The teenage girl overjoyed to have her leg amputated

* TIA LEIGH, 14, HAS THE GENETIC DISORDER NEUROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE 1 (NF1) * CONDITION CAUSES LUMPY, OR BUMP-LIKE TUMOURS TO GROW ALONG THE NERVES  * NF1 MADE HER RIGHT LEG VERY SWOLLEN AND

LUMPY AND SHE STRUGGLED TO MOVE * LAST YEAR SHE TOOK BRAVE DECISION TO HAVE AMPUTATION AND USE A PROSTHETIC By ANNA HODGEKISS FOR MAILONLINE Published: 06:37 EDT, 27 January 2016 | Updated:

07:58 EDT, 27 January 2016 A teenage girl who begged to have her leg amputated after it swelled to three times the size of the other has spoken of her joy at finally having it removed. Tia

Leigh, 14, was diagnosed with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 as a baby. The condition causes bump-like tumours to grow along the nerves and is usually diagnosed when

coffee-coloured birthmarks, or sunspots, appear on the skin. For Tia, NF1 made her right leg hugely swollen and lumpy - and 7cm longer than her left. As a result, the teenager, from Cwmbran,

Wales, was barely able to walk - and struggled to wear matching footwear. And after amputating the limb last year, doctors discovered it contained thousands of these tiny tumours.  Though

the lumps, called fibromas in her leg were not yet cancerous, there was a risk that they could become malignant at any time - prompting doctors to operate last summer. Tia's mother

Lindsey, 31, said: 'I wasn't shocked when Tia first said she wanted an amputation, as I knew it was for the best. 'I always worried what would happen as she reached adulthood

if her leg continued to swell. 'She hated her leg and it left her so uncomfortable, she wouldn't wear dresses and couldn't fit into jeans, so she was always wearing joggers.

'Her foot was like a big, fatty sponge and we got her some shoes the Christmas before last but she couldn't even wear them.  'At her worst, one foot was a children's size

three and the other a size seven.' Although the fibromas were harmless at first, doctors revealed last year that one of them had grown by 3mm - forcing Tia to make a decision about

surgery. Her mother explained: 'In January last year they found a malignancy behind her knee.  Her leg was absolutely huge compared to the other one, full of thousands of tumours, and

you couldn't even see her ankle bone. 'I was pleased that she came to the decision to have an amputation, but we were told it wasn't an option.   'When we phoned to make

the appointment, we suddenly only had eight days to prepare. Tia was all for it, but I was very nervous.  'The worst part was taking her down to theatre, knowing they were going to chop

her leg off.' Tia spent seven days in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Middlesex. And just two days after the operation she was taking steps with her crutches. Mrs Leigh

added: 'She had a fantastic wheelchair donated by the Prince's Gate Trust, we were so touched by their generosity.  'She's done so well since the operation and I

don't think she misses her leg at all. 'She named her stump Percy and was very open about it. The first time she had a proper bath, it was floating so she made a video of it!

'She's been through so much for a teenager, we're really proud of her.' Tia was diagnosed with NF1 at nine weeks old and it was later discovered that her father, whom she

no longer sees, also had the condition. She has also been blind in one eye from birth as a result of NF1 and is registered disabled, but attends a mainstream school with her 12-year-old

sister Sofie.  Now, she is adjusting to life with her prosthetic leg. 'She finds the physio hard work but she got her prosthetic fitted in November and wears it every day for

school,' Mrs Leigh said.  'This Christmas, she was over the moon when we bought her some Ugg boots, Converse and Adidas trainers,' 'It's the first time she's

been able to wear the same shoes as her friends. We always try and look at the positives.'