Paul Alexander: The Man in the Iron Lung
Paul Alexander, who contracted polio at age 6 during the 1952 epidemic, became one of the last people in the world to rely on an iron lung. Paralyzed from the neck down, he lived inside the machine for over 70 years — a symbol of both human endurance and the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Born in 1946 near Dallas, Texas, Paul’s life changed drastically after his diagnosis. He quickly lost the ability to breathe on his own and was placed in an iron lung, where he remained for most of his life. Despite these challenges, Paul achieved remarkable things: he graduated high school and earned a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Practicing law for over 30 years, Paul was also a writer and advocate. He typed his memoir, Three Minutes for a Dog, using a stick attached to a pen. He became well known for using “frog breathing,” a method that allowed him limited time outside the iron lung. Even as modern ventilators replaced iron lungs, Paul chose to stay with the device he had known for decades. He kept it running with the help of volunteers and spare parts from antique machines.
Paul passed away in March 2024. His legacy is one of resilience, intelligence, and the power of the human spirit. His life story also highlights the importance of vaccines and global efforts to eradicate diseases like polio.
