On March 11, Paul Alexander, known as the man who lived most of his life in an “iron lung”, died at the age of 78. This was reported by “MIR 24” with reference to the Daily Mail.
At age six, Alexander suffered from polio, which left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe on his own. The “iron lung” became his home for many years, but did not break his will to live.
Through rigorous training with a physical therapist, he learned to “swallow” air, which permitted him to leave the machine for several hours. This was enough time to study, communicate and lead an active life.
Despite his limitations, Paul achieved a lot. He graduated from high school, becoming the first in Dallas to do so without attending classes in person. He received his undergraduate education from Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Austin.
Despite his physical limitations, Paul became a successful lawyer and writer. The man traveled a lot, inspiring people with his optimism and resilience.