About US

THE FOUNDER

About Pat Day-McCray

Transforming Life’s Hardest Moments into Stories of Healing, Strength, and Grace

Pat Day-McCray is the founder of Medically Inspired Reading About Challenging Life Experiences (MIRACLE) Online Bookstore, a mission inspired by the life and legacy of her daughter, Alicia Y. Day, who passed away from complications of Short Bowel Syndrome.

Alicia’s medical condition left her visibly different, drawing curious stares, painful questions, and unspoken discomfort from children and adults alike. Witnessing this, Pat was left asking herself life-changing questions:

• How can I help families talk openly and honestly with their children about difficult topics without creating fear?

• How can I help parents address the questions, comments, and stares their children face in a way that builds confidence, not shame?

• How can I foster greater acceptance for children living with differences—within their homes, schools, and communities?

Out of these heartfelt questions, MIRACLE Online Bookstore was born. Through carefully selected books, MIRACLE helps children understand emotional, mental, and physical health challenges—fostering acceptance, building self-esteem, reducing bullying, and nurturing empathy. These stories are valuable resources for parents, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders who want to create safe spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

MIRACLE also inspires children to become Youth Advocacy Ambassadors (YAA)—empowering them to stand up for inclusion, kindness, and compassion in their schools and communities.

In addition to MIRACLE, Pat leads PDM Journey Coaching, LLC (www.pdmjourneycoaching.com), offering coaching workshops for adults, parents, and guardians who are navigating caregiving, advocacy, or grief. She also founded A Pathway From Grief (www.apathwayfromgrief.com), a nonprofit providing grief support, parenting skills, and violence prevention for underserved communities. Pat is also the inventor of Therapeutic Dolls, an innovative tool designed to help children better understand medical procedures and participate in their care.

Despite her struggles with stuttering and an early reluctance to speak publicly, Pat continues to deliver impactful workshops and presentations that have inspired and empowered countless women, families, and communities. As a divorced mother of three thriving adult children, she credits her creativity, resilience, and strength to her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

Pat often says:
“My daughter’s life gave me joy, but her death gave me purpose.”

Today, through MIRACLE, coaching, and community outreach, Pat helps children accept themselves, families heal, and communities grow in empathy and grace—one story, one conversation, and one life at a time.

our mission, vision, values, & goals

Our Mission

We offer carefully selected books that promote acceptance, understanding, and inclusion of emotional, mental, and physical differences among children.

Our mission is to empower young individuals to embrace their unique qualities, build self-confidence, and live their lives to their fullest potential—while helping parents, educators, and communities create safe spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a world where every child can grow into a confident, compassionate, and productive adult—free from the emotional, mental, and physical scars caused by stares, judgment, verbal abuse, and mistreatment.

We strive to foster environments where kindness, acceptance, and understanding are the norm, allowing all children to thrive as their authentic selves.

Our Values

At MIRACLE, our work is guided by these core values:

• Promoting Acceptance
  We foster a culture of acceptance that celebrates and honors the emotional, mental, and physical differences of every child.

• Believing in Change
  We believe in the power of change to positively transform the lives of children and families facing life’s toughest challenges.

• Serving Communities
  We are dedicated to serving and supporting our communities by addressing the needs of children, parents, guardians, and caregivers.

• Strengthening Pathways for New Leaders
  We aim to empower and inspire the next generation of compassionate leaders by providing tools, resources, and opportunities to make a difference.

• Ambassadors for Kindness over Bullies
  We actively advocate for kindness, empathy, and inclusion—encouraging children to become Ambassadors for Kindness and helping to create a world where bullying is no longer tolerated.

 Our Goals

 At MIRACLE, our goals are driven by our ‘5 E’s’—the guiding principles that shape our mission and inspire positive change:

• Empowering Parents
  We equip parents with the confidence, language, and tools to have honest, compassionate conversations with their children about medical illnesses, conditions, and life challenges.

• Educating Families
  We help families overcome negative emotions such as anger, rebellion, rejection, and resentment—fostering teamwork, unity, and emotional resilience within the home.

• Encouraging Acceptance
  We work to create inclusive environments where peers, educators, and community members promote acceptance, kindness, and belonging—ensuring every child feels embraced and valued.

• Embracing Conditions
  We encourage children and families to embrace their circumstances with dignity, pride, and understanding—helping children face life’s challenges with strength and a positive mindset.

• Ending Bullying & Promoting Advocacy
  We are committed to ending bullying and harassment while inspiring the rise of Youth Advocacy Ambassadors (YAA)—young leaders who promote kindness, inclusion, and stand up for those navigating medical illnesses or visible differences.