Feature Article on Stuff's 'Essential Mums'

by Megan Miller

Evie Callander lived a short life in which she would never walk, talk, or even eat solid food.
But she had super powers. "She was just a little bit magic," Evie's mum, Rachel Callander, said. "She had these deep, wise eyes and everyone just fell in love with her. They knew that she was special." And she was. She was special for her warm giggle and her love of adventure, pushing herself around the floor of their home to explore. But Evie was also special for another reason. She was born with a rare chromosomal condition that set her apart.
In her 2½ years, Evie taught her parents, Rachel and Sam Callander, of Timaru, and many others who knew her, to love and communicate in ways they'd never known were possible. Now the Callanders have set out to complete the journey that Evie began, to show New Zealand - and maybe even the world - that their daughter and children like her are extraordinary. Read the full article