14-3-2024 (DALLAS) An American man who spent over seven decades encased within the confines of an iron lung after contracting polio at the tender age of six, breathed his last on March 11th. Paul Alexander, a resident of Dallas, Texas, defied the odds and lived a life that inspired many, ultimately departing at the age of 78.
The viral disease polio, which struck Alexander in 1952, left him paralyzed from the neck down, robbing him of the ability to breathe independently. Faced with this daunting challenge, doctors had no choice but to place the young Alexander inside a metal cylinder, known as an iron lung, where he would spend the remainder of his life, as reported by various media outlets.
With a fondness that belied the harsh realities of his situation, Alexander affectionately referred to the iron lung as his “old iron horse.” The bellows of the cylinder, expanding and contracting, forced his lungs to mimic the natural rhythm of breathing, a mechanical necessity that sustained his life for over seven decades.
Alexander’s passing was announced on a fundraising website, where he was celebrated as a “role model for many.” Despite the constraints imposed by his condition, Alexander’s indomitable spirit shone through as he obtained a law degree, passed the bar exam, and established a successful legal practice, according to Christopher Ulmer, the organizer of the GoFundMe page.
“His story travelled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world. Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered,” Ulmer remarked, paying tribute to the late Alexander’s inspirational journey.
Initially, the fundraising page was created to support Alexander’s housing and healthcare expenses, including the maintenance of his iron lung, after he had fallen victim to exploitation by previous caregivers. Now, with Alexander’s passing, his brother Philip has informed Ulmer that the donations will be used to cover the costs of his funeral.
“It allowed him to live his last few years stress-free… I am just so grateful,” Philip Alexander expressed, acknowledging the profound impact of the fundraising efforts on his brother’s final years.
Despite the challenges he faced, Alexander’s determination knew no bounds. Over time, he learned to breathe independently for short periods, allowing him brief respites from the iron lung, as reported by the BBC.
However, in recent years, his condition deteriorated due to a respiratory infection, and he experienced pain in his legs when attempting to move them, according to Sky News.
Alexander’s unwavering spirit found expression in his memoir, “Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung,” which he published in April 2020 after eight years of painstaking effort. Utilizing a plastic stick and a pen to type on the keyboard or dictating his words to a friend, he shared his remarkable story with the world, as reported by The Guardian.
In a 2020 interview with the British news outlet, Alexander reflected on his life’s journey, stating, “I knew if I was going to do anything with my life, it was going to have to be a mental thing.”
