Brother’s way brings smiles for a ‘Day’ or two
by Tina Cole-Mullins
Brothers Brandon and Kyle Day undoubtedly share a special friendship.
“Brandon has always had a special big-brother bond with Kyle. He would always go out of his way, along with his friends, to include Kyle in their activities, no matter what they do,” said their mother, Amber Day. “But I’ve got to say I am a proud mom.”
The Day family joined the community last year. Brandon, then a junior, enrolled in Stockbridge. Kyle, 13, enrolled at Heartwood in Mason. Kyle is challenged by autism and a brain tumor. He deals with seizures that are under treatment and stable at this time.
Now as a senior, Brandon garnered the attention of numerous college recruiters. He’s receiving letters of interest and information from many colleges and universities.
In noticing all the mail Brandon was receiving, Kyle began showing his excitement and looking forward to getting similar pieces of mail. But Brandon knew it was not something in his brother’s foreseeable future. He started to wonder if it would be possible for the schools to send Kyle a letter, also.
“Being me, I get a lot of college mail and my brother has taken notice,” Brandon said. This gave the big brother the idea to include his own letter of interest and special request in responses to a narrowed-down a list of some 20 colleges that could be in his future.
It was not long before the schools took notice of Brandon’s request, going above and beyond with their mail responses. Columbia even offered to send a birthday gift, as well.
Their mother soon became aware of Brandon’s plans to include his younger brother in this exciting time.
“In what seemed like any other day, with the boys laughing and talking in the other room about colleges, I told him he was going to miss this when he was gone,” Amber Day said. “The next day or so he showed me the email he had sent out in his reply to Columbia College of Missouri.”
But Brandon went out of his way and found another way to include Kyle in his college exploration. The brothers shared experiences as Kyle also observed Ohio Northern University, New York University, Trine University and Olivet College.
In writing to the schools, Brandon’s request was simple and ended with a heartfelt plea.
“He’d love it (and it) would definitely make him feel special and smile, which my mom and I both love to see,” he wrote.
Others now plan to brighten Kyle’s day with special messages and cards.
If you would like to join project “Make Kyle Smile,” send a special note or card to the teen at:
Kyle Day
c/o Michelle Price
4351 Brogan Road
Stockbridge, MI 49285
Kyle wants to become a veterinarian. He likes animals, the outdoors, basketball, football and WWE wrestling.
“Nothing is as hard as letting go of your child as they grow up.” Mom emotionally shares the realization Brandon’s top schools of interest are out of state. Photo Credit: Amber Day
Photo Credit: Amber Day
Photo Credit: Amber Day
“Brandon Day, what a great idea you had.” Mom Amber share’s on her Facebook page. Photo Credit: Amber Day – Brandon & Kyle Day
On July 11 and excited Kyle receives his first college mail care package including a T-shirt from University of Findlay in Ohio. Photo Credit: Amber Day
