Georgia NDY/Disability Activist on Fox5 Coverage in Atlanta – Final Exit Network

Yesterday (March 18), Fox5 in Atlanta, GA aired a long (over 6 minutes) piece on the Final Exit Network on the 6:00 p.m. news. A similar piece, but edited to give more in-depth coverage of the FEN activists themselves, was aired at 11:00 p.m.

Although there are serious problems with the reporting overall, we’re happy to say that the NDY/disability rights perspective was well-represented by Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle. Rebecca is a long-time organizer/activist in both ADAPT and NDY. She is also the president and CEO of disABILITY LINK in Decatur, GA.

Below is a link to the page on Fox5 that carries the text version of the story. There are also video links on the page, along with a link to a poll asking “is assisted suicide unethical?” Please take the time to answer “yes.”

Fox 5 Special: Inside Final Exit Network

(Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle’s quotes highlighted in story text)

ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) – Some call assisted suicide an act of compassion, others call it criminal. Four members of the Georgia-based Final Exit Network were arrested in February for assisted suicide in the death of a Cumming cancer patient.

The Final Exit Network is a right to die advocacy group. The group’s president said members will only support certain people with incurable or intolerable conditions, but insisted it wasn’t assisted suicide.

At 26-years-old, one Chicago man suffers from an incurable neurological disorder known as Charcot Marie Tooth or CMT. Patients who suffer from the disorder slowly lose the use of their legs and feet. The patient’s nerves and muscles in the hands slowly degenerate causing fingers to contract permanently. CMT sufferers also undergo excruciating pain.

“Sometimes it’s a burning neurological pain like boiling hot water is running through my nerves,” Kurt, who asked that only his first name be used.

CMT is not fatal, but Kurt suffers from a rare form of the disease that causes severe respiratory problems which can make breathing feel more like suffocating.

Kurt said he didn’t want to grow old with the disease and that is why he made the decision to take his own life before CMT could leave him helpless and struggling to breathe.

In 2006, Kurt sought help from Final Exit Network and met retired geriatric scientist Rosalie Guttman. Guttman reviewed Kurt’s case and became his, what the organization called an exit guide.

“I tried to discourage him from ending his life anytime soon, because I perceived him to be, well, he’s young,” Guttman said.

Guttman said she told Kurt that medical advancements could help him in the future, but as his exit guide promised to be by his side when he chooses to end his life.

The Final Exit Network’s recommended method involves inhaling helium gas, while wearing a plastic hood called an exit mask.

“This is extremely quick, this is like 10 seconds and you’re unconscious,” said Dr. Jerry Dincin.

Dr. Dincin is a retired clinical psychologist and the president of the Final Exit Network.

“People who are in these extreme circumstances have the right, the human right, to end their lives when they feel they need to do it,” said Dr. Dincin.

The person who wishes to end their life is required by the organization to perform all of the tasks on their own, such has buying the helium, turning on the tank and applying the mask without assistance.

“After they repeatedly say to us, ‘I can’t stand living,’ we will be with them in their last moments. It’s only a compassionate act of love,” said Dr. Dincin.

Dr. Dincin said the Final Exit Network limits its services only to those with terminal, irreversible or intolerable health problems. The group’s president insisted exit guides only offered clients information and emotional support.

Dincin said what Guttman will one day offer Kurt is not assisted suicide.

“That’s all we want to do is be there with a person so they don’t die alone. Its swift, it’s painless, you do not feel asphyxiated,” Dr. Dincin said.

“How can putting a plastic bag over your head with no air not be a horrible way to die? I don’t buy it,” said Becky Rumage Tuttle.

Tuttle is a member of an advocacy group for people with disabilities, called Not Dead Yet.

Tuttle said groups like Final Exit Network do a disservice to disabled people who could benefit from therapy, medical advances or support groups.

“You’re not just standing back and saying, ‘I understand how you feel, it must be really tough right now,’ they’re saying, ‘Here’s a way out,'” said Tuttle.

Tuttle applauded the arrest of four Final Exit Network members in February on assisted suicide charges. The members are accused of helping 58-year-old John Celmer of Cumming take his own life in 2008.

“What options are they giving them if the sole purpose of their organization is to give the resources to end your life,” asked Tuttle.

“We ask them 10 times, we ask them 20 times, ‘Are you absolutely sure that you want to do this today ‘ and most of the time the people will say, ‘Shut up and let’s get to it,'” said Dr. Dincin.

Kurt said he wasn’t sure when he will end his life. The Chicago man said his mobility has gotten worse, which meant he may have to end his life before his respiratory troubles become intolerable. Kurt said the decision was his and his alone to make. Kurt also insisted his exit guide’s role has been clearly defined.

“To hold my hand, not to hold down my hand, but to hold my hand in comfort and support so that when I die, I don’t feel like I’m alone,” Kurt said.

Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Final Exit Network members did much more than hold hands.

Legal documents from Celmer’s case allege group members helped write suicide notes before patients’ deaths and threw the helium tanks away after they died.

Final Exit Network members said they were only following wishes of the dying.

With a little trepidation (I’m not really good at this) here’s my attempt to provide a link to the video story, with filmed interview of Rebecca as the only voice opposed to FEN: