Requiesciat In Pace, Jett Travolta

This is just such a tragedy.

I don't care what you think about John Travolta. I don't care what you think about Scientology. I don't care what you think about Battlefield Earth, Saturday Night Fever or Swordfish or hair-plugged actors flying private airplanes. All of these things make my eyes roll so far back in my head that I can see what's left of my brains, but that is all so much of nothing because that man, and his family? Lost their child.

So. There'll be much that will be said on the Internets about the police investigation into young Jett's death, and the Travolta's rejection of autism diagnoses (which may or may not have been a factor in that death) and who it was that found Jett and whether or not he'd been left alone and whether or not his life might not have ended if his parents weren't Scientologists and/or if Scientology weren't such a dipshit-stupid mind-cult that pretended that things like autism don't exist and/or are caused by aliens and/or if carpet cleaners weren't so toxic and/or whatever. I will say some of this stuff. But for a moment? Let's just extend our sympathy for this poor, poor family, and our best wishes and prayers for the soul of that poor boy.

Comments

[Katie Kat]

This just simply BROKE MY HEART. I'm so sorry for John, Kelly and their entire family. I agree with you, I don't care what you think about their beliefs, anytime someone loses a child it is tragic.

I hope they find some peace and a way to comfort their pain - my heart goes out to them.

[BaltimoreGal]

Can't argue with that.

[Anna]

This is so terribly sad and I feel so sorry for them. All this speculation about what might or might not have led to his death is just cruel.

[Barbara]

The child is dead. Anyone wanting to rake the parents over the coals for what they could've/should've done is an asshole. Because once you lose a child, you can pretty much bet the parents' hearts can't get much more shattered. RIP little Jett.

[Hilary]

Well-said. It is a tragedy- bottom-line.

[FM]

It IS a tragedy.

As the parent of three children, any one of which I would die for without hesitation, the very thought of imagining harm coming to them is horrible to say the least. I'm not trying to get all Sally Struthers on anyone.. but the kid lived a pretty charmed life. It is up for debate whether he got the medical attention that his parents certainly could have afforded (as they had 24 hr nanny's on him), but regardless we all agree;

"No child should have to die before their parents."

But c'mon folks - let's take this opportunity to be mindful, let's not forget the thousands of parents that lose their children every day slowly to starvation in third world countries whose lives could have been saved with medical aid, or even food and water (things that even hokey religions/crazy mind controlling organizations for the rich and powerful would approve of).

What bugs me is.. the amount of air time and publicity this will get - as opposed to the air time other injustices that lead to the deaths of children (no less important) - and what that air time could have done to save even one, if not hundreds of children's lives ON A DAILY BASIS.

My version of "one to grow on".

Okay.. rail me.

[ivymae]

Rest in Peace Jett.

I grew up in (but no longer am part of) a religion that comes up in the media every so often for denying treatment for their sick children, and those parents are rarely looked on compassionately for believing that a magical man in the sky would cure their children if it was in his play book. I feel horribly for the Travolta's, but I will be curious to see how someone with enough money and fame handles the same situation.

[DianaCLT]

According to the newspaper articles (yes, Newspaper - NOT tabloids...just to clarify) I read, 16 year old (not a little guy, like he was in the older picture, above.) Jett had Kawasaki Disease since he was a young child, had a history of seizures, and was taking medication for it. The newspaper articles said he likely hit his head on the bathtub during a seizure, but two autopsies will be performed by two different facilities, to find out the COD for certain.

RIP, Jett. And my sincere condolences to the Travolta family. Can. NOT. Imagine.

[Andi]

As a pediatric oncology nurse, I see parents grieving for their children on a regular basis, and I can tell you it NEVER CEASES to rip my heart out. I cannot imagine what I would do without my daughter, and I pray to God I never have to know that pain.

[Amy W.]

My little 2 year old just had a seizure the day after Christmas. Luckily, it was fever-related and not very dangerous/not very likely to occur again. But at the time, we thought he was dying and my world just shattered. So, when I heard this news, I just couldn't stop crying because I am still replaying the scene with my son nearly constantly. Thank goodness, thank goodness, thank goodness all we had was the scare of our lives. I feel for the Travoltas who weren't so lucky.