IMO, since you have a definite format you expect from users (MM\DD\YYYY) why not do a simple split and dig your hit:
string arbitDate = "4/3/2014";
string UsersFirstDay = arbitDate.Trim().Split(new String[] { "/" }, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries)[1].Trim();//index 1 is the DD part - according to your format
UsersFirstDay = (UsersFirstDay == "1") ? UsersFirstDay : "1";