Paul Alexander has spent more than 68 years living inside an iron lung, leading an extraordinary life. During his childhood, he engaged in typical activities like playing with friends, running in the grass, and creating art. However, the summer of 1952 changed everything, confining his body to the iron lung. Despite the challenges, Paul draws strength from his existence and considers himself to be leading a content life. That fateful year claimed many lives, and doctors predicted that Paul wouldn’t survive for long, but he defied the odds.
The summer of 1952 was a nightmare time for many, marked by high temperatures and the spread of poliomyelitis, which was particularly perilous for young children. The lack of a polio vaccine at the time led to desperate measures such as curfews, restricted public gatherings, and citywide insecticide spraying. Amidst these events, a sudden onset of polio symptoms interrupted Paul’s playtime, leading to his diagnosis by a visiting doctor.
Despite spending most of his time in the iron lung, Paul’s mother sought help from Dr. Mrs. Sullivan, who taught him techniques to breathe independently. Paul’s perseverance paid off as he gradually gained the ability to leave the iron lung for short periods. He continued his education and eventually pursued a successful career as a lawyer, using a specialized chair to attend court hearings. Alongside his work, he remained actively engaged in church activities and enjoyed spending time by the ocean.
Like most lawyers, Paul has an extremely short fuse by nature, but he’s also pleasant and quick to forgive. Paul was able to enjoy all of life’s pleasures thanks to all of this. He spent a great deal of time fighting for the rights of disabled people because, more than anyone else, he was aware of all the challenges they faced. Sadly, Paul’s health has failed him and drastically declined in recent years.
Yes, all of this may seem absurd and humorous to others, but Paul is accustomed to finishing what he starts, regardless of the difficulties.
He is, after all, among the fortunate few who have survived during a period when the illness has taken thousands of lives. And he considers working while sleeping in a capsule and holding a pen in his mouth to be insignificant. His personal life never really turned out the way he had hoped. Despite the fact that his eyes brighten when he speaks about Katie, his caregiver of several years, he disputes everything.
