This is the picture from the Middlesex News
March 18th, 1998
March of Dimes Ambassador family

Oh by the way..... Andrew doesn't suffer........Susete

Family shares, hopes to inspire

By Teri Borseti
NEWS correspondent

MILFORD - Andrew Callahan was just 18 hours old when he had his first operation. Born with spina bifida, the infant needed the surgery to close his back to protect an exposed spinal cord that popped out when he cried. The operation would be just one of five he has already had in his short life. Not long after his first surgery, he developed a high fever accompanied with vomiting and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. Another operation was performed to install a shunt - or surgically created channel - in his head. He was only 3 weeks old. With a lot of medical care already under his belt, the Bellingham resident is now just 2 years old. Andrew's parents, Patrick and Susete Callahan, found out their baby was going to be born with spina bifida when Susete was just 16 weeks pregnant. When doctors told the couple they could opt to abort the pregnancy, they said it was out of the question. "One of the first things 1 did was to contact the March of Dimes and they sent me a whole package of information with names of contacts like the Mass Spinal Bifida Association," said Susete Callahan, "With something like this, the more you know, the less you're afraid."

As the local March of Dimes Ambassador family, the Callahans were guest speakers at the March of Dimes Walk America fund-raiser kickoff in the Courtyard Marriott on Wednesday. By sharing their story, the Callahans hope to inspire people of all ages to participate in the nation's first and biggest charity this spring.

This year the March of Dimes is celebrating its 60th anniversary. On April 26, for the 28th consecutive year, millions of people across America will be walking to prevent birth defects. In Massachusetts, 24 walks will take place. March of Dimes Division Director Janice Haigh said the Milford area raised more than $16,000 last year by walking 6.2 miles. Every year residents and corporations enlist friends and family as sponsors and raise millions of dollars. Possibly best known for helping to wipe out polio, the charitable organization has also provided funding for the development of neonatal intensive care units that help save the lives of hundreds of premature infants born every year. It also is responsible for raising public awareness of the importance of folic acid in expectant mothers. "We deal with any type of birth defects and believe all babies should have a healthy start in life," Haigh said. Throughout Milford and surrounding towns, corporations, businesses and retail establishments are busy forming teams that will walk together on what is hoped will be a beautiful spring day. Judy Ayotte said she is lucky to be in a position to recruit a lot of walkers. The owner of Active Woman Health Club in Milford said she intends to take advantage of her health conscious club members. "I'm a mother and I have two healthy kids. My club is for women only and we have all been around babies at one time or another. We're all either mothers or aunts," she said. "Last year we raised almost $4,000. So this year, the goal is $4,000. I ask everyone in the club. It's for a good cause."

Without the March of Dimes, the Callahan family doesn't know what they would have done. "Even 20 years ago, Andrew might not have had a chance," dad Patrick said. "We know he'll probably always have bladder and bowel control problems and some developmental delays, but as he grows, so will technology, thanks to March of Dimes."

****They re-worded or didn't add a lot of what we told them ****

This is the picture from the Milford Daily News

No story was written--just this picture

Picture #1 --I was telling the story of my pregnancy with Andrew
Picture #2 is at the dinner, after the speeches.
It was a great night for all of us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this,
we are very proud of Andrew and are always willing to try
to help others understand about Spina Bifida!