SWNS
Beth Woodford, 17, first blacked out two years ago without warning, baffling doctors who were unable to diagnose her condition. But 24 months on and doctors have still been unable to get to the root of the problem and hope that the condition will wear off as Beth gets older.
Beth, from Catterline, Aberdeenshire, loses consciousness at any time of the day and will not wake up until a hour later.
Reflecting on the first time she fainted, Beth says it was 'scary', but it is now something she accepts as a normal part of her life:
"The worst thing was that I had no warning. I am getting better though."
Her mum, Amanda, says after months of tests, doctors reckon Beth will grow out of the condition, although her daughter has coped remarkably since it first happened:
"They have ruled out everything obvious it could be. They seem to think it's something she will grow out of. Beth would end up missing half the school day. She has never complained though and has always insisted on going in to school every day.
"Her teachers have been fantastic and they keep her safe until she wakes up again."
Brainy Beth has not let the spells of fainting get the better of her, being elected as head girl of Lathallan School in Johnshaven and achieving two As and three Bs in her Higher exams.
And she has secured a place at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh to study maths in the autumn.
Last year, Amanda entered Beth into a nationwide awards competition run by Stagecoach Theatre Arts which celebrates the achievements of youngsters who have had to face adversity.
Beth won an award and was invited to London last week to collect her prize.
Members of the production team and the cast from Roald Dahl's Matilda:The Musical gave Beth her award backstage at the Cambridge Theatre, in the West End.
Amanda says she's so proud of her daughter's achievements, saying: "Despite missing an awful lot of school, Beth's done so well and I'm so proud of her.
Words: Will Lyon at SWNS
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