Last U.S. Polio Survivor in an Iron Lung Dies After the Machine Began to Break Down and No One Could Repair It

Martha Ann Lillard, renowned as the last polio patient in the United States to rely on an iron lung for survival, has passed away at the age of 78. Her death occurred amidst a complex battle with long Covid compounded by the breakdown of her vintage iron lung, a vital tool for her existence for decades.

Lillard’s harrowing encounter with polio began on her fifth birthday in 1953, just two years prior to the introduction of the vaccine that would drastically reduce polio cases across America. Reflecting on her initial symptoms, she recounted, “I woke up and it was sunny outside, and I started to sit up, and my neck was killing me.” She soon lost the ability to raise her head and, after a few days, was left unconscious and unable to breathe or move.

At the time, polio was a prevalent and often devastating illness caused by the highly contagious poliovirus. It attacks the nervous system, and while many who contract it experience only mild symptoms, a small percentage suffer severe and life-altering paralysis. The implications of this disease were notably exemplified by former U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who became a symbol of the fight against polio after his diagnosis.

After spending six months in a hospital, Lillard became acquainted with the iron lung, a mechanical ventilator that enveloped her body and assisted her breathing. Initially spending 23 hours each day in the device, she learned to re-train her lungs. While she ultimately regained the ability to walk, her right arm remained paralysed. “When I got in it, I was tired. Always getting in there felt wonderful,” she recalled, expressing a sense of comfort that the machine provided.

Throughout her life, Lillard lived with various health challenges including scoliosis and limited lung capacity. Despite these hurdles, she persevered, embracing creativity as an outlet through painting, poetry, and music composed for the piano with her left hand. In contrast to other polio survivors who transitioned to more modern breathing apparatuses, Lillard found them ineffective, stating, “I tried all of them, and none could give me what I needed to breathe.”

As she aged, Lillard faced additional health complications, notably post-polio syndrome which exacerbated her fatigue and weakness, eventually leading to her reliance on the iron lung around the clock. The onset of Covid-19 twice further complicated her condition, with long Covid ultimately cited as the primary cause of her death.

Lillard’s struggles were intensified by difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare. Her sister, Cindy McVey, revealed that the iron lung struggled with deterioration as parts dating back to the 1940s became increasingly hard to find. “We have a spare motor, but we don’t have anyone to put it back in if we needed it,” she explained, underscoring the challenges they faced in maintaining the crucial device.

Amidst these considerable health and logistical challenges, Lillard displayed remarkable resilience. In a poignant moment while waiting for assistance following a tornado that disrupted power to her iron lung, her husband, Baha Seleh, performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, demonstrating the urgency of their situation. She faced her deteriorating health with a fighting spirit, determined to live as fully as possible while contributing positively to the world.

Martha Ann Lillard died on June 26. Her legacy is characterised not only by her remarkable battle against polio but also her compassion towards others. A GoFundMe page established in her honour highlights her dedication to helping both people in need and abandoned animals across the United States. “Even as post-polio syndrome continued to affect her, she maintained a wonderful fighting attitude, making the most of what she had left and enjoying life as much as she could,” the tribute reads.

The loss of Martha Ann Lillard marks the end of an era, reflecting the profound impact of polio in the United States and the resilience of those who survive its severe consequences. Her story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions in navigating healthcare and achieving their goals despite overwhelming odds.