Jett Travolta, Son of John Travolta, Dies at the Age of 16

It was announced on January 2, 2009 that the 16 year old son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston had died. Jett Travolta died suddenly after having a seizure whilst on a family vacation in the Bahamas with his parents and 8 year old sister, Ella Blue, to celebrate the dawn of 2009. An autopsy to confirm the cause of death has been planned for Monday.

These days we are all to accustomed to reading about the tragic deaths of young people in the media but the news announced yesterday makes it all too apparent just how precious life is. Jett Travolta was a teenage boy with everything to live for. He had a first class education, the best medical care money could buy and everything any teenage boy could ever want. He also had a sense of value instilled him thanks to his grounded upbringing. Any child with famous parents can take life for granted but Jett was not involved in the world of drugs that so many others with similar lives have. Instead, he had been ill since the age of 2 and there was nothing that could be done to save him.

Jett Travolta had been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease early in life and that actually causes inflammation of the blood vessels. He had faced medical problems as a result throughout his young life but they were apparently thought to be under control, although it is not clear whether Jett had been taking medication. As a result of the illness, he regularly suffered seizures but the family had managed to control them. However, he died after having a seizure that his parents and medical professionals could not revive him from. He was taken to hospital but tragically did not make it

Both John Travolta and Kelly Preston were present when Jett died and I can only imagine how they are feeling now. Watching a child die must be awful but having seen someone go into a seizure and never come out of it previously, I cannot imagine the helplessness and despair they must have felt. Grease and Pulp Fiction star Travolta was notoriously close to his son and the couple have asked the media to let them grieve in peace. I hope that the press will indeed respect their wishes.

Rest in peace Jett. My condolences to the Travolta family. I hope you find the strength to get through such a tough time.

May this event put in perspective just how precious life is.

Sources:

http://englishopinion.today.com/2009/01/02/john-travoltas-son-jett-dies-aged-16/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7809172.stm