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| Jerika Bolen |
Jerika Bolen was a beautiful - inside and out - 14 year old girl. She also had type a spinal muscular atrophy, a brutal disease that left her in constant pain. She never walked and could move only her head and hands. For her entire life she suffered in ways that we cannot imagine.
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| Jerika's "Last Dance" |
We became aware of Jerika when she announced that she had made the choice to enter hospice and let the disease take its course without further aggressive treatment. But before that the wonderful folks in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she lived, fulfilled her dream of going to prom.
There has been much controversy about Jerika, a young teen, being able to make this choice. But, by law, anyone has the right to accept or refuse medical treatment.
Some in the religious community have condemned her (and her mother) for "playing God" with her life. I, on the other hand, think that our ability to extend life by artificial and cruel means, discounting any quality of our lives and refusing to offer up alternatives like palliative care is, in fact, playing God.
Rest in peace, Jerika
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