Hours each day in an iron lung kept her breathing, her will to live kept her alive
Martha Lillard, the last known US polio patient to rely on an iron lung, has passed away at age 78. Her life story highlights both the resilience of polio survivors and the long-term medical challenges associated with the disease.
Why it matters
It serves as a historical touchstone for the impact of polio and the evolution of medical technology for respiratory support.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Ana Faguy Cindy McVey Handout Martha Lillard did not feel uncomfortable in the iron lung, the way other children with polio did, her sister said Martha Lillard was the last polio patient in the US who used an iron lung but her family told the BBC she never let it slow her down.
The article is a respectful biographical piece about a public health figure.
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