In a world of modern medicine, Paul Alexander was a living bridge to a different era. Known to many as “Polio Paul,” he spent over 70 years living inside an iron lung after contracting the disease during the 1952 outbreak. The yellow, horizontal canister that encased his body was a relic of the past, yet it was the very thing that allowed him to lead an extraordinary, full life.

Paul’s story was not one of tragedy, but of immense resilience. Despite being paralyzed from the neck down, he graduated from high school, became a lawyer, and even wrote a memoir—all while relying on a machine that most people only see in history books. He learned a technique called “frog breathing” that allowed him to leave the machine for short periods, but the iron lung remained his home and his sanctuary.

His presence on social media in his later years turned him into a global symbol of perseverance. He used his platform to advocate for the importance of vaccinations, reminding the world of the devastating reality of polio before the Salk vaccine. To his followers, he wasn’t just a man in a machine; he was a mentor who taught the value of every breath.

Paul Alexander passed away in March 2024, leaving behind a legacy that transcends medical history. His life served as a testament to the human spirit’s ability to adapt and thrive under the most restrictive circumstances. He proved that a life is not defined by the limitations of the body, but by the depth of the mind and the strength of the will.