Last man in U.S. living in iron lung has died. ‘You will always be ... remembered’
The last man in the United States living in an iron lung died May 12, according to a GoFundMe account set up on his behalf.
Alexander contracted polio in 1956 when he was just 6 years old.
Despite living in an iron lung for more than seven decades, Alexander lived quite the life. As Parade reports and he shared on TikTok, Alexander was able to practice law, receiving his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986.
Alexander was open about his life in an iron lung on social media. Known as Paul “Polio Paul” Alexander on TikTok, he shared several videos with his over 330,000 followers.
News that Alexander wasn’t well surfaced back in February when his social media assistant revealed that he was rushed to the ER after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Alexander said it was through concentration that he was able to overcome the obvious obstacles he faced when attending law school.
As his GoFundMe campaign revealed, after graduating and passing the bar, Paul started a successful practice. However, when he was unable to leave the iron lung and go to work, it reportedly left Paul “vulnerable to theft by those he trusted.”
The lack of funds left him struggling “to maintain his iron lung, afford healthcare, and find housing that accommodates his needs. Paul lives in a small one-room apartment that does not have a window.”
After revealing news of his passing, the GoFundMe’s organizer, Christopher Ulmer thanked Alexander for sharing his story with the world. “You will be missed but always remembered.”
Alexander’s brother also shared a statement on GoFundMe, writing, he had so much gratitude for “everybody who donated to my brother’s fundraiser. It allowed him to live his last few years stress-free. It will also pay for his funeral during this difficult time. It is absolutely incredible to read all the comments and know that so many people were inspired by Paul. I am just so grateful.”
This story was originally published March 14, 2024 at 9:47 AM.