More Than A Thousand People Showed Up To Help This Dying Teenager With Her Last Dance

Jerika Bolen is only fourteen years old, but she's already had to make the hardest decision any adult would have to make; she's chosen to die.

But not before Prom, of course.

Jerika has spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that has no cure. The disease has immobilized her completely after damaging her muscles beyond repair; she is in almost constant pain. But that didn't stop Jerika from having her last dance!

Jerika, who lives in Appleton, Wisconsin, announced to the community that she plans to enter hospice care, as her disease takes it's course. She plans to unlock her ventilator, the device that helps her breathe, and die. But before this happens she has one last wish; to go to Prom! So the local community made it happen, and over a thousand people attended last Friday, called 'J Dubs Last Dance'

“When I decided, I felt extremely happy and sad at the same time,” said Jerika of her tough decision. “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 terrible pain. I’ve been working on it and thinking about it for way longer than anyone else has.” Jerika said she wasn't sad for herself, but for her friends and family who will have to mourn.

Over a thousand people showed up to celebrate Jerika's life. She plans to die at the end of August, but on Friday night, celebrating with friends and family, all Jerika had to think about was whether she would be crowned Prom Queen. Of course, she was.