APPLETON, Wis. (AP) - Disability rights advocates say the death of a Wisconsin teenager who was allowed to end treatment of her incurable disease was an injustice.
14-year-old Jerika Bolen died last week after drawing national attention for her decision to end a lifelong fight against a progressive disease that left her mostly immobile and with severe, chronic pain.
Not Dead Yet, a New York-based anti-euthanasia organization, issued a statement after Jerika's death, criticizing the news coverage as "one-sided applause for her suicide." The group said it's concerned the press would inspire others with disabilities and their parents to make a similar choice.
Jerika's mother, Jen Bolen, said Thursday that no one in their right mind would let someone suffer the way Jerika was.
