Dianne Odell, who lived her entire life in an iron lung, passed away at the age of 61. Despite her condition, she never let it dampen her spirit or her love for life.
Odell spent almost six decades confined to a 7-foot-long metal tube, relying on the machine to breathe. But she refused to let this define her. Despite her limitations, she achieved many significant milestones. She earned a high school diploma, took college courses, and even wrote a children’s book called “Blinky the Wishing Star.”
When asked about her life in a 1994 interview, Odell said, “I’ve had a very good life, filled with love and family and faith. You can make life good or you can make it bad.” Her positive attitude and determination were truly inspiring.
Tragically, a power failure caused the pump drawing air into her lungs to stop functioning, leading to her untimely passing. Despite the best efforts of her family, they were unable to get an emergency generator working. Dianne had become weaker in recent months and did not have the strength to survive without the assistance of the iron lung.
Dianne contracted polio at the young age of three, before a vaccine for the disease was available. She lived with her parents, who had equipped their home with an emergency generator. However, when the power failure occurred, the generator failed to activate.
Emergency crews were powerless to help due to the sporadic power outages caused by storms in the area. Dianne’s care over the years was provided by her parents, other family members, and aides from a nonprofit foundation.
Dianne’s iron lung, reminiscent of those used during the polio epidemics of the 1950s, was a cylindrical chamber in which she laid with only her head exposed. She communicated with visitors through a mirror positioned at an angle. She operated a television with a blow tube and was able to write using a voice-activated computer.
Although modern, portable breathing devices became available, Dianne’s spinal deformity resulting from polio prevented her from using them. Despite her inability to leave the iron lung, she was still able to be moved while inside it.
In honor of Dianne’s 60th birthday, her friends and family organized a grand celebration with about 200 guests at a downtown hotel in Jackson. She received letters from all over the country, and a 9-foot birthday cake was made especially for her.
Dianne Odell was known for her kindness and consideration towards others. She was always concerned about their well-being. She leaves behind a legacy of strength and perseverance and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
