Prom day arrives for 14-year-old who chooses to die

APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) – Prom day has arrived for a 14-year-old Wisconsin girl who has been faced with a difficult decision.

Jerika Bolen is living with spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA. The genetic progressive neurological disease has taken away her ability to use the muscles in her body, and it’s left her with unbearable pain.

Bolen has decided that she’s at peace. At some point in August, she will stop receiving treatments that are helping to keep her alive.

On Friday, July 22, Jerika Bolen will have her “Last Dance” at the Grand Meridian, 2621 N. Oneida St., Appleton. The public is invited to attend the prom. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Admission to Jerika’s “Last Dance” is free, but the family will be accepting donations through a GoFundMe page.

If you can’t make it to the prom, the family has set up a PO Box:

Jerika BolenPO Box 2577Appleton WI 54912

The community has come together to give Jerika her dream prom. The Grand Meridian donated the space, and other businesses are providing food, decor, and music.

A statement Jen Bolen, Jerika’s mother, wrote on the GoFundMe page: