Kansas City polio survivor is one of last iron lung users in U.S.

For 36 years, Mona Randolph, 82, slept six nights per week in a 75-year-old, 700-pound and 6-foot-long iron machine. She couldn't breathe without it. Update: She passed away on February 18,. 2019.

Video by Shelly Yang

More from The Kansas City Star:

[lilymarino]

She died this February. God rest her beautiful soul.

[luckm]

Some decades ago, I thought that people using the iron lung couldn't leave it even for a second or they would suffocate. I'm so glad to find out that many polio sufferers who use the iron lung are in fact able to leave it for hours at a time.

[janeoxley]

I will never complain again, what a wonderful brave lady bearing such an illness.

[brooklynndee]

I had the honor of speaking with Mona before she passed away. She had a spirit that would not quit and a husband by her side that loved her dearly. This world has lost a beautiful loving soul, rest in peace sweet Mona.. I will always remember you!

[denisec.m.]

Mona Jean randolf
August 26, 1936 - February 18, 2019
R.I.P

[jazz-axy]

Okay but shoutout to that 75yr old machine. Damn

[CBrasil]

What a beautiful lady, God Bless her and sad to hear she passed away, but finally she’s free of this disease and I really hope she’s in a better place 🙏🏻

[runamuck]

You can just hear the amount of strength it takes for her to talk she was a trooper till her last breath

[Arsonist_Xpert]

Damn. There's no way I could do what she did. I would break, maybe end it all, but she powered through. Mad respect

[Lisse...]

She looks stunning, she must have a been a true beauty when she was younger

[calanmacleod]

While at school one of my friends was struck down by polio, it was devastating to our whole class. The fact that some. People would not vacsinate against this scourge is unthinkable.

[kiaragajo]

This video was 5 years ago wow... to think this video helped me learn about this to you Paul Alexander 🕊

[stewartsa]

As a polio survivor who spent 3 weeks in an iron lung at the age of 4, I can't imagine having to use the machine again. She had an indomitable spirit to survive in one so long.

[stevecash]

Still shocked by the iron lung. We are so blessed to have the modern medicine we have now.

[pamelarose]

There's a man named Paul who is still in a iron lung to this day. Very said God bless her

[alysiafurr]

My grandmother was a polio survivor. She contracted it at the age of three and spent her youth in a very bad hospital. Though she was bound to a wheelchair, practically her whole life, her and my mother were the strongest women I knew. Both, her and my mother died from cancer, her on 9/18/09 and my mother 7/10/20. I miss both of you so much.

[johnwalck]

Mona passed away on February 18th, 2019. RIP Mona 🌹

[RykersMom]

My grandma had ALS and the only way she was able to home was in an iron lung. She lived the last 18 months of her life inan iron lung. She passed away in 1974. It was a happy and sad time when she passed. She was a pioneer of home health care. I still miss her but I know she is in a better place and not in pain.

[lornamanningangus]

My mom got polio in 1956 too was in iron lung for 3 years! Passed in 2002! 💖

[hoosician]

Not gonna lie, she was freaking beautiful in her young age. And honestly, she is still beautiful. You can understand it by looking at her elegant face. May you soul rest peacefully. 😌😌