Lessons I Learned From My Dad: Dying Father Leaves Video Messages For Daughter

A dying father who suffers from motor neurone disease has left a series of video messages for his three-year-old daughter to remember him by.

Ian Pratt, 44, was diagnosed with the degenerative disease five years ago and claims his first thought was of Georgiana.

“My biggest fear when I was diagnosed was: ‘Will George remember me? Will she know who I was?’”

Ian’s original prognosis was between three and five years but he is determined to be there for George, even if it’s only on video.

“I wanted something she could look back on when she needed to hear me because I’m not going to be around for her,” the former accountant told the Daily Mail.

Here are some of Ian’s lessons that he won’t be around to teach little George.

On love…
“Don’t settle for the first person who comes along because he might be a charmer, but he probably won’t be the man you’ll marry.”

“I told her that she needs to have her heart broken a few times. But when the right person comes along, she’ll know he’s right.”

On money…
“I’ve worked in finance all my life and I’ve seen how much trouble people can get into. So, I’ve shown her how to draw up a budget and given her advice.”

It’s okay to blow some of your savings on travelling and adventure, but be careful with the rest.

If you’re struggling with money, freeze your credit card in a block of ice. In the time it takes to thaw it out you can rethink that purchase.

On work…
You might have to make a lot of cups of tea when you start out, don’t expect to go straight to the top. “She must learn from her seniors. Hopefully, they will help and guide her.”

On life…
Don’t settle down too early. “It’s really important to see something of life. It makes you wiser.”

Whatever problems you might be having, speak to your mum. She’ll never judge you.

On friends…
Make lots of friends, they become like you’re extended family. “I told her to have different types of friends who will all help her in different ways and to never say anything she might regret to them, because once it has been said you can never take it back.”

On her arrival…
“The hardest video I’ve done so far is telling her about her arrival. How much she was wanted. How much she is loved.”

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