Paul Alexander, one of the last few people in the United States living inside an iron lung, passed away at the age of 78. Despite being paralyzed by polio at the age of 6, Mr. Alexander defied the odds and went on to earn a law degree and practice law for over 30 years. His life was mostly confined to the yellow iron lung that kept him alive, but that did not stop him from sharing his story on TikTok in his final weeks.
Mr. Alexander contracted polio in 1952 and was quickly paralyzed, requiring him to rely on the iron lung to breathe. Despite advancements in technology, his chest muscles were too damaged to use any other machine, making him dependent on the iron lung for much of his life. With the help of caregivers, he was able to perform basic tasks inside the machine.
In his TikTok videos, Mr. Alexander shared the emotional and mental challenges of living inside an iron lung, offering advice to others who may be struggling. He received an outpouring of support from his followers, which moved him deeply.
Despite the limitations imposed by his condition, Mr. Alexander managed to graduate from high school and attend college, eventually earning his law degree in 1984. He is survived by his family, and his funeral service is scheduled for March 20 in Dallas.
In his final video posted on TikTok, Mr. Alexander expressed his gratitude for the support he received, saying, “It makes me feel like there’s somebody that really cares about me. I wish I could hug every one of you.” His story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
