Paul Alexander: Man who lived in an iron lung for 7 decades dies at 78
Paul Richard Alexander, who lived inside an iron lung for over 70 years, has passed away at the age of 78.
Paul’s life took an unexpected turn when he caught polio at the age of six in 1952, forcing him to live with an iron lung for almost 70 years.
He lived in Dallas, Texas, and was lovingly known as Polio Paul.
An update on his GoFundMe page revealed that he died.
The post noted: “Paul Alexander, “The Man in the Iron Lung”, passed away yesterday.”
“His story traveled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world. Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered,” it noted.
Living with the iron lung
Despite the challenges he faced, Paul’s spirit remained unbroken. He pursued education, earning two law degrees and becoming a published author.
He also spent thirty years practicing law in a specialized wheelchair.
Moreover, Paul worked towards raising awareness about polio.
Paul went on to write a book on his life experiences that took five years to complete and is now read by people worldwide.
In 1952, Paul went out to play with his older brother but returned with a fever, bodily soreness, and weariness.
The six-year-old Paul was diagnosed with polio infection.
The poliovirus attacks nerves in the spinal cord and brain stem. In its most extreme form, it can cause paralysis.
Although Paul survived, the severe illness left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe freely. He could move just his head, neck, and mouth.
Back then, the doctors put the young Paul inside the iron lung that helped him breathe.
Polio outbreak
Earlier Interesting Engineering wrote about this cylindrical device that covers the entire body but the head. It exerts negative pressure on the chest and belly to aid in the action of breathing.
This device helped Paul to breathe for over 70 years.
Despite the invention of advanced ventilators in the 1960s, Paul continued to use this iron lung. He was one of the last people in the world to continue using iron lungs to breathe.
Back in the mid-1900s, polio afflicted tens of thousands and claimed thousands of lives annually. This infectious disease targeted the central nervous system, leading to some paralysis.
Health officials proclaimed the United States polio-free after a lengthy vaccination campaign in 1979. Thanks to virologist Jonas Salk‘s historic creation of the polio vaccine in 1953.
Once a prevalent illness, polio has now been eliminated in over 100 nations thanks to widespread vaccination programs. Only a few countries still report regular cases of polio.
Though he may have left the world, Paul’s legacy will be a beacon of hope and strength for future generations.
Source: Interesting Engineering
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Paul Alexander: Man who lived in an iron lung for 7 decades dies at 78