IRON LUNG – LUNG POLIO



Recently, news broke out that a Brazilian man named Vicente Albuquerque, who was known for spending over 70 years living in an iron lung machine, had passed away at the age of 104. Albuquerque had been living in the device since the age of 33 due to contracting polio, which left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe without assistance. His story of resilience and perseverance has inspired many to appreciate their lives and to never give up in the face of adversity.

The iron lung machine, also known as a negative-pressure ventilator, is a device that encloses the entire body of a patient, except for their head, in a sealed compartment. The chamber is then filled with negative pressure, which helps the patient breathe without outside assistance. Albuquerque was one of the few people in the world to have lived for such a long time in an iron lung, which requires regular maintenance, skilled caretakers, and an unwavering commitment to remaining inside it.

Albuquerque was born in the town of Santa Cruz in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in 1916. He initially worked as a farmer before being diagnosed with polio at the age of 33. He was then transferred to a hospital in Recife, where he was placed inside an iron lung machine and remained there for the rest of his life. Despite his condition, Albuquerque strived to remain active in his community and even worked as a radio broadcaster for the Santa Cruz news station, broadcasting from inside his iron lung.

In recent years, the use of the iron lung machine has declined due to advancements in medical technology, such as mechanical ventilators, which have become more widely available and effective at keeping patients breathing. However, the story of Vicente Albuquerque serves as a reminder of the human body's capacity for resilience and the importance of never giving up on life's challenges.



In Short, the passing of Vicente Albuquerque marks the end of an era for those who witnessed his story of perseverance and resilience. His life in an iron lung machine for over 70 years is an inspiration to many, demonstrating that even amidst adversity, life can still be lived to the fullest. His remarkable story and the impact he made on his community will never be forgotten.