Source: Fox News
Summary
Martha Lillard, a 78-year-old Oklahoma woman, has died after living with polio since she was 5 years old. She was the last American to rely on an iron lung to live. Despite being paralyzed from the neck down, Lillard led an active life, attending school, taking road trips, and even driving. She contracted COVID-19 twice and was left in the iron lung nearly 24 hours a day. Lillard’s sister said she had 25% lung capacity before being diagnosed with COVID and died of chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome.
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The advice sounds familiar.
Polio, once a feared disease, was considered eliminated in the U.S. by 1979. However, its effects can still be seen in individuals like Martha Lillard, who lived with the disease for over 70 years. The use of iron lungs, a negative-pressure ventilator, was a common treatment for polio patients. Lillard’s story is a reminder of the importance of vaccination and the impact of long-haul COVID on individuals with pre-existing conditions. The fact that Lillard lived independently for many years, despite her condition, is a testament to her determination and resilience. The phrase “they told her she wasn’t supposed to live past 20 years old” echoes the uncertainty and unpredictability of medical prognoses.
Author: Evan Null
