Paul Alexander, who was known as “the man who lived with the iron lung”, died at the age of 78. This is reported by the BBC.
In 1952, when polio was spreading in the United States, 6-year-old Paul Alexander contracted the disease. Due to polio, the boy was completely paralyzed from the neck down and was unable to breathe on his own.
The doctors managed to save his life, but in order to ensure breathing and normal functioning of the body, they put him in a device called “Iron Lung”.
Paul remains inside the cylinder for 78 years. the complications of the disease do not prevent him from getting the education of his dream, as well as publishing a book. He graduated from high school, then entered the university, and in 1984 received a law degree. Two years later, he was admitted to the bar association and has been practicing his favorite business for decades.
After years of being in an iron cylinder, Paul Alexander had learned to breathe on his own and was able to leave the device for short periods of time.
He published his memoirs, and in 2023 he was registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-lived person with an “iron lung”.
In the 1950s, thanks to the polio vaccine, the disease receded, and in the 60s, the “iron lung” fell out of use, but Paul continued to live inside the cylinder because, he said, he got used to it.
In January, he opened a TikTok account with 300,000 followers. He told his followers about his life and achievements, answered their questions. Paul was also an advocate of polio vaccination.
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