Dianne Odell Turns 60; Has Spent Last 57 Years in Iron Lung
Dianne Odell, the nation's longest living polio survivor in an iron lung, will celebrate her 60th birthday with a party/fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., at The New Southern Hotel in Jackson.
In 1950, Dianne awoke in the middle of the night with a fever, headache, and aching legs. She was diagnosed with strep throat; however, her fever continued to climb and her body aches increased. Her parents took her back to the doctor the following day. A spinal tap was performed, and she was diagnosed with polio.
Dianne was placed in an isolation unit, and she was unable to breathe on her own due to the polio paralyzing her respiratory system. She was placed in an iron lung to help her breathe. After being hospitalized for 16 months in Memphis, her parents brought her and the iron lung home to Jackson. Today, Dianne's parents, with the assistance of home health aides, continue to care for her.
"People may ask, ‘Why would my parents take on this responsibility?' and the answer is their faith. With God's help they knew they would find a way to take care of my needs," Dianne said. "My family never told me I couldn't do things. As a child I wanted to learn to write, but having no use of my arms, my family helped me learn to write by using my toes."
Dianne was educated through the Jackson City Schools' homebound teachers, and graduated from high school with honors in 1965. She earned a $5,000 college scholarship by writing the winning essay for a contest. Dianne attended Freed-Hardeman College in 1968, but had to return home due to health problems. She was awarded an honorary degree from the college in 1987.
"Even though I am paralyzed, I still have complete feeling in my body," Dianne said. "Only the muscles are paralyzed, not the nerves. It is ironic that with polio the mind continues to grow and develop, even as the body weakens."
As a child, Dianne was strong enough to come out of the iron lung for brief periods; however, she is no longer able to do that. She rarely leaves her house. When she attends her birthday party on Feb. 17, it will be the first time in 10 years that she has left her home.
Dianne credits her faith, family, church members, friends and community for giving her the courage she has needed to face whatever obstacles have come her way.
Dianne's yearly medical expenses range from $60,000 to $80,000. Tickets for the birthday party are $100 per couple, and proceeds will help pay for Dianne's medical care. For more information about the birthday party or to make a donation to the Dianne Odell Fund, please contact the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation at (731) 660-8770 or http://www.wth.org/.
A birthday wish
Dianne Odell loves music, art, dance, and television. For her birthday, she would like to receive autographed photos or CDs from celebrities and artists. If you would like to send something to Dianne, donations may be mailed to West Tennessee Healthcare, 708 West Forest Avenue, Jackson, TN 38301. All items received will be presented to Dianne at her birthday