The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
LARGO — With her son Matthew in the hospital for a drug overdose in March 2007, Rita Sinn didn't buy flowers.
Instead, Sinn, 53, bought cemetery plots for any family members who might need the space someday.
But in the back of her mind, she knew who it was for.
"I didn't want him to be alone when he died," Sinn said.
Matthew Serra died on Friday in a rented condominium, a stash of OxyContin, Valium and methadone by his bedside, his family said. His family suspects a drug overdose. Mr. Serra was 28.
Once, Mr. Serra seemed destined to fulfill his dream of becoming a military lawyer. He got into Virginia Military Institute on a swimming scholarship, and was captain of the swim team and the Pre-Law Society.
"When he wasn't using, he was infectious," said his sister, Kim Purcell, 31. "He was somebody you just couldn't get enough of.
"He was a cute kid, he always had girls with him. He was cocky and athletic. He was all the things most kids wish they were in high school."
Mr. Serra grew up in Largo, the son of a successful financial planner. He celebrated his fourth birthday in a hospital, after trying to jump a fence with his bicycle. He wanted to be a Navy Seal.
At VMI, his ambition matured. Now he wanted to become a judge advocate general.
An arrest after graduation for doctor shopping changed all that. Further arrests for sale of morphine and possession of steroids seemed to put his dreams out of reach.
A stint in jail introduced him to people who knew which doctors would prescribe drugs such as OxyContin. Mr. Serra still had X-rays from a freak accident in which he had fractured two vertebrae. And he could talk.
"I don't want to say 'manipulative,' but he could have his way with people," said his brother, Stephen Serra, 26.
He worked day labor. He pressure-cleaned houses. He lost weight.
"He hated disappointing us as much as we hated it," his brother said.
For several months in 2007, he stayed at a Clearwater treatment center. The old Matthew came back, sharp and confident and clear. Cautiously, his family began to hope.
Mr. Serra left the Center of Hope after six months. He told his mother that seeing the new addicts coming in bothered him.
At her home on Monday, Sinn gazed at a photo of her son in a cadet's white uniform. He holds a gleaming sword across his chest; there is a hint of defiance in his smile. The picture "epitomizes everything he could have been," she said.
His ashes will go in the place she reserved a year and a half ago in case the worst should happen.
Andrew Meacham can be reached at ameacham@sptimes.com or (813) 661-2431.
.Biography
Matthew F. Serra
Born: Dec. 4, 1979.
Died: Oct. 3, 2008.
Survivors: mother, Rita Sinn, and stepfather, George; father, Mark Serra, and stepmother, Laurie; sister Kimberly Purcell; brother Stephen Serra; stepsisters Emily Allenbach and Jessica Tibbetts; stepbrothers Matt and Mark Sinn and Michael Tibbetts; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
I knew Matthew from Seminole High. He was everything you said...confident, athletic and genuinely a nice guy. God gives and takes away and we have to trust there is a reason in all of this. Praying for you and your family.
by friend
Oct 13, 2008 1:34 PM
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. May God give you the strength to get through this tradegy. I went to highschool with Matt and remember him as being a great person.
by Dan
Oct 10, 2008 5:04 PM
To the Serra family, I am very sorry for your loss. I knew Matt personally from high school, and was very good friends with his brothers. A life should never be taken at such a young age.
by Jeff
Oct 10, 2008 5:01 PM
Charlie- you are a Turd. Way to go, nothing feels better than saying "I told you so"
RIP Matthew
by Hardhat0038
Oct 10, 2008 5:01 PM
"It is always tragic when a young, intelligent Life is wasted."
It is sad when ANY life is wasted, not just young, intelligent life. Funny how selective we are with our sympathy....
by Hardhat0038
Oct 10, 2008 5:00 PM
This is a sad story, I'd be willing to bet though that the tone of the comments would be different if he wasn't a white middle class kid. The double standard here is sickening, if this kid would have been black you there would be no sympathy.
by Another Sad Mom
Oct 10, 2008 4:59 PM
I'm Very sorry for your loss. I'm a firmly believe, if the paharmacies shared a database, they could reduce the doctor shopping, and perhaps prevent future overdoses. I almost wonder if they don't do it because they are greedy. This is tragic.
by Kyle
Oct 10, 2008 4:58 PM
I used to talk to Matt at the Lifestyle Family Fitness in Largo. He would even verbalize his struggles with strangers, almost as if to give a warning to others to not fall in the same trap. I knew right away there was something special about Matt.
by alan
Oct 10, 2008 4:57 PM
i myself is on the drug codone,, it helps alot and have been on it for a few yrs,, i still take my prescribe dose but have went up a notch not to bad for three yrs,, i let go from time to time to check out the pain,, still there ,,bummer, ya know.
by Allen
Oct 10, 2008 11:14 AM
My grandmother is dying of lung cancer and has a few months left. She needs OxyContin to get out of bed. My step brother Justin OD's a few years back. We need em but need em safe.
by John
Oct 9, 2008 8:26 PM
Having known Matt i think there is a lot in this story that is not being told. My prayers go out to his family. We will miss you BR. John H VMI 02
by Steve
Oct 9, 2008 12:02 PM
The makers of oxycontin were found guilty of lieing about the safety of this drug and fined over $600mil, yet they are still allowed to sell this terrible drug.
by Adrienne
Oct 9, 2008 10:03 AM
this just broke my heart :(
had so much going for him!
his addiction took over his dreams..
