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

Martha Lillard, who was the last surviving polio patient in the United States to use an iron lung, died on June 26 in Oklahoma. She was 78.

Lillard was diagnosed with polio at age 5 and spent the majority of her life dependent on the iron lung, a metal cylinder that encased her body and used air pressure to force air into her lungs. Her younger sister, Cindy McVey, said doctors had not expected Lillard to live past 20.

"She had the enthusiasm and the drive to continue living and make the best of her life," McVey told The Associated Press. Lillard's death certificate listed chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome as causes, with McVey attributing her sister's passing to the effects of long-haul COVID-19.

Despite her condition, which paralyzed her from the neck down, Lillard pursued education and personal interests. She attended grade school for two hours daily, with the remainder of her studies conducted via tutoring. She later participated in high school classes through an intercom system. Family road trips were made possible by a custom trailer and accommodations secured by her father, who would call hotels to confirm their doors were wide enough for the iron lung.

Lillard's life was significantly impacted by technological advancements. The internet allowed her to stay informed about various topics, including her own disease. It also facilitated her ability to connect with others, leading her to meet her future husband, Baha Salh, in an online chat room. After more than 20 years of communication, Salh was able to obtain a visa to travel to Oklahoma, and they married in February.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lillard contracted the virus twice. Prior to her COVID-19 infections, her lung capacity was less than 25%. In the last five years of her life, Lillard's breathing difficulties increased, confining her to her home. For the last two years of her life, she spent nearly 24 hours a day in the iron lung.

Lillard was described by her sister as artistic and creative, with interests in writing poetry and composing songs. She also authored her own obituary and was a Humane Society volunteer, assisting in animal rescue through social media.

Polio was once a widespread and feared disease in the United States, with thousands of paralysis cases reported annually, primarily affecting children. Vaccines became available in 1955, and a national vaccination campaign significantly reduced U.S. cases. By the 1970s, fewer than 10 cases were reported annually, and polio was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 1979.

With therapy, Lillard regained partial use of her left arm and some use of her legs, though her mobility remained limited. She lived independently for many years, preparing her own meals. In her later years, Lillard and McVey sought assistance to repair the iron lung, but with Lillard being the last known user, that need has ended.