SIA Brain Awareness Foundation, Inc.

Tiffany's Story

Tiffany Nichole Morris

7/10/1989 – 11/1/2011

 

Tiffany was so full of life. She lived the way we all should — with God in her heart, compassion for others, and the most beautiful smile you’ve ever seen.

 

She was a loyal friend, an amazing daughter and sister, and someone whose presence could light up any room. Tiffany loved music, shoes (of course), making people laugh, and spending time in fellowship with her family and friends.

Tiffany was driven and determined. She put herself through cosmetology school while working two part-time jobs and attending classes full time, six days a week. She was the most independent young woman I knew — strong, focused, and committed to building her future.

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She was so excited about going to a Halloween party with her boyfriend. I remember her talking about ordering her costume, finding the perfect shoes, planning her makeup and hair — every detail mattered. She had worked so hard and was ready for a weekend of relaxation and fun.

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The party was Saturday night, October 29th.

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The morning of October 30th, her boyfriend realized she wasn’t breathing. He immediately called 911 and began CPR. Paramedics arrived quickly and were able to restore her heartbeat. Tiffany was rushed to the nearest hospital and then transferred to another facility with the specialized equipment needed for her condition.

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Seeing Tiffany in the ICU, surrounded by tubes and wires, we quickly realized the severity of her condition. She was on full life support — only her heart was beating on its own. The doctors initially believed she had aspirated, thinking she may have vomited in her sleep, cutting off oxygen to her brain. We were told her brain was swelling and there was no activity.

Tiffany was declared brain dead. The doctors said there was no hope.

The next step was an apnea test. They would turn off the oxygen support to see if Tiffany could breathe on her own. If she could, there would still be a chance.

We refused to give up hope.

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That morning, we asked for prayers through Facebook. Nearly a thousand people — maybe more — were praying and believing for a miracle. I stood in her hospital room with her pastor, waiting for my strong-willed daughter to take that breath. I truly believed she would. I could already picture her beautiful smile and us walking out of that hospital together. But she couldn’t breathe on her own.

One of the hardest moments of my life was walking into the waiting room to tell our family and friends that we had lost our Tiffany. Two physicians had to confirm she was legally brain dead before life support could be removed. And so it was.

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If you ever think your life — or one person’s life — doesn’t matter, think again.

Tiffany’s service was held on November 8th. Over 300 people attended. As a mother, I was overwhelmed to see how many lives she had touched. She was deeply loved. In her passing, she donated her major organs and helped save the lives of six people. Even in death, Tiffany gave life.

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For months, we believed aspiration was the cause. Three months later, the Medical Examiner’s office called. Tiffany’s official cause of death was Methylone intoxication from a designer drug known as “Explosion.” It was described as having effects similar to ecstasy. Tiffany was not a drug user, but she and her boyfriend decided to try what they believed was ecstasy that night.

It was a fatal decision.

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No one else at the party had complications. The medical examiner said, “Something in that drug caused Tiffany’s organs to shut down.”

Every time someone “tries” an illegal drug, they are taking a chance. There is a reason these substances are illegal. You never truly know what you are putting into your body.

Please — just don’t do it.

 

Tiffany,
We will miss you always and love you forever.

Love,
Mom, Brooke & Kyle