‘Nobody listened to us’: Sudden death of 10-year-old girl prompts medical investigation – while devastated family claims serious bowel problems suffered by them and her twin sister were dismissed by doctors
A heartbroken mother has shared her suffering after her 10-year-old daughter died despite complaining of bowel problems for years.
Debbie Morrison from Bury, Manchester, claimed that Shaylisha and her twin sister Chardonnay both suffered from constipation from birth and reported it to doctors.
However, she was told to simply feed the children plenty of “fruits, vegetables and water” to alleviate the problem, she said.
In May, Shaylisha had to take a day off from school because she suffered from diarrhea and vomiting for days.
But one night when she fell asleep on the couch, her father Eddie went to check on her in a panic and found her unresponsive.
Debbie Morrison, from Bury in Manchester, claimed that Shaylisha (pictured) and her twin sister Chardonnay both suffered from constipation from birth, which she reported to doctors. However, she was told to just give them plenty of ‘fruit, veg and water’ to help ease the problem, she said
In May, Shaylisha had to take a day off from school after suffering from diarrhea and vomiting for days. But after she fell asleep on the couch one night, her panicked father Eddie later checked on her and found her unresponsive. Pictured: Shaylisha Morrison (right) with sister Chardonnay Morrison (left)
Despite resuscitation attempts by both neighbors and emergency services, she could not be saved.
Shaylisha’s cause of death is still unconfirmed. However, a coroner’s investigation has been opened to investigate the reason for her tragic passing.
Mrs Morrison recalls her heartbreaking ordeal said: ‘They (Shaylisha and Chardonnay) both suffered from constipation since birth.
We kept telling the authorities and professionals that something was wrong.
‘But they kept telling us that this is normal for premature babies and that we should just keep giving them lots of water, fruits and vegetables. This has been going on for 10 years.
‘Nobody listened to us, and it wasn’t until one of my daughters passed away and her twin sister ended up in the hospital with the exact same thing.’
She added: ‘My husband and I rely on the community nurses, school nurses and GPs because they are the professionals.
No one ever said they would be referred to hospital for scans or x-rays, when they should have been.
‘Perhaps this could have been addressed years ago, then this terrible event could have been prevented.’
When Mrs Morrison paid tribute to Shaylisha at her crowded funeral last month, she told the bereaved: ‘There is a place in our hearts that only you can fill. You were the jewel in our hearts, you were loved in every way’
Just four days after Shaylisha’s death, Chardonnay was admitted to hospital with similar symptoms. No further details were given about her diagnosis, but Ms Morrison claimed she was responding well to treatment
During the inquest opened at Rochdale Coroner’s, Police Officer Paul Lever confirmed that Shaylisha was ill and suffering from an illness on the day of her death.
He also reported that her father found her dead on the couch at home on the evening of May 30.
Just four days after Shaylisha’s death, Chardonnay was admitted to the hospital with similar symptoms.
No further details were given about her diagnosis, but Ms Morrison claimed She responded well to the treatment.
When she paid tribute to Shaylisha at her crowded funeral last month, she told the bereaved: ‘There is a place in our hearts that only you can fill. You were the jewel in our hearts, you were loved in every way.
“Now that you’re gone, you’re missed every single day. We love you princess, sleep tight, fly high. Shine bright my beautiful shining star.”
The pastor added: ‘Her smile brought a smile to the faces of everyone who met her.
‘She had a creative streak, loved art and was very artistic in many ways. She loved horses and loved seeing them on her way to school.
“She was a shining star for Debbie and Eddie and for her brothers and sisters.”
Mrs Morrison, who is training to be a hairdresser, said Shaylisha’s death had been particularly hard on Chardonnay.
She said: ‘They were both inseparable, they were best friends and did everything together. They went to Elton Primary School together and played games together.
‘They were both happy, cheerful girls, always laughing and it was never boring, they were just always happy.’
She is now urging anyone with children who may have intestinal problems to get tested as soon as possible.