Martha Lillard, the last polio patient to use an iron lung has died at age 78 in Oklahoma. She was diagnosed with polio when she was 5 years old and slept in the iron lung at night up until the last few years when she was in it 24 hours a day. Her death is attributed to the effects of long-haul COVID, chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome. She and her family were desperately trying to repair her iron lung which had been failing – unfortunately they could not find anyone to repair it. Her sister, Cindy McVey, said that Martha was not expected to live past 20 years of age but her enthusiasm contributed to her longevity. Her sister added that Martha was artistic, creative, wrote poems and composed songs. Martha was only able to attend school for 2 hours a day due to her diminished lung capacity but was tutored so she could complete her education. She also struggled with paralysis and through therapy was able to regain partial use of her left arm. She lived independently for a few years. Her family adapted to her need to sleep in the iron lung every night by pulling it in a trailer on vacations. Her father would call ahead and make sure the hotel doorways were wide enough for them to bring it in with them. She was married twice.