Hours each day in an iron lung kept her breathing, her will to live kept her alive

BBC News Tuesday 14 July 2026, 02:20 UTC 1 min read

Key Points

The sister of the last known polio patient in the US to use the life-saving machine spoke to the BBC about her sister's life.

US (LOCATION)

Originally published by BBC News Read original →

As a teenager I declined a painful operation to straighten my spinal curvature, and it was a decision I sometimes regretted. But through daily stretching and exercise, my relationship with my body was transformedI was 13 when a spinal surgeon gave me unsolicited career advice. “Scoliosis won’t ruin your life,” he said, peering over his spectacles, “unless you want to do bikini modelling.”

The Guardian Health 29m ago

Bangkok pub fire kills 32 people as 15 still fighting for their lives in intensive care

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Daily Mirror 32m ago

Hours each day in an iron lung kept her breathing, her will to live kept her alive

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Bangkok pub fire kills 32 people as 15 still fighting for their lives in intensive care