dallas – Paul Alexander, a North Texas man who lived in an iron lung most of his life, has died.
According to his obituary, he died on March 11. He was 78 years old.
Around the world, Dallas native Paul Alexander was known as “The Man in the Iron Lung” or “Polio Paul”, but to his younger brother Philip, Paul was a role model.
“He wanted to change the world,” Philip Alexander said. “He wanted to help people. He wasn’t going to leave (this world) until, in his mind, he did something big.”
Paul Alexander was diagnosed with polio during an outbreak in Dallas in 1952 at just 6 years old. This disease had paralyzed him from the neck down and he was unable to breathe on his own. Doctors placed Paul Alexander on an iron lung, a mechanical respirator that regulates the air pressure around his body to help his lungs expand.
A supportive group of family and friends made sure Paul Alexander kept breathing when the machine lost power. He supported them by encouraging them with his positive outlook towards life.
“Life is an extraordinary thing.”
Philip Alexander said, “He was a person with or without a disability. He had everything we all had, he just had to do it a little differently with a little help.”
Philip Alexander said that his brother’s life was based entirely on adaptation. Paul Alexander learned to write, type, and paint using only his mouth and a stick. He did not let his disability hamper his education.
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Paul Alexander graduated from Southern Methodist University with an economics degree, earned a law degree from the University of Texas, passed the bar exam, practiced law in Dallas, was an advocate for polio research, and wrote a book.
In March 2024, Guinness World Records declared Paul Alexander the longest-lived iron lung patient in history.
Phillip Alexander says, “If (he) didn’t have really strong positive parents, he never would have made it. If (he) didn’t have family and close relationships over the years, he never would have made it.” Would have.” ,
Paul Alexander also took to social media, where he shared countless videos with messages of hope and happiness, earning him thousands of followers around the world.
His posts sometimes highlighted his relentless hardship.
“I love the sun, but I haven’t felt this in a long time. It’s lonely,” Paul Alexander says in a TikTok video.
But his motivational messages left a lasting impact on the outside world, such as “Just hang in there because it will get better.”
A GoFundMe was created by Paul Alexander after previous carers took advantage of it. This money was spent on the maintenance, housing and health care of the iron lung.
His brother Philip said, “I’m very (grateful) to everyone who donated to my brother’s fundraiser.” “It allowed him to live out his last few years stress-free. It will also pay for his funeral during this difficult time. It’s absolutely incredible to read all the comments and know that so many people were inspired by Paul. I That’s all I am.” Thankful.”
A few weeks ago, his social media manager posted a video stating that he was taken to the emergency room and hospitalized after being infected with COVID-19. After this he was discharged from the hospital.
Paul Alexander knew that if he ever became infected, the virus would likely be fatal. Ultimately it took his life. But not before had he claimed to live a life well.
Philip Alexander said, “The night before he died he just opened his eyes and looked at me and said, ‘This is perfect.’
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the iron lung helped keep Paul Alexander alive longer than anyone else.
“Even at the end, I don’t think he really realized what kind of impact he had,” Philip Alexander says with tears in his eyes, “He wants people to remember that you can go through any struggle. And it’s all (about) how you treat each other. That was the reason for his life.”
The Alexander family said Paul’s funeral service will be held next Wednesday, March 20, in Dallas.
