The individual who resided in an iron lung for seven decades has regrettably passed away at the age of 78.
Paul Alexander, often recognized as “Polio Paul,” was left paralyzed after contracting polio in 1952 at the tender age of six.
Since childhood, he had been confined within the apparatus that assisted his breathing.
According to The Guardian, Paul was playing outdoors near his residence in Dallas, Texas, when he began experiencing severe headaches.
Following a brief examination, his mother promptly directed him to bed for rest. However, his condition swiftly deteriorated, reaching a stage where he could scarcely move, swallow, or cough.
His mother rushed him to the doctors, where initially, healthcare professionals deemed the situation dire, expressing their inability to save the young boy. Yet, after one doctor re-evaluated him and swiftly transported him to the operating room for an emergency tracheotomy to clear the congestion in his lungs, he was provided with a slim chance of survival, albeit unable to breathe unassisted thereafter.
Though Paul eventually recovered from the polio infection, his body remained paralyzed from the neck down. After 18 months, he was granted permission to return home.
His GoFundMe page was updated on Tuesday, disclosing that he had passed away the previous Monday.
The message states: “Paul Alexander, ‘The Man in the Iron Lung,’ passed away yesterday. After enduring polio as a child, he spent over 70 years confined to an iron lung. Despite this, Paul managed to pursue higher education, becoming a lawyer, and even achieving recognition as a published author.”
“His story reached far and wide, inspiring people around the globe.”
During a documentary about his condition, he expressed, “Back then, people didn’t seem to like me very much. I felt their discomfort around me.”
During a documentary about his condition, he expressed, “Back then, people didn’t seem to like me very much. I felt their discomfort around me.”
He added, “I just needed a little bit of help.”
“I preferred engaging in activities like reading, studying, painting, or drawing over simply watching TV.”
Paul faced difficulties in gaining acceptance into college, yet with his aspirations of becoming a lawyer on the line, he succeeded in convincing the institution to admit him. They stipulated that he could enroll on the condition that he received the polio vaccination and agreed to be supervised by a fraternity, terms to which he agreed.
Remarkably, he persevered and successfully passed all of his Bar exams, ultimately achieving his goal of becoming a certified lawyer.
Furthermore, he demonstrated extraordinary determination by writing a book using only his mouth, aiming to inspire others to overcome adversity and persevere through challenges.
Regarding his motivation to write, he expressed, “Regardless of your background, origins, or the obstacles you encounter, you have the power to achieve anything. It’s all about setting your mind to it and putting in the hard work.”
He added, “My journey serves as proof that your past or any disability you may have doesn’t have to dictate your future.”
The World Health Organization reports that wild poliovirus cases have plummeted by over 99% since 1988, decreasing from an estimated 350,000 cases spread across more than 125 endemic countries to merely six reported cases in 2021. Notably, wild poliovirus type 2 was eradicated in 1999, and wild poliovirus type 3 followed suit in 2020. However, despite these significant achievements, the disease continues to pose a threat to individuals who have not received vaccination.
