A small gesture from her neighbours could drastically change Abigail's Christmas this year.

Abigail Mallon, from Brodrick Grove, Abbey Wood, was born with an "one in a million" condition called alternating hemiplegia of childhood.

Known as AHC, the condition is a rare neurological disorder that causes attacks ranging from spells of weakness to complete paralysis.

Abigail's longest episode lasted for 32 days.

Paired with autism and epilepsy, nine-year-old Abigail’s condition makes it hard to take her out during the winter months, which are noisy and can be overstimulating due to flashing Christmas decorations which can trigger an attack.

The attacks are impossible to predict and appear like strokes - Abigail loses control of her arms and legs.

Her parents, Gavin and Emma, 40, are now trying to show how a little gesture can make the world of difference for their family.

Mr Mallon said: "We love Christmas as much as anyone, and Abigail is excited for it. But, such a small gesture would make all the difference for us, and it would make Abigail's Christmas.

"We can't take her out as much, and we wouldn't have to be watching out around every corner.

"Once it gets to about half past three, we can't take her out. One of our neighbours picks our son up from school, because we would have to be looking out for the lights."

Flashing lights can trigger Abigail's seizures, and Gavin said switching the lights to static, or even off, during the day would improve Abigail's quality of life.

The condition can be life-threatening, and in February this year Abigail's parents thought they had lost her.

Mum Emma said: "We didn't get a Christmas last year and we nearly lost her in February. This year we want to make sure she enjoys it."

There are only around 600 AHC sufferers in the world, making it difficult for people to understand Abigail’s condition.

Mr Mallon said: "She won't grow out of this. This is her life and it is our life, and having lights off would be better than any present she could receive.

"It's something you might not even consider - you never notice it until it is something you have to think about, but for our family, it would make a difference."

Abigail, along with her brother Hugh, are looking forward to Christmas.

Mr Mallon said: "The lights have a knock on effect on Abigail, and it means we could take her out more during this special time of year."