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(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)
When I wrote The Dangers of Celebrity Medicine, I touched on the value of celebrity endorsement when he or she does not assume the role of doctor.
Sadly, I was reminded over and again about certain movie stars who declined to "come out" about their child's autism. Years ago I knew that John Travolta and Kelly Preston's son Jett was autistic. Whether or not this news was here-say, I had hoped that they would come forward, and be the voice of autism, and give credibility to the need for research and awareness. "Look, this even happens to celebrities".
Mr. and Mrs. Travolta vehemently and publicly denied the autism diagnosis, claiming their son was a victim of Kawasaki Disease, due to inhaling carpet cleaning materials. Tragically Jett Travolta died last January, due to a complications from a seizure disorder.
Reported by Yahoo.com news the police report of Jett Travolta's death has been published:"According to National Enquirer magazine, a police report taken from John in February read: "On Monday 29 December 2008 I traveled to Grand Bahama Island. I was accompanied by my wife Kelly Preston, my son Jett Travolta, my daughter Ella Travolta, Eli Wheaton, Jeff Kathrein and others. We stayed at town houses at Old Bahama bay, Grand Bahama. My son Jett suffered from a seizure disorder and he was autistic."
According to the report the Travolta's devotion to Scientology prohibited admission of autism: "Scientology teaches that mental illness does not exist and teaches the problem should be resolved using "spiritual healing" rather than drugs."
This is a tough one for me. I have the utmost respect for the devastation of mental illness. It is an intangible, often helped by therapy and medication. However, and this is a huge caveat, autism hardly falls into a microcosm of Scientology diagnosis. There are neurological, biological, genetic and physical pieces to the autism spectrum disorder. Once again, how does a religious group ascertain a medical degree?
Jett Travolta's death should not go in vain. Perhaps now is the time for John Travolta and Kelly Preston to donate their time and resources to autism awareness. They know all too well how autism can devastate a family. It is never too late to share his story for the good of mankind.
Comments
I don't leave many comments on blogs like this...but I just want to say "shame on you!" for making the Travolta's feel like they have some obligation to "come out" to the world and be an advocate for autisum or any other disability. Whether or not Jett had autism really is no ones business but theirs. This is a family that is grieving over the loss of their beautiful son....and here you are laying guilt trips on them. I acknoweldge that its important for causes to have a "voice"..and yes it helps when there are celebrities involved because they bring more attention, but it doesn't change the fact that they are "real people" like you and me and they are hurting...far beyond words can express. I have a son with autism whom I love with all my heart and I hope one day that there will be a cure for him. I just pray that people will leave the Travolta's alone so they can grieve...for however long they need to in peace.
As the sister of an autistic brother I was sad when John Travolta hid Jett's true condition. What is there to be ashamed of? I can't believe he took away medicine. How was Jett supposed to live? Maybe John Travolta will do something good for autistic people but it wont bring his son back. These people are supposed to set an example.
I agree with KG. Mind your own business!
To Karol G.,
The Travoltas were quite public about their denouncement of the autism diagnosis; that made it public business. They negated autism as the very real disease that we live with every day of our lives.
Frankly, I have no idea how these parents treated their son's seizure issues. Doses of medication are at best a delicate balance; I hardly believe that Jett Travolta's parents withheld does of medication for religious purposes. I too feel great sympathy for their loss.
Sorry, I've gotta agree with Karol. Did you ever stop to think that without all the pressure to be the "public face" of autism they might not have felt the need to deny the diagnosis?
Movie stars don't owe you anything. Even an Aspie like me understands that.
I think the real problem here is that autism is much more than a mental health problem. Perhaps we need to see autism for what it really is: A neuro-biological and immune system disorder that also effects the digestive and gastrointestinal systems. Those with autism certainly have symptoms that fall within some mental health categories but the entire diagnosis needs to be considered a medical condition. It seems that unless there is a medical test that can be given to diagnose...it falls into the mental health realm.
This is no ones business but the Travolta family's - this is exploitation - most likely what they were trying desperately to avoid.
As a female aspie who was diagnosed at 56, I agree with Robin. I have seen too much celeb worship as well as celeb taking advantage of their fans. Looking at this article it received 7 comments pretty high compared to others. Why? Celebs attract those who need to have passion when celebs are involved. The actor or entertainer is one thing, the person behind the mask is another.
I have read all of Robins articles on autism and have found them very accurate,except for autism being a disease or disorder. As an aspie myself I consider it just another operating system of the brain.
Yvonne Mikulencak, Executive Director,Asperger Women Association
Given that autism is a vast spectrum disorder, I can truly understand why Yvonne considers autism as "just another operating system of the brain". It is the non-verbal, self injurious children who seem to be in pain, that command the most need for research and awareness.
Quite frankly, I do understand the frequent request from Asperger community that says "don't fix me". It's a fair statement.
Movie stars, and their publicists are known to manipulate the media. Do you not think all of this Travolta-autism publicity is ironic on the eve of the opening of his new movie?
Many of you are correct in saying that Travolta owes the public nothing about his personal life. I reiterate, revealing his posture about autism, made it public.
If we are just speaking about the Travolta's situation, specifically about Jett, he was not an aspie. From the little I have read he was mainly non-verbal and seemed to have health related issues. Yes, Asperger Syndrome is on the other end of the spectrum. So, for the Travolta family autism played out as a health related issue.
Listen, I know myself and others. All parents deal with it differently. Some get active, do the research, go to the walks, others are more private. It can be very depressing to deal with, then the next you look at your kid in awe of the talents they have. Currently i'm annoyed with the casual use today of the word "retard."
Aren't you concern about the advertising about Scientology on YOUR page?
Disturbing...
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