Paul Alexander, who contracted polio during the 1952 outbreak at just six years old, became one of the last people in the world to live inside an iron lung. Paralyzed from the neck down, he spent more than 70 years inside the machine — a powerful symbol of human resilience and a reminder of the devastating impact of diseases that vaccines can prevent.

Born in 1946 just outside Dallas, Texas, Paul’s life changed forever when polio robbed him of the ability to breathe on his own. He was placed in an iron lung, a large mechanical respirator that kept him alive — and became his home for most of his life.

Despite unimaginable challenges, Paul achieved incredible milestones. He graduated from high school, earned a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and went on to practice law for more than 30 years. He also became a published writer and advocate, typing his memoir, Three Minutes for a Dog, by tapping keys with a stick attached to a pen.

Paul was also known for mastering “frog breathing,” a technique that allowed him to occasionally leave the iron lung for short periods. While modern ventilators eventually replaced iron lungs, Paul chose to stay with the machine he had known for decades, keeping it running with the help of volunteers and spare parts salvaged from vintage units.

Paul passed away in March 2024 at the age of 78. His extraordinary life is a testament to courage, perseverance, and the strength of the human spirit. His story also underscores the critical role of vaccines and global efforts to eliminate diseases like polio once and for all.