Only a few months after the first photo was taken Dan was being treated for cancer of the femur. His story is a truly remarkable one of a long and successful battle against the disease which, with God's healing grace, he has won!
Hello friends! I recently accompanied Barry on a sailing voyage on his yacht. It was an amazing experience, full of laughter and excitement! I was given the opportunity to helm (steer) the yacht and it was brilliant. During the expedition Barry suggested I give him an update for the website which I thought would be a great idea so let me tell you what's been happening.
First of all let me thank you for all your faithful prayers over the years: it is because of all your prayers that I'm alive today. So I sincerely thank you! Where to begin? Well I'm the fittest and healthiest that I've ever been; an amazing blessing, and one for which I'm truly thankful.
All the time off school hasn't really affected my education; thanks to the great support I got from the school I completed my 5th year with ABBB in Higher Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths. My chemistry was a crash Higher which was a great challenge but in the end was very rewarding and worth while. I went into 6th year, where I was elected as a prefect and the president of the school's Interact Club (Junior Rotary Club). I was given the responsibilities of chairing board meetings and organising different events to raise money for local and international charities. Also some friends and I set up a basketball team which grew and grew and became recognised by the teachers. As a result we were given their support in getting some strips, expensive balls and finally a coach. I was named captain of the team and we did pretty well in the league. Don't tell the doctors!!!
I felt really privileged to be appointed to these positions but soon I began to lose the passion for 6th year. I realised I was ready for independence and I really didn't need to stay on. As I was accepted into Aberdeen University with my 5th year Highers, I didn't really need my Advanced Highers in Chemistry and Biology; they would have been useful at uni but they weren't necessary. When I heard all the amazing things that were happening up in Aberdeen with the church and the youth group, I became quite frustrated back home.
After much hard thinking I came to the decision to leave home and get settled in up in Aberdeen, get a job and get my self established ready for university where I'll be studying Biomedical Science. It's a course that covers pretty much everything to do with the human body. I'm not quite sure what I will do with it yet but live by faith and we'll see what happens! I'm quite excited!
So here I am, back home in windy Aberdeen! I'm staying with my brother, Andy, in the "Pratt Flat" and so far it's been great!
At the moment I'm looking for a job, I've sent out application forms to ASDA, Somerfield, Costa and Subway and I'm just waiting and praying patiently that God will provide.
In the mean time, I'm getting settled back into the church and youth group - both are such blessings and I never realised how much I took them for granted when I was away. So it is brilliant to be back. I've been playing the drums for three or four years now and have just started to play in the church services which is brilliant. There's so much talent in the worship group so its a privilege to play along side them.
Thanks again, for all your prayers and support. May God bless you all,
Dan Pratt
Andy Dan Jonny. Dan
At Peterhead Bay in June 1999 when the three brothers were on a Dinghy sailing course
The Pratt family June 2004
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