Thursday, May 29, 2008

HOTTEST HEADLINES-A WOMAN DIES AFTER LIFE SPENT IN IRON LUNG

An oddessy of another power failure.
CNN, May 28, 2008 -- Updated 0117 GMT (0917 HKT)

Story Highlights
Dianne Odell of Tennessee, 61, lived in iron lung after contracting polio at age 3

She died after a power failure cut the breathing device's electricity

Spinal deformity kept her from using portable modern machine

"Dianne was one of the kindest and most considerate people," friend says

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) -- For almost 60 years, Dianne Odell lived inside a 7-foot-long metal tube, unable to breathe outside it but determined not to let it destroy her spirit.

From her 750-pound iron lung, she got a high school diploma, took college courses and wrote a children's book about a "wishing star" named Blinky.

"I've had a very good life, filled with love and family and faith," she said in 1994. "You can make life good, or you can make it bad." more see cnn.com/US

No comments: