LIKE many 18-year-olds, Amanda Froggatt spends her days going to college and learning to drive.

But those tasks are much more difficult for her than most other teenagers.

Just before her second birthday, Amanda was diagnosed with a brain tumour and went through months of surgery and chemotherapy.

Sixteen years on she is still dealing with aftereffects of the tumour.

She suffers from physical and psychological problems, including learning difficulties, and she finds everyday tasks tiring.

Amanda, from Forest Town, near Mansfield, said: "Sometimes it can be a bit of a struggle at college and I can only do two-and-a-half days a week.

"I'm having driving lessons but I'm finding them difficult. I'm determined to do it though. I always say I will do things, even if it kills me."

This month is Brain Tumour Awareness Month and Amanda's mum and dad, Diane and Michael, want to raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours.

Diane said: "You don't hear much about brain tumours yet it's surprising how common they are.

"It needs to be publicised more and there needs to be a lot more support after treatment at hospital."

Talking about how Amanda's brain tumour was spotted, Diane said: " I suspected there was something not right with her right from her being a few weeks old.

"She was always crying and the cry sounded like she was in pain.

"At Christmas time, just before she was two, she kept waking up, being sick and crying, and held her head on one side."

Four different GPs saw Amanda but failed to recognise the symptoms as a possible brain tumour, so Diane and Michael took her to casualty at King's Mill Hospital.

Amanda was kept in overnight then taken to the Queen's Medical Centre to start her treatment.

Diane said: "She'd been so poorly we were relieved because we finally knew what we were dealing with, and that we were not just being paranoid.

"We were told she had three weeks to live if they couldn't operate.

"They then did a biopsy and we were told her chances of survival were very slim and that she could be severely brain damaged if they did operate."

The couple decided to give the go-ahead for surgery and Amanda had the tumour removed, then made a gradual, painful recovery.

"It was an absolute rollercoaster," said Diane.

There is still a small piece of the tumour left which could cause problems in the future, but Diane and Michael try not to look too far ahead.

Michael said: "She's never been given the all-clear. We live on a knife edge.

"She has done a lot of things most kids would never do; she's been to Lapland, in a hot air balloon and met countless celebrities.

"We don't know what the future holds so we do whatever we can for her."

Amanda's tumour has also made her determined to help others. Since the age of six she has raised money to send other children with serious illnesses on trips abroad and has featured in the Evening Post several times.

And at the age of nine she was given a Child of Achievement award for her work, and met pop bands Steps and Hearsay, TV presenters Dick and Dom, and former Prime Minister John Major.

Talking about her tumour, Amanda said: "There's still times when I wish I had never had it, but if I hadn't had it I wouldn't be me."

As part of Brain Tumour Awareness Month, Diane is now urging other people with symptoms such as headaches, sickness and drowsiness to visit their doctor.

"I would tell people to be persistent. If you aren't happy go to casualty and keep asking," she said.

"I do think GPs need educating more. They should be more aware of how to spot brain tumours."

Diane also wants improved support for people with brain tumours and their families.

Diane said: "There's no emotional support and it's had a massive financial impact on our family. It changes your life completely.

"But Amanda has brought us so much happiness. We've had a rough time but it's been worth it."

For more information and support on brain tumours go to www.braintumouruk.org.uk.

samantha.hughes@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk