Autism United reaches out to John Travolta

Autism United, a national group representing more than 15,000 parents of children with autism, is reaching out to grieving parents John Travolta and Kelly Preston.

They'd like the couple to join a nationwide public-awareness campaign about autism.

Whether their son Jett's death was autism-related or not, Travolta's support would send a powerful message because he is one of the most recognized stars around.

The press release adds: "His role as a parent who dealt with a child suffering seizures could help to thousands of families with children suffering similar problems."

"This is a difficult time for John and Kelly, and our prayers are with them," the AU spokesman said. "But this could be an opportunity for them to use their son's death and their celebrity to help thousands of parents, who are caring for sick youngsters."

Other celebrities, such as actress Jenny McCarthy, already work with Autism United.

According to the press release, Travolta and his actress wife, Kelly Preston, are active members in the Church of Scientology, which views autism and other mental illnesses as psychosomatic and prescribes treatments of spiritual healing.

According to the Associated Press, millions of children and adults have seizures in the United States, but dying from a seizure is rare.

The AP story reads: "That only adds to the confusion and mystery surrounding the life and death of Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston."

Curiouser and curiouser ....

Should the Travoltas get involved with the autism activist organization?

Related Travolta posts:

Hearse decoy, Jett Travolta cremated.

Who is Jett Travolta's male nanny, Jeff Kathrein?

John's brother, autism activist Joey Travolta, thought Jett had autism

Family lawyers: Jett's anti-seizure meds stopped working

John Travolta's public statement about Jett

Scientology critics cite 2007 blog about Jett's impending death

Family lawyers say Jett's death caused by head trauma

John Travolta's son, Jett, 16, dies in the Bahamas

Photos: WireImage

Comments

[lori]

Leave the family alone this is private and they deserve time before the public has questions HAVE SOME RESPECT

[Richard Hollis]

I am an epileptic and have been told never phone the doctor when I have a seizure so don't judge Mr. Travolta. Seizures, normally, do not pose a threat to life.
I hope Mr. Travolta does not blame himself for what happened.

[dianne]

This is not the time for anyone, or any group, to ask the Travolta family for anything. It is beyond the pale that anyone would use the death of a child to further their own agenda, whether or not it is a worthwhile cause. My son has autism and I must say that I find no comfort or benefit from the fact that others have known that he had the label, "Autistic." My love for him has nothing to do with what other people believe about him. None of us can diagnose the Travolta's son, nor should we try. It is none of our business. From all appearances Jett Travolta had a wonderful life with a loving family and joyful experiences. That seems to me to be the ultimate measure of a fulfilled life. I hope people will be mindful of how their words and speculations can add to the sorrow of a deeply grieving family. Focus on your own lives, on loving your own family and being thankful that you have another chance to put your arms around your child today.

[bumper007]

Why in the heck would you want to bother the Travolta family at a time like this, good cause or not. This is not the time nor place for AU to ask anything of the family. Let them be right now, they will decide what causes they will endorse when the time is right. This is definitely not the time.

[nancy]

I have a son with Autism and have viewed the news about the Travolta son. It is a sad situation and my prayers go out to them in this time of grief. I once went to a workshop on Autism and they mentioned that a child born with a disability such as Autism will always grieve. That is true. My son also suffers from a non-life threatening seizure disorder that has taken him away from me for a decade, hospitals, doctor, you name it, and finally the courts. Yet, true to God's nature he was returned to me and I have cared for him for the last two years. His seizure disorder has lessen alot, I believe devine intervention had something to do with it, yet I do respect the believe of others and know that God gives us "special" parents a gift of patience and unconditional love.

[PA]

I usually support AU. But this is the time to let this family grieve. LEAVE THEM ALONE!

[Billy]

Are John and Kelly not going through enough tough times to be pestered by a front for the international psychiatry complex?
Autism is a term that psychiatrists fabricated to pilfer billions from hard working Americans. The symptoms of "autism" are caused by the unpleasant memories of the past. Read Dianetics, the Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard to find out more.

[NAHUM]

I feel bad about your family cos Im father too but all the people have the oportunity to see again ours relatives by the promise , Jehova give us on the bible your a good and a hardles man dont loose your oportunity just reed jn 5.28,29 and jn 11.25 on the bible JAH BLESS YOU

[ebmo]

Dianne said everything beautifully. I could not agree more. I have a son with Autism as well.

If indeed Jett Travolta had Autism, the very idea that anyone would approach his parents at the time of his sudden death in an attempt to make his son a "poster child" is inhumane!

