Paul Alexander, 'Polio Paul,' passes away at 78 after spending 70 years in iron lung

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Paul Alexander, known as "Polio Paul," has died at 78 after spending 70 years in an iron lung due to polio paralysis.

Life in an Iron Lung

Paul Alexander, who was paralyzed from the neck down by polio at the age of six, spent his life in a 600-pound iron lung, unable to breathe on his own.

His death was announced on his GoFundMe page, where Christopher Ulmer described him as an «incredible role model.» «I am so grateful to everybody who donated to my brother's fundraiser. It allowed him to live his last few years stress-free,» said his brother Philip.

Born in 1946, Alexander faced many challenges, including enduring one of the worst polio outbreaks in US history, affecting nearly 58,000 people, mostly children.
Polio, or Poliomyelitis, is a debilitating disease caused by the poliovirus. It attacks the spinal cord, leading to paralysis and difficulty breathing. Alexander underwent an emergency tracheotomy and relied on the iron lung to survive.

The iron lung used a technique called "frog breathing," which allowed Alexander to swallow oxygen one mouthful at a time, pushing it down his throat and into his lungs.

Paul Alexander's story is one of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Despite his condition, he went to college, became a lawyer, and a published author, inspiring people around the world.