of falling and cracking his head might have been incredibly slim when compared to the side affects of taking daily medication. We have no idea of his medical history.

Quality of life is just as important as quantity, IMHO.

She is saying it's any parent's worse nightmare to have a child die.

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If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

Now, if one believes what is on TMZ.com, Jett had some other medical/developmental problems and the family did medicate w/ dilantin for a while. But, as sometimes happen the medication became ineffective.
I do agree with quality over quantity. If the treatment causes worse side-effects than the disease, sometimes the treatment just isn't worth it.

I will say that off celebs and their children--Travolta and his wife seemed to really protect and value privacy for themselves and their children. I have always thought more celebs should take a page from the Travolta family book.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I don't log in here often, nor do I post here often. However, I totally understood what Catherine wrote. No translation is necessary.

I know from experience what the Travolta's are feeling. We lost our only son, 3 years ago. It is beyond anything I could ever put into words. Most people say that they are "sorry for your loss", or "I could not imagine". No, you certainly could not imagine. Prior to our son dying, I also would say the same thing to people who had lost their child. It was not until I had experienced it myself, that I could not even begin to understand what they were feeling.

The National Psychiatric Institute states that losing a child is the single most catastrophic stressor in a person's life. It is something you live with each and every day. It never goes away, and it is a life long journey to find the "new normal". They say that time heals all wounds. This is one wound that never heals. Only it is easier to deal with on a day-to-day basis. But, it's always there, the pain.

I read online that the Travoltas are heartbroken, in shock, and their lives will never be the same. Very true and I can relate to that. The second year is actually harder for many. It is through faith, love, and going through the grief journey, that a parent is able to proceed through daily life of dealing without your child.

My heart and prayers go out to the Travoltas.

Those of you who are reading this and wondering if *I* am who you might think I am (from another board almost 2 years ago), the answer is yes. My grandkids are doing fantastic and my daughter is now a partner in a firm. However, my husband has been diagnosed with Stage IV, Aggressive Non Hodgkins Lymphoma from Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. He is doing chemo, but it does not seem to do much of anything. We just take it all a day at a time.

Yes, it would be any parent's worst nightmare to lose a child. The original sentence was not making any sense whatsoever this morning but now that I read it again and added commas in my head, it makes more sense to me. Thanks for your help.

Rebecca

Not all medication controls seizures. My dh has been on various meds and still has seizures. It is finding the right combination that truly controls them or surgery. My dh went from having four to ten a day to two or three per week. So right now we have a pretty normal life, but I have to watch for signs of a coming seizure.

I suspect that if the members were allowed psychiatric drugs they would abandon the religion once they started taking them. So it's certainly in their self-interest to keep their members off those type of drugs.

Rebecca I assume sometimes I type to fast and all I was trying to say was no matter what, this truly has to be a parents worse nightmare losing a child, I could not for one moment even imagine the thought. I sincerely hope they find the true cause of this innocent 16 year old child early tragic death. Peace to all in the New Year . Catherine

I'm so sorry for your loss and your husbands illness. God willing my two sons will outlive me and I cannot know how you feel but I know that I would absolutely never be the same if I lost one of my children. I still suffer from the sudden loss of my dad when I was a teenager and I'm 52. There's just no closure with a sudden loss like that. My sympathy to you on the loss of your son. God bless you and your family.

I read on another site that they did give him Dekopte (sp) for a year but it was giving him severe side effects. They pretty much had 24/7 care for him. It said his nanny slept in the same room (male nanny) and that he did have a seizure and the nanny heard it and help was called. It also said he had seizures approx. once a week. That's so sad. What a hard life for Jett and his family.

Bless this family and what they are going through right now. My heart goes out to them.

Glad to hear about your daughter making partner. I'll bet those kids are cute and so big by now. Glad that they are doing great. Sorry to hear about your (((DH))) I will say a prayer for you and your family. Take care!

About the Travolta's...they must be devastated. I know I would be. My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a child.

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Oh. I think all religions are pretty out there!