Last American polio survivor in an iron lung dies at 78

remained paralyzed, but she could partially use her left. Her grandfather retrofitted the tank, adding a secondary motor so she could open the hatch from the inside.

According to Lillard’s sister, Cindy McVey, she’s been able to get in and out of her iron lung since she was a teenager.

Over the decades, some polio survivors transitioned to more modern continue reading …