Woman dies in iron lung after power failure

[Libertine]

I never even knew there was such a thing till I read this story.

It apparently looks like this -

I'd rather die then live in that thing.

The Associated Press: Tenn. woman dies in iron lung after power failure

Tenn. woman dies in iron lung after power failure

By WOODY BAIRD – 25 minutes ago

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — 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.

[.writer]

It looks like a damn torture chamber. How in the hell could they keep her locked up like that?

[Swiss Miss]

Geeze. A few years could be understandable if there was some chance of improvement but 50-freaking-years??? That's abuse. But at least she got a college education. I'm sure that went to good use hanging out in that iron lung.

[BoyEngland]

I saw that thing a while ago but I thought the patient just got hooked up to it, I had no idea they lived inside the damn thing.

I'm with Lib though, would rather die than live in it.

[discombobulate]

Confinement is not for me, I'd kill myself if I were put in that. I don't know how you could have the motivation to do anything when you're stuck in there... I give that woman a lot of respect for the things she did with what she had.

[LiKuidLinsang]

I guess it never occurred to anybody what the consequences could be for a person using an iron lung if there ever was a freaking power failure. Jeezus...

EDIT: Okay, saw the little tidbit on the generator. But still, having a generator sitting around for a person whose life depends on this machine but not get it to work is hard to believe.

[Midnight_Walker]

Originally Posted by Swiss Miss

Geeze. A few years could be understandable if there was some chance of improvement but 50-freaking-years??? That's abuse.

You talk as though she's in a coma or something - she was still alive all those years, and compos mentis, as far as I know - they can't just say "Oh, she's not getting better", and flick the power off and chuck her out. It's hardly abuse to keep someone alive, is it?

It's either live in the iron lung, or die. Some people may say "I'd rather die," but I sure as hell wouldn't! I think if the situation ever presented itself, the opinion might change.

Originally Posted by discombobulate

I give that woman a lot of respect for the things she did with what she had.

Agreed. I don't even know what I'd do if I were in one of those things. I'd expect a Hi-Def TV on the ceiling, at the very least.

[Libertine]

It's either live in the iron lung, or die. Some people may say "I'd rather die," but I sure as hell wouldn't! I think if the situation ever presented itself, the opinion might change.

You know, you might have something there. Lets weigh the good with the bad.

I guess over time I could get used to the gas chamber looking machine.. As long as I could still watch tv , use the computer , and play video games I might be able to adapt.

But if I had to rely on someone changing my diapers and clothing all the time...I dont know. Maybe she never even wore clothes in there?

Im trying to visualize sleeping in that thing every night and I feel something post traumatic coming on...so I really dont think I could do it...sorry.

[Magnum Force]

I think that if the situation presented itself, we would all choose to live rather than die since that's a natural instinct. But then over time we'd get sick of it and would rather die than stay in that thing any longer.

Most of the time people choose life over death. People will go to some pretty crazy lengths to survive. It's down the road more that they realize death might be a better idea than staying alive.

[Midnight_Walker]

Originally Posted by Libertine

As long as I could still watch tv , use the computer , and play video games I might be able to adapt.

But if I had to rely on someone changing my diapers and clothing all the time...I dont know. Maybe she never even wore clothes in there?

Wait - wake up, watch TV, play video games, without moving a muscle, even to get dressed, then go back to sleep? Can I buy one of these things?