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65 Briarwood Circle Worcester, MA 01606

84-Year Old Retired Doherty High School Teacher Reinvents Herself

DOT EDGINGTON WRITES A NOVEL ABOUT A HANDICAPPED BOY

After a highly successful career as a Physical Therapist at Duke University and at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases in London, England, Dot Edgington returned to Worcester in 1966 with her husband and four children. She took a position as physical education teacher at Doherty Memorial High School where she taught for 12 years. She returned to physical therapy until in 1992 when Dot “retired” to work as a Fitness Instructor at Briarwood Continuing Care Retirement Community. Dot recently became a resident of Briarwood.

Five years ago at age 79, Dot Edgington had a knee replacement and found she could no longer climb mountains. That was the turning point for Edgington, who decided to follow her passion of writing. “I timidly started to write and stuck my manuscripts at the bottom of my bureau,” says Edgington. “Recently I pulled them out for re-reading and discovered that there is no critic harsher than the bottom bureau drawer.” However, there are some survivors. Dot’s recently published book, A Gap in the Fence is one of them.

Dot developed a special love of those with Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy after many years of working with handicapped children. The novel focuses on this disorder. “The book was originally meant for children, says Edgington, but I hope adults will also be moved by the courage of my young hero.” Dot plans on hosting a book signing at Briarwood where residents and staff will continue to be inspired by this remarkable woman. “I would like the handicapped kids in the world to know that it is alright to dream. I would also like the retirement community to know that there is life after 65.” A Gap in the Fence can be obtained from lulu.com and will soon be available on Amazon.com.

Briarwood is a non-profit community that includes Independent Living cottages and apartments, Assisted Living apartments, and the Knollwood Nursing Center for skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.