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 recognized Middleton as the person who had spent the longest amount of time living in an iron lung.[1]
Middleton was born on 4 May 1926, the only daughter of parents Robert and Lucy Middleton. She contracted polio when she was 22 years old[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 twenty-one hours a day on the iron lung to help her breathe[3]. Her husband remained with her for 5 years before remarrying[4].
Middleton lived at Fairfield Hospital in Melbourne for more than 40 years.[2] She was next transferred to Austin Hospital before moving to her own home in Thornbury, which was managed by Yooralla, a disability support provider.[2]
She campaigned 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 on the iron lung[1]. She marked the milestone with her friends and her dog, Angel, a golden retriever-labrador mix, at her home at the Yooralla's Ventilator Accommodation Support Service (VASS) in Thornbury, Victoria, a suburb located in the northern parts of Melbourne.[1]
June Middleton died at her home in Thornbury on 29 October 2009, at the age of 83.[3] Her public funeral was held in Bell City, Preston, Victoria[2].