Tuesday was an eventful day for FEN in the Dakota County Court. Ted Goodwin was “compelled” to testify, ostensibly on behalf of the State. In reality, however, he gave an excellent review of the history and mission of Final Exit Network, the inception of the organization as it was derived from the original Hemlock Society and its philosophy of helping patients in incurable pain and suffering.
Highlights of his remarks concerned his views of the inner-workings of the FEN founders and their decisions and motivations. Among the things he was asked was about holding hands with the dying member as the exit progressed. Mr. Goodwin was clear concerning the belief that theguide is a compassionate presence and the belief by early FEN board members that holding hands was important if it was something the dying member wished as the dying process was taking place – a human touch at the time of dying. He emphasized the FEN philosophy that no one should ever have to die alone or die a traumatic death.
The compassion of the Network’s philosophy was emphasized over and over during Mr. Goodwin’s testimony. Not only was his testimony compelling in showing the value and commitment of members of the Network, but the audience heard nothing that would diminish the role of the Network or its Exit Guides. It was an outstanding review of the history, beliefs, and vision of Final Exit Network.
Mr. Goodwin was very clear that his view of holding hands down if necessary in case of a mishap with the helium bag, was a personal opinion, not shared by the board at the time, and in fact, the board had voted against any hand-holding for that purpose. He also made it clear that instructions on the intricacies of the mechanics of helium were to be found in Final Exit, the book by Derek Humphry, and that FEN always referred members to that book for information, and that the book and other materials were available online, in bookstores, and through ERGO – but not through Final Exit Network.
Mr. Goodwin’s testimony was followed by the testimony of the husband and son of Doreen Dunn, the member whose exit is the subject of this case.
Their testimony was also compelling, as sad as it was clear that Ms. Dunn had a terrible existence of pain and suffering with little left in her life or the hope of any future free of pain. The suffering she had experienced for 10 years was clear in her letter to FEN requesting Exit Guide services. She ended her letter saying she had given it “the good fight,” but she felt it was time to end her suffering. According to her husband and son's testimony, she was 57 when she died and had no hope of any recovery in spite of a new grandchild that was to be delivered a few days after her death; she had dropped below 100 pounds at one point, and lived on piles of pillows and heating pads as every touch brought her more unbearable pain as her body continued to deteriorate.
Today, Tuesday, May 12, 2015 – the jury and court will hear testimony from Ms. Dunn’s daughter, the police officer who responded to the death scene, and the coroner.