iron lung

A 78-year-old woman who was the last polio survivor living in an iron lung died after the 1940s machine that kept her alive broke down and could not be repaired.

Martha Lillard, an Oklahoma woman and the last U.S. polio patient to use an iron lung, has died at 78. Her sister Cindy McVey noted doctors initially told her she would not live past 20 years old.

Martha Lillard, the last U.S. polio patient who used an iron lung, died at 78 in Oklahoma. Diagnosed with polio at age 5, she relied on the machine to breathe and lived independently, overcoming significant challenges. Her sister attributed her death to long-haul COVID-19 effects.

Martha Lillard, the last U.S. polio patient to use an iron lung, died at 78 in Oklahoma. Diagnosed with polio at age 5, she relied on the machine to breathe and overcame significant challenges to attend school, drive, and live independently. Her sister attributed her death to long-haul effects of COVID-19.

Martha Lillard, the last U.S. polio patient using an iron lung, died at 78 in Oklahoma. The article confirms her death and her status as the final U.S. polio patient requiring an iron lung.

Martha Lillard, the last U.S. polio patient to use an iron lung, died at 78 in Oklahoma. She lived with the disease since age 5, relied on the iron lung for breathing, and faced challenges with limited lung capacity exacerbated by long-haul COVID-19. She married Baha Salh after meeting online and maintained an active, creative life despite her condition.

Martha Lillard, the last U.S. polio patient who relied on an iron lung, died at 78 in Oklahoma. Her sister attributed her death to long-haul COVID-19 effects, and she was remembered for her resilience, creativity, and marriage to Baha Salh, whom she met online.

Martha Ann Lillard, the last American to use an iron lung after contracting polio in 1953, died at 78 from long-haul COVID-19. She lived independently for most of her life, volunteered extensively, and created art despite her physical challenges.