The Story of Paul Alexander: Last Man to Live in an Iron Lung
Paul Richard Alexander spent 73 years of his life in an iron lung after surviving a severe polio attack, living a full and inspiring life despite being confined to the machine.
Imagine being confined to a small space for most of your life. A few minutes or hours might seem like too much for most of us, but what if I told you about a man who spent almost his entire life inside a big mechanical device that looked like a coffin? His name was Paul Richard Alexander, and his story is truly inspiring.
Paul was born on 30th January 1946 in Dallas, Texas, USA, to Gus Nicholas Alexander and Doris Marie Emmett. As a young child, he was just like any other happy and energetic kid. He loved to play and run around. But in the early 1950s, a polio outbreak hit the southern part of the United States, and in 1952, when Paul was just 6 years old, he contracted a severe case of polio. The disease left him completely paralyzed, meaning he could not move his arms or legs.
When Paul’s parents rushed him to the hospital, doctors discovered that he had stopped breathing. They quickly placed him in an iron lung, a large mechanical device that helped him breathe.
An iron lung is a cylindrical machine that covers the body, except for the head. It works by creating a vacuum around the body to force the lungs to expand and contract, helping the person breathe. This machine was widely used during the polio outbreaks of the 1930s to 1950s to assist patients whose respiratory muscles were paralyzed.
Paul spent two years in the hospital, but unfortunately, he couldn’t recover enough to breathe on his own. The doctors were not hopeful about his survival, but his parents refused to give up. They decided to take him home with the iron lung, even renting a truck and a portable generator to bring the machine to their house. They were determined to give Paul a chance to live his life, even if it seemed like he wouldn’t have much time left.
Instead of dying, as the doctors had expected, Paul started to improve. His parents and neighbors even helped by pumping the iron lung by hand during power cuts. To help Paul communicate when he needed attention, his father designed an alarm bell that Paul could ring using his mouth.
Paul worked hard on improving his breathing. He learned different techniques to try and breathe without the iron lung. His parents encouraged him by promising him a dog if he could last three minutes without the machine. Paul was scared, but he pushed himself to practice, and eventually, he succeeded in getting the dog he wanted.
As time passed, Paul became stronger and more confident. He began to spend longer periods outside the iron lung, using a wheelchair to move around and even meeting his friends in the neighborhood. For the rest of the day, though, he had to remain in the iron lung, but he lived as normally as possible. He brushed his teeth, had breakfast, and even went to school, all while lying inside the machine.
Paul didn’t stop there. He continued his education and earned a graduate degree. He went on to study law at the University of Dallas and passed the BAR exam at the age of 40. He worked as a lawyer in Dallas, surprising many clients who were amazed to see their lawyer inside an iron lung.
Paul even wrote his own biography, titled “Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung”, which was published in April 2020. He also became a popular figure on TikTok, where he shared his daily life and experiences. His story inspired countless people to never give up, no matter the challenges they face.
In 2021, during an interview with YouTuber Mitch Summers, Paul said, “I never gave up, and I’m not going to.” These words reflect his amazing spirit and determination.
Unfortunately, in February 2024, Paul tested positive for COVID-19. He was treated in the hospital and returned home two weeks later. Sadly, Paul passed away on 11th March 2024 at the age of 78. He had spent 73 years of his life in the iron lung, making him the last person to live in such a machine.
Paul’s story is a powerful reminder of human resilience and the will to live. Despite the odds, he lived a full life, achieving more than most people could imagine. His determination to never give up continues to inspire us all.
What are your thoughts on Paul’s extraordinary life? Let us know in the comments below.
