Paul Alexander, a Dallas polio survivor who was one of the few people left in the U.S. using an iron lung, has died. He was 78.
Paul Alexander looks out from inside his iron lung at his home in Dallas. Now in his 70s, Alexander is one of the few people left who uses an iron lung to help facilitate breathing for those affected by polio.Alexander lived most of his life in a metal cylinder that allowed him to breathe after contracting the once-epidemic disease during childhood in the 1950s. Known as “Polio Paul”, Alexander found fame online, where he shared stories about his life inside an iron lung.
As one of Dallas ISD’s first homeschooled students, Alexander graduated second in his class from W.W. Samuell Alexander High School in 1967. He went on to attend Southern Methodist University before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his bachelor’s and law degrees.He spent his career practicing family law and helping people filing for bankruptcy fight off creditors. He was also a published author.
Alexander learned to breathe by himself by gulping for air, which allowed him to exist outside of the iron lung for parts of his days. Iron lungs are massive, now-obsolete machines that mechanically help patients breathe. Many patients only used the iron lung for weeks or months as they recovered from polio. But for some, like Alexander, the disease permanently damaged their chest muscles, meaning they would need the machine for their entire life.Alexander’s chest muscles were so damaged that he couldn’t use portable ventilators that are now given to people with breathing problems.
Paul Richard Alexander, 9, was struck with polio right before he began elementary school in 1952. He is shown in August 1955. "I like to paint, go on picnics and go to church," said the boy, who has no use of his limbs.A social media manager for Alexander posted on TikTok in late February that he was rushed to the emergency room and tested positive for COVID-19, but that he ultimately was able to return home.
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Paul Alexander, polio survivor who spent over 70 years in iron lung, dead at 78A man who spent 70 years living inside a metal chamber to help him breathe, has died aged 78. Paul Alexander was widely known as 'the man in the iron lung' and was also a lawyer and author
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Paul Alexander, polio survivor who lived in iron lung for 70 years, dies age 78Emily is a health news writer based in London, United Kingdom. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Durham University and a master's degree in clinical and therapeutic neuroscience from Oxford University. She has worked in science communication, medical writing and as a local news reporter while undertaking journalism training.
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