Iron Lung Lady, Dianne Odell, Died

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=4947385

Tenn. woman who spent life in iron lung dies when power failure stops machine

By WOODY BAIRD Associated Press Writer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. May 28, 2008 (AP)

The Associated Press
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Dianne Odell chats with her mother Geneva Odell through a mirror which is mounted above her iron lung at home in Jackson, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2007.

(John Partipilo/The Tennessean/AP Photo)
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The family of a Tennessee woman who spent more than 50 years in an iron lung says she has died after a power failure shut down the machine that kept her breathing.

Dianne Odell died early Wednesday. The 61-year-old had been confined to the 7-foot-long machine since she was stricken by polio at 3 years old.

Brother-in-law Will Beyer said family members were unable to get an emergency generator working for the iron lung after a power failure knocked out electricity to the Odell family's residence near Jackson.

Odell spent her life in the iron lung, cared for by her parents and other family members. Though confined inside the 750-pound apparatus, Odell managed to get a high school diploma, take college courses and write a children's book.