Paul Richard Alexander (January 30, 1946 – March 11, 2024) was an American lawyer, author, and one of the last individuals to live inside an iron lung. Contracting paralytic polio at the age of six, he spent over 70 years reliant on the mechanical respirator, becoming a symbol of resilience and determination.

Early Life

Born in Dallas, Texas, Paul was the son of Gus Nicholas Alexander, of Greek descent, and Doris Marie Emmett, of Lebanese heritage. In 1952, during a severe polio outbreak, he contracted the virus, which left him paralyzed from the neck down. Within a week of developing symptoms, he was unable to breathe independently and was placed in an iron lung—a device he would depend on for the rest of his life.

Education and Legal Career

Despite his physical limitations, Paul was determined to pursue education. He became one of the first students in the Dallas Independent School District to receive home-based instruction. Utilizing a pencil attached to a stick held in his mouth, he completed assignments and communicated. He graduated second in his class from W. W. Samuell High School in 1967, becoming the first person to graduate from a Dallas high school without physically attending classes.

Paul earned a bachelor's degree and later a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1986, he was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Dallas and Fort Worth. His legal career spanned over three decades, during which he advocated for clients while continuing to live in his iron lung.

Memoir and Advocacy

In 2020, Paul self-published his memoir, Three Minutes for a Dog, a work that took over eight years to complete. The title references the brief periods he could spend outside the iron lung using a technique called glossopharyngeal breathing, or "frog breathing," which he mastered to gain moments of independence.

Paul became an advocate for disability rights and polio awareness. In early 2024, he joined TikTok, sharing insights into his life and experiences. His account garnered over 330,000 followers, inspiring many with his story of perseverance.

Death and Legacy

Paul Alexander passed away on March 11, 2024, at the age of 78, after contracting COVID-19. His life, marked by extraordinary challenges, became a testament to human resilience. Recognized by Guinness World Records for spending the longest time in an iron lung, his story continues to inspire those facing adversity.

References

1. Paul Alexander (polio survivor) - Wikipedia
2. Paul Alexander, The Man Who Lived In An Iron Lung For 72 Years
3. Paul Alexander, lawyer who lived for decades with an iron lung, dies aged 78
4. Paul Alexander thrived while using an iron lung for decades after contracting polio as a child
5. Paul Alexander, polio survivor who lived in iron lung for 70 years, dies at 78