Girl, 9, who could only communicate through her eyes after suddenly collapsing at home due to terminal brain tumour tragically dies
- Abigail Johnston, nine, could only use eyes to communicate after brain tumour
- She had defied doctors’ fears to live months after terminal condition was found
- But she died on Christmas Day, her father revealed in emotional tribute
A little girl who could only communicate with her eyes after collapsing with a previously undiagnosed brain tumour has died.
Abigail Johnston, nine, had been a ‘generally fit and well child’ before it happened in September last year.
She was rushed to hospital from her house in Norris Green, Liverpool, where doctors said she had a bleed on the brain.
Further tests then revealed she had a very aggressive and terminal tumour and she had been living at Clare House Hospice.
Abigail died in the early hours of Christmas Day, her family revealed in an emotional tribute.
Father Shaun said: ‘Abbi passed away shortly after Santa visited her and left all her presents at Clare House in the early hours of Christmas morning.
‘Abbi was a kind, caring, loving and intelligent young lady, with a mischievous side and the most beautiful cheesy smile.
Abigail Johnston, nine, had died on Christmas Day after collapsing in September last year
‘She left behind a heartbroken family including dad Shaun, mum becky and her siblings Emily 17, Big Jasmine 20 and Little Jasmin, 9. And all of her nans, aunties, uncles and cousins.’
He added to the Liverpool Echo: ‘Once again we would like to thank Alder Hey hospital for the care and amazing support throughout.
‘And Claire House for making her last three weeks as magical as it could be and not just looking after Abbi,but myself, Becky and Jas too.’
Abigail had fallen ill after a normal summer enjoying her holidays with her family.
Father Shaun said the little girl had ‘left behind a heartbroken family’ after she had died
Her father told how Abigail – who he called Abbi – had ‘the most beautiful cheesy smile’
She had returned to school and had been watching television with her sister before she suddenly collapsed.
At first doctors at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital had predicted she may only have had hours to live.
The locked in syndrome she had meant she was fully aware of her surroundings but could not talk or move.
It meant she needed 24-hour care and could only communicate by moving her eye to signal yes or no.
Her tumour was very aggressive but practically undetectable.