Polio survivor Paul Alexander, who lived 70 years in an iron lung, died at 78 in Dallas, Texas. His life exemplified triumph over extreme adversity.
Born on January 30, 1946, Alexander contracted polio in 1952, during one of the worst outbreaks in U.S. history. The disease left him paralyzed from the neck down, necessitating the use of an iron lung to assist his breathing. Despite these challenges, Alexander’s spirit and determination remained unbroken.
Paul Alexander, a Texas man who lived in an iron lung for most of his life, has died. He was 78 years old 🙏 🕊️
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) March 13, 2024
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Paul Alexander earned a law degree, ran a successful practice, authored books, and inspired many via social media.
The iron lung, key during polio epidemics, was Alexander’s lifeline. Invented in the 1920s by Drinker and Shaw, it helped patients breathe despite paralysis. Now mostly obsolete, it was a crucial medical breakthrough for polio sufferers.
Alexander’s life showcases human resilience and technology’s impact. His legacy inspires and underscores vaccines’ role in disease prevention and human tenacity.