June Middleton

June Margaret Middleton (4 May 1926 – 30 October 2009) was an Australian polio victim who spent more than 60 years living in an iron lung for treatment of the disease.[1] In 2006, Guinness World Records recognised her as the person who had spent the longest amount of time living in an iron lung.[1]

June Middleton
Born
June Margaret Middleton

(1926-05-04)4 May 1926
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died30 October 2009(2009-10-30) (aged 83)
NationalityAustralian
Known forLongest time in an iron lung

Middleton was born in Melbourne on 4 May 1926, the only daughter of Robert and Lucy Middleton. She contracted polio when she was 22,[1] just months before her planned wedding.[2] She entered the iron lung on 5 April 1949, and remained dependent on the machine for the rest of her life.[1] Middleton spent up to 21 hours a day in the iron lung to help her breathe.[3] Her husband-to-be stayed with her for five years before eventually marrying another woman and starting a family.[4]

Middleton lived at Fairfield Hospital in Melbourne for more than 40 years.[2] She was then transferred to Austin Hospital before moving to her own home in Thornbury, which was managed by the Yooralla Ventilator Accommodation Support Service.

A campaigner for the rights of people confined to ventilators,[2] Middleton was also a fan of the Carlton Football Club.[2]

On 5 April 2009, Middleton marked her 60th year in the iron lung[1] with friends and her dog Angel at her side.

She died in Thornbury on 29 October 2009, aged 83.

References

  1. "June Middleton, in iron lung for 60 years, dies". The Australian. Australian Associated Press. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  2. Robson, Suzanne (4 November 2009). "Iron lung record woman dies". Preston Leader. Archived from the original on 24 September 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  3. Whinnett, Ellen (31 October 2009). "Iron lung woman dies". Sunday Herald Sun. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  4. "Dead after 60 years in iron lung". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
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