Paul Alexander, a 76-year-old man, has led an extraordinary life that sets him apart from most others. Throughout the majority of his years, he has relied on an iron lung, making him one of the last remaining users of this outdated respirator, which dates back to 1928.
Despite facing such unusual circumstances, Paul has embraced life to the fullest and refused to accept any limitations imposed on him.
“I am not willing to let anyone dictate the limits of my life. I won’t do it. My life is incredible,” he confidently declares.
Paul’s journey with the iron lung began at the tender age of six when he fell ill at his family’s home in a Dallas suburb. Diagnosed with polio, a devastating disease that paralyzed over 15,000 people before vaccines were available, he found himself unable to hold anything, swallow, or breathe properly.
Remarkably, after being initially pronounced dead, another doctor intervened and performed an emergency tracheotomy, saving Paul’s life. Placed inside the iron lung, a pioneering device that ventilates the human body, he began his recovery, spending a challenging 18 months in its confines.
During that dark year of 1952, approximately 58,000 people, mostly children, contracted polio in the United States, with 3,145 losing their lives. But for Paul, this struggle only fueled his determination to prove naysayers wrong, including doctors who predicted his demise.
Overcoming immense challenges, Paul gradually regained his strength with the help of a therapist named Mrs. Sullivan, who worked diligently to improve his condition. Through perseverance and the practice of a special breathing technique, he eventually spent more time outside the iron lung.
Despite facing discrimination due to his condition, Paul’s tenacity led him to become the first person to graduate with honors from a Dallas high school without physically attending class. He then pursued higher education at Southern Methodist University, overcoming rejections and vaccination requirements.
Becoming a lawyer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Paul had a successful 30-year career in the courtroom. Not one to rest, he even authored a book, typing it out with a pen attached to a stick, showcasing his determination to accomplish his goals independently.
Though modern technology has rendered his type of iron lung obsolete, Paul chooses to stick with it rather than upgrade to newer, more sophisticated ventilators. When his metal lung nearly broke down, he made a desperate YouTube plea and found spare parts from abandoned machines across the country, even with the help of tech enthusiasts.
Having outlived his parents and older brother, Paul is currently working on a second book, a testament to his enduring spirit. He attributes his fulfilling life to his refusal to give up, driven by the desire to achieve the dreams he once thought were beyond reach.
While polio has been eradicated in the United States since 1979, sporadic vaccine-derived cases still arise, serving as a reminder of the importance of ongoing vigilance. Paul Alexander’s life stands as an inspiration to face adversity with determination and optimism, proving that even in the face of immense challenges, one can lead a truly remarkable life.
