Last American polio survivor in an iron lung dies at 78

were paralyzed.

After four days, Lillard fell unconscious.

“I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move my arms or legs. I was paralyzed all over.”

The iron lung saved her life.

“They usually didn’t like to put children in because they fought it, but I didn’t,” she said. “I liked it. It felt good to breathe.”

Lillard spent six months in the hospital learning to continue reading …