Paul Alexander: Tributes pour in as 'man in the iron lung' who contracted polio at 6 dies aged 78

DALLAS, TEXAS: Tributes have poured in after Paul Alexander, known as "the man in the iron lung", died at age of 78 on March 11.

Paul contracted polio in 1952 at the age of six, which resulted in his whole body being paralysed below the neck.

This resulted in doctors placing the Dallas, Texas, resident in a metal cylinder where he would spend the remainder of his life.

Paul Alexander's brother Philip Alexander announced his death 

Paul Alexander's brother Philip Alexander announced the news of his death on March 11 on Facebook.

He wrote, "With a heavy heart I need to say my brother passed last night. It was an honor to be part of someone's life who was as admired as he was."

He said, "He touched and inspired millions of people and that is no exaggeration."

Philip further said, "To me, Paul was just a brother..same as yours..loving, giving advice, and scolding when necessary, and also a pain in the a**..normal brother stuff."

"He commanded a room. What a flirt! He loved good food, wine, women, long conversations, learning, and laughing. I will miss him so much. RIP," he added. 

How did Paul Alexander die?

The specific cause of Paul's death was not disclosed. However, Alexander was admitted to the hospital in late February following a positive Covid test, as stated by his social media manager on TikTok.

Paul had faced difficulties with eating and drinking after being discharged from the hospital. He was reportedly told by the doctors he would not live much longer after he remained in the hospital for a year in 1952 when he was operated on.

During those days, iron lungs were commonly used on Polio patients. However, to the surprise of all, he managed to live seven decades and also registered his name in the Guinness World Record as the longest-surviving iron lung patient.

In addition to completing his education at home, he mastered the arts of drawing, writing, and painting without the use of his hands.

His 2020 memoir, 'Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung' was composed by typing on a computer with a pencil held in his mouth, as shared on his TikTok.

Paul Alexander's GoFundMe will also cover his funeral expenses

Paul Alexander's death was also announced on his GoFundMe which was set up to help with his finances. 

“I am so gratitude to everybody who donated to my brother’s fundraiser," Phillip wrote on the fundraiser.

"It allowed him to live his last few years stress-free. It will also pay for his funeral during this difficult time," he said, adding "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 after surviving polio in the 1950s, eventually received a law degree, passed the bar, and opened up a successful practice for 30 years, as per the GoFundMe.

According to BBC, after years, Alexander eventually learned to breathe by himself so that he was able to leave the iron lung for short periods. 

After graduating from high school, he pursued further education at Southern Methodist University. In 1984, he earned a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Two years after being admitted to the bar, he embarked on a legal career that spanned several decades.

But he had been rendered unable to leave his iron lung or work some time ago, and this "inability to leave his iron lung is what left him vulnerable," as mentioned on the fundraiser.

Tributes pour in for Paul Alexander - the longest-surviving man in the iron lung

Tributes flooded social media networks following Paul Alexander's death as many appreciated his will and said he was an inspiration. 

"Paul didn’t let his condition stop him from accomplishing what he wanted in life. Paul was a lawyer in Dallas and Fort Worth for many years after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin," an X user wrote.

"And then there is you always complaining and not being grateful. May his soul RIP, one more wrote. 

"This is beyond incredible that this man lived his life this way and achieved what many told themselves they can’t while out in the world. I have no excuse to say I can’t do anything or give up on my dreams RIP Paul," wrote one more.

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