Shaylisha Morrison, 10, was found dead on a sofa by her dad - a coroner has now opened an investigation
The mum of a twin girl who tragically passed away from suspected bowel issues has paid an emotional tribute, saying: "You were the jewel in our hearts, you were loved in every way". Heartbroken Debbie Morrison, 47, joined grieving family and friends as they said goodbye to Shaylisha Morrison, 10, with a horse-drawn carriage funeral after her unexpected death.
Debbie said Shaylisha and her 'inseparable' twin sister, Chardonnay, had battled with constipation since they were newborns, which she consistently brought to the attention of their doctors. However, she claims the advice she received was simply to ensure they ate plenty of 'fruit, vegetables and water'.
Tragically, Shaylisha was discovered lifeless on a couch by her father, Eddie Morrison, 45, on May 30 following days of illness with vomiting and diarrhoea. Chardonnay also fell ill with similar symptoms and was rushed to hospital just four days later, but is now thankfully making a recovery, confirmed Debbie.
During the emotional service at Bury Cemetery's chapel in Greater Manchester, Debbie read out a poignant poem in memory of her daughter. She expressed: "There's a place inside our hearts that only you can fill. You were the jewel in our hearts, you were loved in every way."
"Now you're gone you're sorely missed each and every day. We love you princess, sleep tight, fly high. Shine bright my beautiful shining star.", reports the Manchester Evening News.
Whilst the cause of Shaylisha's death is yet to be confirmed, an inquest has been launched by a coroner. But her mum, Debbie, can't help but regret that medics didn't take her our past worries more seriously for her daughters.
Debbie revealed: "They both suffered with constipation since birth. We kept telling the authorities and professionals that something wasn't right. But all they kept telling us was this is normal for premature babies and to just keep giving them plenty of water and fruit and veg. This has been going on for 10 years."
"No one has listened to us, and it's taken for one of my daughters to pass away and for her twin sister to end up in hospital with exactly the same thing."
The grief-stricken mum, who is learning to be a hairdresser, mentioned how deeply Shaylisha's loss has impacted her twin Chardonnay: "They were both inseparable, they were best friends and did everything together, went to Elton Primary School together and played games together."
"They were both happy, bubbly girls, always smiling and there was never a dull moment, they were just always happy."
She now encourages parents with kiddies exhibiting any bowel problems to get them examined ASAP. The distraught mum added: "Me and my husband put our faith in the health visitors, school nurses and the GPs as they are the professionals."
"No one ever said that they would refer them to the hospital for scans or x-rays which should have been done. Maybe this could have been dealt with years ago and this horrendous ordeal would have been prevented."
At Shaylisha's emotional send-off, the vicar honoured her memory, saying she had been a 'shining star' for her parents. He remarked: "Her smile brought a smile to the faces of everyone who met her."
"She had a streak of creativity which ran through her, and she loved art and was very artistic in many ways She loved horses and loved to see them on her way to school. She was a shining star for Debbie and Eddie and for her brothers and sisters."
An inquest into the tragic death of Shaylisha has commenced at Rochdale Coroner's Court.
During the initial proceedings, Police coroner's officer Paul Lever noted that Shaylisha had been unwell, experiencing sickness on the day she died, and tragically, her father discovered her lifeless body on the sofa at home on the evening of May 30.
In the wake of this tragedy, Debbie is now crowdfunding to finance a headstone for Shaylisha.