Filed under 'Holly Robinson Peete'
Holly Robinson Peete: I'm "Relieved" The Travoltas Got Closure
Ten months after son Jett’s death, John Travolta and Kelly Preston admitted that their 16-year-old had autism. Holly Robinson Peete, whose 12-year-old son, Rodney Jr., also has autism, tells Life & Style that she wishes the A-list couple had spoken sooner.
Were there times I said to myself, Ooh, if somebody that A-list comes out, what could he do for the movement?" Holly says, “I don’t blame the Travoltas for not talking about it. I would never tell someone what to say about their kid."
Holly and her husband, former NFL star Rodney Peete, founded the HollyRod Foundation, which raises money for families living with autism and similar conditions. She says it was a family decision to go public with Rod Jr.’s condition, and she hopes John and Kelly can find solace in doing the same. “The fact that posthumously he had to say that on the stand, I wasn’t glad about it,” she says. “But I was relieved he was able to have closure.”
Holly Robinson Peete & Daughter Ryan In LA
Holly Robinson Peete and 11 1/2-year-old daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete were seen walking down Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, CA on Tuesday. Holly and her hubby Rodney Peete, former National Football League quarterback, are also parents to son Rodney Jr., who is Ryan's twin, son Robinson, 6 1/2, and son Roman, 4.
Holly's eldest son Rodney Jr. was diagnosed with autism. The 44-year-old mother of four recently accused fellow celeb mom, Amanda Peet, of "fearmongering" on the hot topic of childhood vaccinations: “I'm really disappointed to hear people like Amanda Peet—who have never been affected by autism—make public allegations like vaccinations don't cause autism. But I know exactly what she is trying to do and that's to instill fear: if your child doesn't get vaccinations, you're going to make every other child sick.”
Did you immunize your children?
Holly Robinson Peete Accuses Amanda Peet Of "Fearmongering"
It looks like Holly Robinson Peete is picking up where Jenny McCarthy left off. Holly has penned an open letter to Amanda Peet on Essence.com that takes issue with her public statements dismissing any links between vaccinations and autism.
Jenny, whose son Evan was diagnosed with autism (though she says he has now recovered), and Amanda engaged in a very public debate last year on the issue, exchanging barbs in the media.
Now Holly, who sits on the board of the awareness organization Autism Speaks, has taken up the fight. Her eldest son RJ, now 11, was also diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old, shortly after receiving vaccinations.
“I firmly believe that it took my son to a place of no return and his body could not handle it,” she writes of the vaccinations. “He had a violent reaction with convulsions and then he stopped talking and slipped into a silence. He no longer said, "Hi, Mommy," he no longer responded to his name and he no longer made eye contact.”
Amanda, mom to 2-year-old daughter Frances, is the spokesperson for the Every Child by 2 vaccination awareness campaign. Last year she stated in an interview with Cookie magazine that parents who choose not to vaccinate their kids are “parasites.” Though she later apologized for her choice of words, she’s held firm to her insistence that there is no link between vaccinations and autism.
“I'm really disappointed to hear people like Amanda Peet—who have never been affected by autism—make public allegations like vaccinations don't cause autism,” says Holly. “But I know exactly what she is trying to do and that's to instill fear: if your child doesn't get vaccinations, you're going to make every other child sick.”
She adds, “do you think it's okay to make a judgment about me based on what I know about my son and the rest of my children physiologically? If your mission is to gain the public's trust, then you're not going to get parents to do it by fearmongering. Until you've experienced the physical, emotional and financial toll you simply can't make such public statements.”
Holly Robinson Peete & Kids @ The Dog Park
It's a day at the dog park for Holly Robinson Peete and her kids - twins Ryan and Rodney Jr., 10, Robinson, 5, and Roman, 3. Dad is former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete.
Photos: Splash
Holly Robinson Peete & son
Holly Robinson Peete, 42, walks along with son Robinson. Holly is married to Rodney Peete, together they have four children: twins Ryan and Rodney Jr., 9, Robinson, 4, and Roman, 2. Son Rodney Jr. was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3.
Most of us remember Holly from 21 Jump Street, her most recent project was the UPN comedy Love, Inc. which was cancelled after one season.
Tidbit: Her father Matt Robinson was the original Gordon on Sesame Street.
celebritybabylon.com
.jpg "celebrity guest blogger")
recent comments