14-year-old Jerika Bolen has passed away, according to USA Today Network-Wisconsin, after choosing to stop treatment for a rare disease.
The Appleton teen had type 2 spinal muscular atrophy which caused her to live in pain every day.
Tonight, the nation is following the news of Jerika's passing closely, and those who knew her are mourning the loss of someone they loved dearly.
In July, the community came together to put on a prom event for Jerika at the Grand Meridian in Appleton. It was her last dance.
Jerika had type II spinal muscular atrophy that prevented her from using her muscles, and last month she stopped the medical treatments that kept her alive.
Jerika's mother, Jen, has always stood by her daughter's difficult decision. Back in July, she explained to NBC26 the tough decision to give Jerika one last prom.
"We talked about it before, and I kind of put it off, and tried everything else in the meantime," said Bolen, "and then I knew that we couldn't put it off anymore."
Jerika's decision gained national attention, and support. But it was also controversial, sparking a heated debate about "right to die" issues, including pleas for her to change her mind from disability rights groups.
Earlier this month, a disability rights organization in Colorado called Disabled Parents Rights, asked Outagamie County Child Protection Services to intervene in Jerika's decision to go off her ventilator.
On Thursday night over Twitter, the national disability rights group "Not Dead Yet" says:
"We mourn 14-year old Jerika Bolen's suicide today. She did not get suicide prevention as other teens would. This injustice will be applauded."
But Jerika's mother says she always stood by Jerika's choice.
"I said, 'Jerika, I love you so much that I will not let you suffer,'" said Bolen, during July's prom dance.
