Martha Lillard, Last US Polio Iron Lung Patient, Dies at 78

Martha Lillard, last US polio patient using iron lung, dies at 78 in Oklahoma

Martha Lillard, the final American polio patient reliant on an iron lung, passed away at 78 in Oklahoma. Despite being told she wouldn't survive past 20, she lived a full life, attended school remotely, drove, and even found love online. Her death, attributed to long-haul COVID-19, marks the end of an era for iron lung users in the United States.

"They told her she wasn't supposed to live past 20 years old, but she had the enthusiasm and the drive to continue living and make the best of her life."