Teen with terminal disease to hold prom before death

APPLETON, Wisc. — A teen says this will be her last summer: she has decided to end her life after living with a terminal illness.

Jerika Bolen explained to WBAY-TV about her lifelong battle with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, or SMA II. The disease causes constant pain and prevents her from using most of her muscles.

At just 14, she says she cannot continue with her life anymore.

The teen says that she wants to celebrate the end of her life with a "last dance" prom.

"I don't have many friends. I'm not, like, because I couldn't get out really and do many things because I was in so much pain, and this prom is, we'll, we call it my last dance," Jerika told WBAY-TV.

On Jerika's Facebook page, she says she's been inundated with friend requests.

"I feel famous, I've gotten soooo many friend requests!" she wrote.

WBAY-TV reports Jerika's prom will be held at Appleton's Grand Meridian on Friday and it will be open to the public.

Sometime in late August, Jerika will stop using the ventilator she uses right now to breathe as she begins hospice care.

If you would like to send a card or letter or reach out to Jerika, the family has set up this P.O. Box:

Jerika Bolen

PO Box 2577

Appleton WI 54911

Cox Media Group