Over the weekend I got caught up in reading about the tragic story of actor John Travolta’s 16-year-old son Jett, who died suddenly on Friday after a seizure-related injury.
The comments sections of articles about this issue posted on the Internet were packed with diatribes related to Jett’s possibly having been autistic, and speculation about whether he was being treated properly (the Travoltas belong to the cult of Scientology, which opposes psychotropic meds). The Travoltas have long-denied that Jett was autistic, although some who knew Jett did not believe them.
What really got my attention was the large number of comments from readers who said they themselves were parents of special needs children. I’m sure a few were lying in a misguided effort to boost their credibility (after all, you can say anything on the Internet). But most rang true, because they fell into the two general categories of special needs parents I’ve come to recognize:
1) The Fighters. They cope with their child’s diagnosis by putting their energies into fighting/curing the malady. They join rallies (“Walk for Autism”) and cite studies and statistics. They’re the cheerleaders in the fight against the disability and for funding in related matters.
2) The Accepters. They’ve come to terms with their child’s disability for the most part, often after many years of struggle. They appear more concerned about incorporating their child into normal daily life than focusing on the disability.
Commenters from the first group were more accusatory against the Travoltas. The second group tended to be more sympathetic, with many also suggesting that people who are not parents of special needs children had no right to criticize the Travoltas because they had not “walked in their shoes.”
My thoughts are closer to those of the second group. The lives of special needs parents can be quite challenging and lonely. No one who hasn’t been there should criticize them.
I feel sorry for the Travoltas. They must be in so much pain over the loss of their son. As Scientologists, they themselves are disabled in that they must face their grief without the knowledge and comfort of the one true God. That is the biggest tragedy of all.
Great and accurate perspective, and wonderfully written!
I hadn’t heard of that at all. It IS tragic. But you’re right, the most tragic part of all is their lack of true faith.
As usually Barbara you have clear insight and are keeping your eye’s on our Heavenly Father. Thanks for lifting the fog once again.
I found my self wishing an “odd” little wish … that he really had some sort of learning disability or disorder … I think (with no scriptural basis, but nevertheless …) I hope the Lord would throw open the doors of heaven to children like this. If he was learning disabled, autistic, or what have you, it’s unlikely that he would understand the Lord’s plan of salvation. I also hope that maybe through this somehow the Travoltas recognize the emptiness of Scientology and their need for Christ.
Thanks, everyone 🙂
Very well written!