A FILM following a six-year-old Okehampton girl living with a devastating condition which sees her suffering 100 seizures a week has been shortlisted for an award.

A film following little Paige Slocombe, who has Dravet’s Syndrome, and mum Sam over one week has been shortlisted for the Rare Film Festival’s ‘people’s vote’ award.Votes are invited before 12 noon on Friday (February 28) for the film, which was created by Red Goat Productions for the charity Dravet UK.

The charity has supported the Slocombe family since Paige was diagnosed with the rare and serious form of epilepsy at the age of just seven months.

Paige’s mum Sam said: ‘There were 50 films submitted and 18 films were shortlisted. We are 100 votes behind first place at the moment and we were first place until yesterday so we just need a few more votes to get us back into the lead.

‘For us, it is about raising awareness for the charity more than actually winning the vote, because they have done so much for us. I honestly don’t think we could have got through the first 12 months after Paige’s diagnosis without them.’

Paige was diagnosed after suffering seizures which saw her repeatedly end up on life-support in hospital. Her condition, which is life-limiting, requires medication and monitoring at night. She has also been resuscitated a number of times by air ambulance crews.

‘We live every day like it could be her last, we make the most of every second we have with her, knowing it could be taken away from us in an instant,’ said her mum. ‘She is the strongest, bravest person I know.’

Dravet UK’s director Helen Evans said: ‘We’re incredibly grateful to Paige and her family for making this film and helping to raise awareness about Dravet Syndrome. Currently there is no cure for this life-limiting neurological condition and new treatments are desperately needed. Winning this award would mean so much to the families we support, as we shine a spotlight on their daily struggles living with this devastating condition.’

The film about Paige can be viewed alongside the other shortlisted films on charity Rare Disease UK’s website www.raredisease.org.uk/rarefilmfestival/peopleschoiceaward with a simple click to vote. The closing date is noon on Friday (February 28) and the winner will be announced on Saturday.