APPLETON, Wis. (AP) -- A 14-year-old Wisconsin girl suffering from an illness that will take her life has decided to unhook her ventilator and die -- but not before she attends prom.
Hundreds turned up Friday night to support Jerika Bolen of Appleton as she celebrated "J's Last Dance." She told The Post-Crescent that the night was "awesome."
Jerika got her hair done and put on a fancy dress, flowers were sent from across the globe, she was escorted by police and a fire truck, a YouTube star made a surprise appearance and a favorite boy band sent a video message.
Jerika has spinal muscular atrophy type 2, which destroys nerve cells in the brain stem and spinal cord. She's never walked and is in pain. She knows the disease will get worse.
