Terminally ill Appleton teen celebrates life at prom

Jerika and her mother said they wanted to share her story to raise awareness about the disease.

She has made a decision to stop using the ventilator that helps her breathe, a move that will lead to her death. Recently, she had chose to end the artificial care that has kept her alive by the end of August, but with her last days approaching, young Jerika has been doing what she could to live her life to the fullest.

“It was a really hard decision to make”.

After her 38th surgery a few months ago, Jerika decided she was done: “I sat myself down and I thought, ‘Jerika, am I here for me or am I here for my family?” She wants a to have a “prom”…one night of music and dancing and fun. But those feelings are for another day as the celebration rolled into the night.

She plans to arrive by limo with a police escort.

On Friday, July 22, Jerika Bolen will have her “Last Dance” at the Grand Meridian, 2621 N. Oneida St., Appleton.

“I think it’s going to be busting at the seams”, Jen said. She expects the prom will be more like an open house, with people coming and going rather than staying its five-hour duration. Which is why Jen Bolen has come around to her daughter’s decision, despite her own anger, sadness, and fear about what’s to come. “There were a lot of tears, but then I realized I’m going to be in a better place, and I’m not going to be in this awful pain”.

“I feel famous, I’ve gotten so many friend requests”, she wrote.

“I know she’s only 14, but she’s old enough to decide”, Bolen says.

Jerika during the dance not only nabbed the coveted title of prom queen, but also got to reunite with former classmates and friends.

Admission to Jerika’s “Last Dance” is free, but the family will be accepting donations through a GoFundMe page. Jerika has never been able to walk and the disease continues to progress. Even through her pain, she finds a way to bring joy to others, especially her mother, Jen, who says the toughest thing is knowing she’ll soon be letting go of her little girl.

What: Jerika Bolen asked to have a prom as her final wish, and the public is invited to join the party.