Texas Man, Paul Alexander, Who Spent Over 70 Years in Iron Lung Due to Polio, Passes Away at 78

Texas man, Paul Alexander, known for spending over 70 years in an iron lung due to polio contracted in the 1940s, has passed away at 78, as confirmed by his longtime friend Daniel Spinks.

Mr. Alexander, who had recently been hospitalized with a Covid-19 diagnosis, passed away 26at a Dallas hospital, though the specific cause of death is not yet known.

Paul Alexander began using an iron lung at the age of six, a device that enveloped his body, maintaining air pressure to assist with breathing. Despite his physical challenges, he gained widespread recognition in recent years through his TikTok account “Conversations With Paul,” accumulating millions of views and sharing his positive outlook on life.

Described as a beacon of positivity, Mr. Alexander’s presence left a lasting impact on those around him, according to Mr. Spinks. Despite being paralyzed from the neck down, Paul maintained an active lifestyle, with Mr. Spinks often assisting him in attending court proceedings and other outings, where he spent several hours outside the iron lung, relying on it primarily at home or in his office.

As he aged, Paul encountered difficulties breathing outside the iron lung for extended periods, ultimately leading him to retire back to its support. Despite his physical limitations, he achieved academic success, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Texas in 1978 and later obtaining a law degree from the same institution in 1984.

In an interview with The Dallas Morning News in 2018, Paul credited his unwavering faith and the support of his late parents for his resilience and determination.

His parents instilled in him the belief that he could accomplish anything, serving as a driving force throughout his life.

Polio, once a feared disease causing paralysis primarily in children, saw a significant decline with the introduction of vaccines in the 1950s. By 1979, polio was declared eliminated in the US, marking a milestone in public health efforts to combat the disease.