Polio victim – and lawyer – dies after 72 years living inside iron lung
A MAN who spent more than seven decades living inside an iron lung after being struck by polio aged six has died.
Paul Alexander, 78, was expected to survive no more than a few years after contracting the disease in 1952.
But he lived an extraordinary life, qualifying as a lawyer, publishing a book, and travelling widely despite having to live within the
‘His story travelled wide’
300kg ventilator to keep breathing. A friend of Mr Alexander, who was from Dallas, Texas, confirmed that he passed away on Monday in a message shared on a fundraising page used to help the 78-year-old. ‘His story travelled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world,’ Christopher Ulmer said. ‘Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered.’
Mr Alexander’s brother, Philip, added: ‘It is absolutely incredible to read all the comments and know that so many people were inspired by Paul. I am just so grateful.’
Paul Alexander once said: ‘My story is an example of why your disability does not have to define your future.’
Mr Alexander holds the Guinness World Record for the longest time spent living in an iron lung, which was only intended to be used for a few weeks. The metal chamber – which Mr Alexander dubbed his ‘old iron horse’ – required him to lie inside with just his head exposed.
Mr Alexander contracted Covid-19 and was hospitalised in February. His illness left him weak and dehydrated, according to a spokesperson on TikTok, where he had more than 300,000 followers.
He was one of many children placed inside iron lungs during an outbreak of polio in the 1950s. Polio, an infectious disease that affects the nervous system, has been largely been eradicated thanks to a successful vaccination programme.