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. Despite her lifelong dependence on the machine, she maintained an active life, pursuing painting and driving.
Why it matters
Her life serves as a historical touchstone for the polio era and highlights the resilience of patients living with long-term medical technology.
Image source, Cindy McVey Handout Image caption, Martha Lillard's sister said her sister had limited photos in the iron lung as she did not like being photographed in her bed
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.
Even with the large metal device encircling her body for hours each day for most of her life, Lillard found a way to drive a vehicle, took up painting and cared for her beloved beagles.
"[Lillard] was resilient, she would find a way, or make do," her younger sister, Cindy McVey, said.
The Oklahoma resident passed away at the age of 78 late last month. While her official cause of death was listed as post-polio syndrome and chronic pulmonary failure, McVey attributes her sister's death to the effects of long Covid-19.
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