The family of a young girl who is only one in a million to suffer from a rare condition is appealing for help.

Emmie Gizatullin, who is four, suffers from a form of skeletal dysplasia which means she is the size of a nine-month-old youngster.

She also has a cleft palate, club feet, is non-verbal and wears hearing aids and strong glasses.

Her family have been told she is not expected to live past the age of ten.

But despite her physical disabilities, Emmie can use a communication device to talk to her family and she enjoys singing.

Her devoted family has appealed for help to make her life as fulfilled as possible and is hoping to raise £50,000 to pay for adaptations for their house and fund physiotherapy and hydrotherapy treatment.

Read more:

• Dad's call for more support for severely disabled children

• Colchester four-year-old defies medics for ten mile fundraiser

• Colchester support worker taking on skydive for Livability Treetops

Money raised will allow Emmie to move around the house more easily and receive private medical treatment.

Her mother Hannah Gizatullin, 41, said: “Our main focus is raising money to adapt our house to include a lift, adapted bathroom and a room big enough for her specialist bed.

“We would also really like to make it possible for her to get in and out of the garden and be able to move around it so that she can play.

“She needs private physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to help with her joint pain and to help her move better.

“Without the surgeries which are considered too dangerous by her medical team, she will likely lose use of her limbs and possibly her sight.”

The family has already raised £13,000 towards their target but is holding more fundraisers.

A Christmas with the Choir event is taking place on Thursday December 23, will be held at The Crown Pub in Wormingford.

The family is also holding a Christmas raffle as a fundraiser with hampers, wine, beauty products and a photography session as the potential prizes for winners.

It is getting support from the children’s charity Tree of Hope.

Gill Gibb, Tree of Hope chief executive officer, said: “It’s great to see Emmie’s family have so much support and we wish them all the best with their fundraising.”

Donations to Emmie’s fund can be made via www.treeofhope.org.uk/my-little-sister-emmie.