Paul Alexander: The Man Who Lived 70 Years in an Iron Lung

Paul Alexander, the man who lived for 70 years inside an "iron lung", has died at the age of 78 after spending nearly his entire life enclosed in his survival machine. The sad story began in 1952, when as a child he contracted poliomyelitis, which paralyzed him from the neck down. From that moment, he always lived in a sort of iron cage that breathed for him. Despite the paralysis, Paul, also known as "Polio Paul", never gave up and always kept smiling through all the challenges he faced: he graduated, became a lawyer, wrote books, and traveled around the world. He never wanted to consider the new technologies that were developed over the decades, but always remained faithful to his iron lung. The choice was not wrong, considering that Paul survived both his parents and his brother. In 2015, the machine had serious problems, but it was repaired by Brady Richards, a technician whom Polio Paul contacted through the internet. During his university years, he met Claire, with whom he was engaged for several years. The "iron lung" is a type of ventilator, a large yellow metal box, inside which the patient must lie with the device firmly attached around the neck. The machinery is designed specifically for subjects whose respiratory function is compromised due to poliomyelitis. During a hospital stay, doctors tried to make Paul breathe on his own, turning off the machine and forcing him to get out, but the man fainted instantly. Despite the availability of more modern ventilators, Paul decided to continue using his "iron lung" to which he had become accustomed. On the day before yesterday (Tuesday, March 12), the GoFundMe page dedicated to Paul announced his passing, which occurred the previous day. His brother Philip also wanted to pay tribute to Paul, thanking everyone who contributed to the fundraiser and highlighting the positive impact his story has had on many lives.