dkeller@observer-reporter.com

Mitchell Day can walk into the kitchen and grab a glass to let his mom know he wants a drink or walk to the bathroom when his dad tells him it's time to go.

Nonverbal communication was always the norm for the Days and their brain-damaged son. But now, the almost 16-year-old has another way to communicate. At McGuire Memorial, where Mitchell lives and attends classes, he is learning to answer questions by pointing to or picking up cards that say yes and no.

His mother, Lindae Day, recently attended one of Mitchell's classes, where he answered questions like, "Is it raining?" and "Are you hungry?"

The methodology uses visual strategies and structures, said Kim Lieb, director of the school. They teach the students to work as independently as possible. Mitchell's communication specialist, Kristin Kelly, said the structure is what is helping him improve the most.

"We start off with prompting and wean them off of that so they can be as independent as possible," she said.

It's an effort that brings tears to Lindae's eyes.

"He's doing it with such success," said Lindae, who lives in Canonsburg with her husband, Brian. "It's incredible."

It's been a long journey for the Day family, which also includes daughter Chelsey, who is 19 and a student at California University of Pennsylvania.

Mitchell was born healthy, but a DPT shot when he was just months old caused brain damage and led to a severe seizure disorder, Lindae said. He's had part of his brain removed and numerous other surgeries, including one that resulted in problems with his spine that makes it difficult for him to walk.

Lindae was his primary caretaker until he was almost 12. He spent his first years of school at Trinity West Elementary, where she says students and staff were a godsend. She recalled taking him into school one day and having students high-fiving him as he went to class.

Eventually, the Days couldn't care for him. Lindae had to carry him piggyback down the steps of their home, and they were concerned that if he had a seizure both would go tumbling down the steps and be injured.

Then came the decision that Lindae describes as "wonderfully painful." They'd heard about McGuire Memorial from a friend who had a son there. McGuire Memorial is a residential facility that provides services for people with mental and physical disabilities that may include complex medical conditions and offers supportive services to their families and caregivers.

As soon as they visited, Lindae knew it was the place for Mitchell. She called it a mother's instinct. She said it's state of the art, with round-the-clock care and therapy.

"We're grateful and blessed by God that he's there," she said. "But it's painful to ensure his care to someone not his mother."

Located in New Brighton, Beaver County, it's run by Felician sisters and has a spiritual aspect.

"That made us feel better," Brian said.

Mitchell has been there almost four years and likely will stay there for as long as he lives.

For now, he's in school. But there's also an employment center for those who are older.

The couple credits the school for their son's progress.

"This is definitely our mission in life," Lindae said. "Some people go to Guatemala. Our mission is an hour away."

The couple is spearheading a fundraising project for the school by selling bracelets made by a friend that say "McGuire Kids "

Chelsey's sorority bought 300. The couple has already sold about 2,500, but the goal is 10,000 bracelets, raising $20,000 for McGuire.

The money will go to educational programming at the school. The school trained staff on the program this year. The additional money will help the school pay for more training and more equipment, Lieb said.

"How many more kids could benefit? That's what's exciting," Brian said.

To buy bracelets, e-mail Brian Day at brday1305@comcast.net.

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