GermanyMartha Lillard, the last known survivor of polio who used an 'iron lung' breathing apparatus, has died at the age of 78 in Oklahoma. She contracted polio in 1953, two years before the first polio vaccine was introduced in the United States. The disease caused severe physical disabilities, including damage to her respiratory muscles, which required her lifelong dependence on the iron lung. Despite her health challenges, she remained independent and creative, engaging in activities such as painting, writing poetry, and composing music. In recent years, maintaining the decades-old iron lung became increasingly difficult due to the unavailability of replacement parts and the lack of technicians capable of repairing it. Lillard had tried modern alternatives but found them inadequate for her needs. Her death marks the end of an era for the historical medical device, which once symbolized the severity of polio. With widespread vaccination efforts over the past decades, polio is now considered nearly eradicated globally, having saved millions of lives.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of Martha Lillard's life, her medical condition, and the historical significance of the iron lung. It does not present any political opinions, biases, or ideological framing. The content focuses on medical history, personal resilience, and global health efforts
