Hundreds Honor Jerika Bolen, Terminally Ill Wisconsin Teen That Has Chosen To End Her Life, At Prom In Her Honor

More than 1,000 people turned up on Friday night at the Grand Meridian ballroom in Appleton, Wisconsin, to say goodbye to 14-year-old Jerika Bolen, who has chosen to enter end-of-life hospice care at the end of the summer.

Jerika Bolen was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2 at just 8-months-old. SMA is a fatal disease that affects the brain stem and spinal cord, destroying the nerves that control voluntary muscle activity. From the time of Jerika Bolen’s diagnosis at 8-months-old, she has undergone more than 30 surgeries, according to Fox News. With a pain level that hovers around a 7 out of ten on a good day, Jerika has opted to enter end-of-life hospice care at the end of the summer — with the plan to turn off her ventilator and allow herself to die — rather than go through yet another surgery.

But before she enters hospice, Jerika Bolen told her mother Jen that she wanted to spend one last summer doing everything she loved, including trips to the movies, sleepovers with friends, fireworks with her grandparents, and attending the prom of a lifetime.

For any early risers that couldn't make it to Jerika Bolen's prom here is the photo gallery. https://t.co/5eUv7zhk3O pic.twitter.com/yKLAKt7je8

— Danny Damiani (@dtdamiani) July 23, 2016

With the help of a GoFundMe page that raised over $33,000, the Bolen family and friends put together an incredible prom for the teen, which they dubbed “J’s Last Dance.” On Friday, July 22, the Grand Meridian ballroom was decked out lime green and black — the favorite colors of 14-year-old Jerika — a DJ booth was tucked along one wall, a disco ball spun from the ceiling, and a well-stocked candy buffet helped to feed the crowd of over 1,000 family members, friends, and strangers, all of whom wanted to say a final goodbye, and tell Jerika Bolen just how much she touched their lives, even if Jerika had trouble understanding what made her such an inspiration

“It’s awesome. It’s fun. It’s a lot of people, and they look up to me. It’s kind of scary because I don’t know what they’re looking up to me for.”

The day of Jerika Bolen’s prom started with the teen and her mother, along with a some of her friends, getting their hair and makeup done in the living room of the Bolen house. Jerika donned a light turquoise gown, sparkling lipstick, a tiara, and a prom queen sash. As they prepared to leave the Bolen house to head to the prom, 17 police cars and a firetruck waited outside the house to escort the Ford Excursion limousine that would carry Jerika and her friends to the ballroom, reports USA Today.

Appleton Police Chief Todd Thomas said he was thankful his department was able to be there to support Jerika Bolen, and help out however they could.

“We’re just blessed to be able to help out. It’s an honor for us, and what an amazing young lady. She makes you appreciate what you have. She makes you think about using your time wisely. She’s making an impact.”

The special night held many other surprises for Jerika, including two large bouquets of flowers and a video message sent to her by the California boy band New District, and a surprise visit from Jerika’s favorite YouTube personality Richie Giese, who goes by the stage name Social Repose. The electro-pop star flew in from Washington, D.C., to visit with Jerika at her prom. The two danced together, and later shared a private conversation in a quiet area of the ballroom.

God Bless #JerikaBolen her story really touched me, you're beautiful & one strong young girl!?? pic.twitter.com/Abgw0bUqFp

— ?? (@jaz1of1) July 23, 2016

The most beautiful moment of the night was when Jerika shared her first dance with her mother, Jen Bolen, who has been a huge support to her throughout her short life. Quiet tears filled the crowd as the two danced to Martina McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes.”

Jerika Bolen has chosen to end her life this August, but before she does, she has decided to make the last months of her life as memorable as possible, and unintentionally inspire thousands of people around the world in the process.

[Image via Jen Bolen/GoFundMe]