[ah Mar]

Here’s my message to the bereaved family – Please don’t care about what other people say. I am sure you both have done the best you could and it is no fault of yours that your little boy has gone away. Given your status and wealth, you have done more than the average parents and I am sure the medics will vouch for that. Remember the happy moments together with your baby, how you have given him love and happiness while he was with you. That is more than what some other parents can afford to do so. Best wishes and love to you, Kelly and Ella and hoping that you will learn to live again with Jett forever in your memory.

[larrissa knapton]

what the hell has this world and its people become? i cannot use the language that i deem appropriate on this matter but people/press and ALMOST all of society are parasites feeding on a tragedy and how dare any one of us ASSUME anything about a very private and personal matter that involves a child. my son is not autistic and "has labels" but the ignorance in society only allows them to jump to this conclusion because..........???????????? i cant explain that... i'm not THAT ignorant. Jett was so loved and this is plain for anyone to see.... or are we to ignorant to acknowledge that?? my heart aches for this family and this child, my thoughts are with them.

[Malik]

I don't think it's right for anybody to be asking them to support any cause in public, especially at this time, such a thing seems more like a taunt, especially the way it is typed up in the above article. If they say that they don't , then the media will use it to say the refused to support the cause.. It's likely possible that the Travoltas have donated to autism groups in private, without having to let the whole world know about it. Plus, being Scientologist only makes the media jump on their religion and saucy stories, more than the autism support.

[dan]

this might be one of the funniest stories I have seen all year. first of all, that headline is priceless. second, travolta is a scientologist, so this entire "reaching out effort" coming off as a dick move is entirely understandable. of course they're being insensitive by asking him to campaign for their group right after his son has died, but his religion is responsible for the suffering of thousands with mental illnesses, so this public move is either ill considered, or brilliant satire. third, uhhhhhh, comedic rule of threes...uhhh...autism?

[JoJo]

I really with the media would back off and leave this grieving family alone. That includes Autism United, as well. Leave these people alone and let them get on with their lives. They have lost their beloved son.

[XXX]

" this could be an opportunity for them to use their son's death" - what words! How ANYONE may want to use children's death for his/her own busniness????? It's terroristic approach - to use people's death to raise visibility...

[Susan]

I have no respect for this organization after this.

[flo]

that young man deserved better than to be treated the way he was. rest in peace.

[Rosa]

Leave them along! Have some compassion!

[HL]

My condolences are with John, Kelly and their daughter durng this very trying time. I feel the AU or whatever it is should leave them alone at this time. They need time to mourn and cope with the tragedy. Seizures can be caused by many things and it sounds like that is what he had and fell and unfortunately hit his head during the seizure Again my deepest condolences to John, Kelly and their daughter during this time.

[Betty]

This is disgusting. Do they expect the Travoltas to drop by a studio to record a PSA on the way to their son's funeral? Better yet, maybe they can film it during the service for greater effect.

[Lavanda Dolce]

Jett, may you fly the heavens and rest in the arms of the Lord. I hope your family finds comfort in the memorial video that I made for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-py7vo4bWU

[Kay Kent]

What is unfortunate about the church of Scientology and Christian Science is that they do not actually have any manner of science as the basis for care and protection of children. There are treatments, including the now famous High Fat Diet that help seizures tremendously. To only rely on 'spirtual treatment' is so incrediby naive. Its sad that they did not pursue other means of treatment more vigourously. Now their son is dead. Are they partially to blame? They certainly are if all they did was pursue 'spiritual treament', then yes they certainly are. This world is made up of many forces, psychological, physical, mental, dietary, emotional. When people try to place all faith in one limited discipline, its a recipe for disaster and in this case death as well.

God bless their family, it will not be easy. The questions and self recrimination will probably only get worse.

Ms. Kay kent

[Major Angst Girl]

Wow, that's pretty insensitive of AU, especially using the media rumormill to try to browbeat a grieving family. If they really wanted to "reach out " to the family, they would have approached them privately. But a public, "gee sorry about your dead kid and all, and of course you're probably feeling sad and all, but can you give us some of your time and money" is hardly appropriate in the anyone's time of grief.
AU must really stand for alternate universe where such self-serving, grasping behavior is acceptable. It's just shameful

[Joan]

My deepest sympathies. I think everyone should just back-off.

Let this family have time for themselves.

[bv]

This is absolutely disgusting - an attempt to disgrace the family and their religion as well as a blatant self-promotion. This isn't news, and it's a wrong to share it as such.