THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 19, 2023 ~ The Advocate Asks ~ Page 3 Midge Dawicki talks about how’s she been able to enjoy life 18 years after a freak accident left her a quadriplegic Editor’s Note: For this week’s column, we interviewed Midge Dawicki, a 73-year-old Saugus woman who has dedicated her life to helping others over the adversity of spinal injuries like the one that left her paralyzed and without the use of her hands and legs. Dawicki grew up in Chelsea and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Cambridge in 1967. She moved to Saugus 45 years ago. All four of her adult children went through the local education system and graduated from Saugus High School. Prior to a crippling accident on the deck of her home, she was an avid motorcyclist and played the guitar. She also played the piano. She worked as an executive assistant for three chief justices in the Massachusetts Trial Court at 2 Center Plaza in Boston for 35 years. She has spent 10 years as a Board Member of the Saugus Disability Commission. She’s vice president of the Board of Directors for the Disability Resource Center in Salem. She’s also on the Board of Directors for the Greater Boston Chapter of the Spinal Injury Association. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: What is significant about the date, April 26, 2005? A: I call April 26 “My celebration of Life Day,” because I’m still here. I’m still alive and God knows why. Q: Please tell me what happened that day. A: I was 55 years old when the accident happened. I was home from work that day. Q: Please tell me about your early days. A: I graduated from High School and went to MassBay Community College and studied secretarial skills. After I graduated, I got a job in the courthouse as a stenogADVOCATE ASKS| SEE PAGE 8 9 QUEEN FOR A DAY: Midge Dawicki (right) and Rick Riley were among more than 100 people who attended the St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon at the Saugus Senior Center back in March when she was honored as the St. Patrick’s Day Queen. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) I was sitting on the porch. I got some scissors and started to cut the vegetation on the porch. I leaned on the top railing, and it broke five and a half feet off the ground, and I hit my chin and broke my neck. I didn’t put my hands out because I was afraid to get cut by the scissors. If I put my hands out, I would have broken the fall. Everything happens for a reason. Q: And you got paralyzed in that accident? A: Yes. I became a quadriplegic. I have no use of my hands and I have no feeling from the breastbone down. It was just a freak accident. It shows you how life changes in an instant. Q: You seem to have a positive outlook despite that terrible accident. A: I have to. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. I have to have a positive attitude and live one day at a time. Q: What do you credit for that good attitude? A: You can’t sit back and say, “Why did this happen to me?” You can’t think about or dwell on things you can’t do. I have my family and friends, and that keeps me going. My children are ages 52, 51, 48, 44 – three girls and one boy. And I have 11 grandchildren, from 24 to five. They’re wonderful. I consider myself lucky. 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut St. We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-8 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Wednesday Thursday Friday Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Private Parties Private Parties 4-11 p.m. Saturday 12-11 p.m. $9.00 $9.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com
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