He has finally found peace.
God bless you!
by Wes
Oct 9, 2008 10:03 AM
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Very sorry to hear about Matt.
- fellow BR, VMI '02.
by gina
Oct 9, 2008 10:02 AM
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. I ALSO LOST MY SON LAST YEAR, NOT IN THE SAME WAY BUT THE PAIN OF LOSING A CHILD IS ONE OF NO OTHER. STAY STRONG AND REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD TIMES YOU ALL SHARED WITH HIM. MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR TIME OF PAIN.
by Ann
Oct 9, 2008 10:01 AM
I am so sorry for your loss. I agree with many of the other readers, this problem has been created by pharmacy companies and "bad" doctors. I have a child that is addicted to opiates and we are still trying to rehabilitate him.Don't ever giveup hope
by Jeff
Oct 9, 2008 10:00 AM
Sad story and truly a shame. While there is always some blame on the user there must also be blame placed on the doctors that facilitate it. We need to take this opiate addictions seriously because they are deadly. Throw the docs in jail.
by Rickster
Oct 9, 2008 9:59 AM
As someone who suffer from severe disc problems, I was on Methadone for a stretch.
Lasted only 12 days, I didn't like how it made me feel, and I was afraid of it.
Went back down to my old meds voluntarily and thankfully.
Methadone is trouble.
by CJEJAJ
Oct 9, 2008 9:58 AM
This story is repeating itself way to often! Sad , sorry about your loss..
by Johnnie
Oct 9, 2008 9:57 AM
It is always tragic when a young, intelligent Life is wasted. I have no clue as to why. My thoughts and symphathy go out to the family and pray that his passing will serve as an example to just say No!
by Carol
Oct 8, 2008 4:08 PM
How sad. The words from his family are ones that show they were proud and accepted him for his achievements and flaws. Quite noticeable that they love him dearly. God Bless you all and my heart goes out to you. May God heal your pain soon.
by Carol
Oct 8, 2008 4:08 PM
How sad. The words from his family are ones that show they were proud and accepted him for his achievements and flaws. Quite noticeable that they love him dearly. God Bless you all and my heart goes out to you. May God heal your pain soon.
by Linda
Oct 8, 2008 4:06 PM
I am so sorry for your lose, I to have a son who is 29 and has been on oxcy's for 5 years in and out of treatment. It is a true nightmare for my family too. The laws need to change to help people and get the Drs to loose there licence to practice.
by Mark
Oct 8, 2008 4:05 PM
just say no!!!
by Jessie
Oct 8, 2008 3:04 PM
First I offer up my ncondolences. Society needs to become aware of the opiate dependent epidemic that we are enountering. I too am an addict, clean almost 4, these doctors need to stop the unnecessary pain pill distribution, they are legal dealers!!!
by Robin
Oct 8, 2008 2:39 PM
As I read the story, it reminded me so much of my husband Billy. He died Dec 5, 2005, at 41. May God Bless your son, and I will say a prayer for all of you and for your beautiful son. I too know how painful it is, stay strong!
by Kelly
Oct 8, 2008 2:33 PM
I just saw Matthew several weeks ago and he was full of hope for his future. I truly feel for the loss his family must be enduring. Seminole High classmate.
by Brandon
Oct 8, 2008 2:33 PM
To the people who say things like overdosing is a victimless crime; this doesn't change the fact that this is a major issue in our society and affects not only the addict. It's the friends and families who suffer from this as well.
by Brandon
Oct 8, 2008 2:33 PM
Matt had many great qualities and was incredibly gifted. It's too bad he stuggle with this in his later years of life. I'll always remeber the great times we had and his wonderful personality.
by Angela
Oct 8, 2008 1:09 PM
To the Family:
My sincere condolences for your loss.
VMI '02 Classmate
by mom of oxy addict
Oct 8, 2008 1:08 PM
I am truly sorry for the loss of your son. Pain mgmt doctors and Oxycontin are evil. My 26 yr old son is an addict. I am prepared for the worst. He's already been close to death.
by Brittany
Oct 8, 2008 1:08 PM
So how many more people are we going to lose because no one seems to take these drugs seriously. I cant tell you how many people i know who do these pills, and ive even lost a few friends because of OD. All these doctors keep perscribing these pills.
by PATTI
Oct 8, 2008 1:08 PM
PUTTING YOUR DEEP PAINFUL STORY UP FRONT IS COURAGES.KNOWING YOUR FAMILY-I WANT EVERY ONE TO KNOW HOW WONDERFUL ,GOOD& KIND YOU ALL ARE-THIS DOES HAPPEN IN THE BEST OF LOVING SITUATIONS-RITA, MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY.MATT WAS THE SWEETEST
by Cynthia
Oct 8, 2008 1:07 PM
Check out "Intervention" on A&E televison. Good resource for help.
by Charlie
Oct 8, 2008 11:32 AM
I thought drugs were a victimless crime, like prostitution and gambling?
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