Last American to Use an Iron Lung Dies at 78
Last American to use an iron – Martha Lillard, recognized as the Last American to use an iron lung, has passed away at the age of 78. This remarkable Oklahoma resident spent the majority of her life dependent on the iconic breathing apparatus that became a symbol of hope during the polio epidemic. Lillard received her polio diagnosis when she was just five years old, a time when the disease struck fear into families throughout the United States. The illness left her paralyzed from the neck down, requiring her to spend each night inside the iron lung machine to breathe while she slept. Her journey as the Last American to use an iron lung spanned nearly eight decades of medical history.
Her younger sister, Cindy McVey, shared with The Associated Press on Friday that medical professionals initially predicted Lillard would not survive beyond the age of 20. Despite these grim expectations, her sister noted that Lillard possessed tremendous enthusiasm and determination to continue living and make the most of every opportunity. McVey described her sister as someone who never let her condition define her limitations.
A Life Filled with Adaptation and Achievement
Even with her condition, Lillard managed to attend school for two hours each day during her childhood years. For the remainder of her educational time, she worked with tutors who came to her home. An innovative intercom phone system enabled her to communicate regularly with both her teachers and classmates from the comfort of her residence. Lillard’s family found creative solutions to help her experience life beyond her immediate surroundings. Her father arranged for custom trailers that could accommodate both the iron lung and Martha during road trips. He also ensured that hotels along their routes had sufficiently wide doorways to allow the large machine to pass through.
“Martha was always looking forward, never looking back. She found joy in the smallest moments and never complained about what she couldn’t do,” McVey said.
The iron lung itself functions as a negative-pressure ventilator, providing crucial respiratory support for patients whose lung muscles have become paralyzed. During the early decades of the twentieth century, this disease caused thousands of childhood paralysis cases during annual outbreaks. The situation improved dramatically when a vaccine became available in 1955, and by 1979, polio was officially considered eliminated within the United States. Yet for Lillard, the Last American to use an iron lung, the machine remained essential throughout her life.
Medical Challenges and Personal Triumphs
Through dedicated therapy sessions, Lillard eventually regained movement in her left arm and legs. This progress allowed her to drive a vehicle for a period of time and live independently for many years. Her resilience was evident in every aspect of her life. Earlier this year, Lillard celebrated a significant personal milestone by marrying a man from Egypt. The couple had been corresponding with each other for two decades before he successfully obtained a visa to join her. McVey described them as true soul mates and noted that her brother-in-law is currently experiencing profound grief.
According to her sister, Lillard was a creative spirit who wrote poetry and volunteered her time with the Humane Society. Before contracting COVID-19, she possessed only 25 percent of normal lung capacity. Her death certificate lists chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome as the causes of death. McVey added that the passing was connected to the lingering effects of long-haul COVID.
During the recent pandemic, Lillard contracted the coronavirus twice, which resulted in her remaining inside the iron lung machine nearly around the clock. Her case highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of those with compromised respiratory systems even decades after the disease was largely controlled. The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story about a woman whose life spanned nearly a century of medical history and who remained connected to the past through her iron lung while building a rich, fulfilling life in the present.
