Trumpeter, swimmer keeps his options open

Yuri Day

Yuri Day has turned a unique disability into an even more unique talent. He was born without his right femur, essentially leaving him using his knee as though it were his hip. But because his leg is short and flexible, Yuri has been able to train himself to use his toes to write, cut with scissors, draw and move the valves while he plays his trumpet. He is active in band, on the local swim team and in the Boy Scouts.

Name of High School: Klein High School
Student Name: Yuri Day
Age: 16
Grade: 9
Accomplishments: Neighborhood Swim Team, plays the trumpet in band, has been a member of the Boy Scouts.
Favorite Class: "Band because it's got a lot of great things about it. During the beginning of the year, it's got a marching season -- we start a few weeks before the school year and it's good to know everybody. It's a great place to hang out and have fun. It's fun to play music."
Favorite things to do after class: "I like to swim. It's just a great way to get loose, and it feel great to be in the water because there's no gravity pulling down telling me I have physical differences. I feel like I'm free in the water."
Favorite website:  Facebook
Favorite TV Show:  "I'm into 'Bones' because it's very exciting and very mischievous. It's got loopholes, things that could be, but they're not. At the end, you get to find out who the murderer was. It's just a great show to help me unwind after a hard day."
Favorite Book: " 'Soul Surfer' by Bethany Hamilton. Her story is very inspirational. She is the surfer who was bit by the shark. She still surfs."
Ambition: "I really don't know. I'm just going a day at a time. I plan to go to college, and I plan to finish high school, but I really don't know what I'm going to be."