Travolta Family Tragedy

Travolta’s Tragedy Hits Home

When the news flashed that John Travolta’s 16-year-old son, Jett, died from an apparent seizure on January 2, I remained paralyzed momentarily as thoughts raced through my mind. It was five-years ago that I lost my five year old son, Matthew Siravo, to status epilepticus or a prolonged seizure. I couldn’t believe that lightning had struck the Travolta family as it did for us. The loss of a child is the most horrific experience a family can face. It’s a shocking tragedy that never goes away despite the outpouring of love and support from friends and family.

While millions of people worldwide suffer from seizure disorders or “epilepsy”, many are controlled by medication and live a normal life. However, there are those individuals who do not respond well with repeated attempts to control seizures with various types of medications and their uncontrolled seizure activity may cause development delays or special needs for children, depression and in some cases death.

The fact is that epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders and yet epilepsy research remains grossly underfunded. After the loss of my son Matthew, we organized the Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation in Rhode Island to raise much needed funds for epilepsy research, epilepsy awareness & educational programs while offering children with epilepsy college scholarships and younger children epilepsy camp sponsorships. We have collaborated with doctors at Hasbro Childrens Hospital to improve the quality of life for children and families dealing with epilepsy on a daily basis. We have partnered with scientist at Brown University to enhance research efforts for this debilitating disease.

Having a child with epilepsy is the fear of the unknown. The telephone rings and you fear that the message is about your child. You spend most nights awake listening to your child’s breathing patterns or sudden movements. A parent never knows where or when a seizure may occur. A parent never knows how long a seizure will last or whether there will be any long term side effects.

The Travolta’s have suffered the most horrific tragedy a family can face. They need love and support. In time, hopefully they will turn this tragedy into something positive for the many families suffering from epilepsy on a daily basis. In time, hopefully they will help educate society to better understand about seizures and use their celebrity influence to raise the much needed funds for epilepsy research to find a cure. But for now, they need their privacy to mourn the death of their only son and cuddle his memories as a family.

Richard Siravo is the Executive Director of the Matthew Siravo Memorial Foundation and Epilepsy Resource Center of RI located in Wakefield, Rhode Island. www.MattyFund.org

Richard Siravo of RI 12:05PM January 27, 2009

Dear John,

You don't me but I'm from Nigeria and it is the hope of me and my family that God's peace which surpasses all understanding will comfort you all. You have brought joy and comfort to millions of us through your many films. We are praying for your family. IT IS WELL WITH YOU.

MI Alfa of 12:25PM January 15, 2009

As a parent, we want our children to bury us one day and not the other way around that we bury them! this is very sad and only a parent that have experienced this can know how you and your wife are feeling? My prayer is that you find strength in the time you shared together and know that you will see your son again one day!

Prayerfully,

Spirit of Discernment

meta of MI 4:45PM January 09, 2009

This is from a book called The Way to Happiness which is given out by the church.

It has 21 ways of living a better life.

The 1st one is.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

1. Get care when you are ill.

2. Keep your body clean.

3. Preserve your teeth.

4. Eat properly.

5. Get Rest.

Kim from Ocala Fl. of FL 2:39PM January 09, 2009