What Travolta could have done to help autism, how about now?

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What Travolta could have done to help autism, how about now?

June 12, 9:59 AM · 1 comment

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(AP Photo/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 Travolta and

Preston's son Jett was autistic. Whether or not this news was heresay, I

had hoped that they would come forward, and be the voice of autism, and give

crediblity 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

in February read: " On Monday 29 December 2008 I travelled to Grand Bahama

Island. I was accompanied by my wife 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 prohibitted

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

Travolta and 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.

Author: Robin Hausman

Robin Hausman is a National Examiner. You can see Robin's articles on

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A writer and mother of 21-year-old quadruplets (one with autism), Robin has

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Comments

Karol G. says:

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.

June 12, 2:24 PM