Martha Lillard was just five years old when she was diagnosed with polio, a disease that left her dependent on an iron lung for survival. Sadly, Martha passed away on June 26 at the age of 78 in Oklahoma, becoming the last known U.S. polio patient who relied on this life-sustaining machine.
Her sister, Cindy McVey, shared with The Associated Press that doctors once predicted Martha wouldn’t live beyond 20 years. “She had the enthusiasm and the drive to continue living and make the best of her life,” McVey said, highlighting Martha’s incredible spirit.
Cindy attributes Martha’s passing to the lingering effects of long-haul COVID-19, with her death certificate listing chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome as contributing factors. Martha spent her days in the iron lung, a machine that helped her breathe by changing air pressure around her body, allowing her lungs to function.
Despite her challenges, Martha’s life was full of achievements. She attended school for two hours a day and had tutors for the rest of her education. She even navigated high school with the help of a specialized phone system that allowed her to communicate with teachers and classmates. Her family adapted to her needs, going on road trips with a custom trailer and calling ahead to ensure hotels could accommodate her iron lung.
“To me, it was just normal,” recalled McVey, now 75, reflecting on their unique family experiences.
Polio was once a widespread fear in America, especially among children, causing thousands of cases of paralysis every year. However, the introduction of vaccines in 1955 dramatically reduced the number of cases. According to the CDC, vaccination campaigns brought U.S. polio cases down to fewer than 100 by the 1960s and ultimately led to the disease being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 1979.
In recent years, Martha used the internet to stay informed and connected. She learned about her disease, which paralyzed her from the neck down, and even regained partial use of her left arm and legs through therapy. Despite her limitations, she lived independently for many years, even preparing her own meals.
The internet also played a significant role in Martha’s personal life. After the September 11 attacks, she sought to understand the world better and met a man from Egypt in an online chat room. They communicated for over 20 years before Martha married Baha Salh in February, following his successful visa application to come to the U.S.
“They were really soul mates,” McVey said, noting the profound bond they shared. However, her sister’s health deteriorated significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Martha contracting the virus twice. By the end of her life, she struggled to breathe and spent nearly all her time in the iron lung.
Martha was also known for her creativity. She wrote poems and composed songs, and even penned her own obituary, which is now available online. In it, she expressed her love for animals, particularly Beagles, and her commitment to volunteering with animal rescue organizations.
As McVey reflected on her sister’s life, she mentioned their efforts to find someone to repair Martha’s iron lung, one of several that she had used throughout her life. “But since she’s the last one, we don’t need that anymore,” McVey said tearfully.
