The Last Few Polio Survivors – Last of the Iron Lungs | Gizmodo

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Published 2017-11-20
Paul Alexander is one of the last few remaining polio survivors that depend on iron lungs—half-century-old machines that force inhabitants to breathe. I met Alexander a few times in his small house in Dallas. He spends nearly every moment in his iron lung in the center of his living room, which is decorated with degrees, awards, pictures of family, and a drawing of the Scottish folk singer Donovan, who had polio. When people enter the front door a few feet away from him, he usually greets them with a warm upside-down smile, reflected in the mirror above his head.

One of the times I visited Alexander, I walked in on him editing a memoir that’s set to be published in a few months. He types and answers the phone with his mouth, using a capped pen attached to a plastic wand he clenches with his teeth. During another visit, his friend and mechanical savior Brady Richards stopped by to check in on Alexander.

Alexander, who got polio in 1952 when he was 6, is almost entirely paralyzed below the neck but that hasn’t stopped him from going to law school and becoming a trial lawyer. “When I transferred to University of Texas, they were horrified to think that I was going to bring my iron lung down, but I did, and I put it in the dorm, and I lived in the dorm with my iron lung,” he told me. “I had a thousand friends before it was over with, who all wanted to find out what’s that guy downstairs with a head sticking out of a machine doing here?”

Alexander, who got polio in 1952 when he was 6, is almost entirely paralyzed below the neck but that hasn’t stopped him from going to law school and becoming a trial lawyer. “When I transferred to University of Texas, they were horrified to think that I was going to bring my iron lung down, but I did, and I put it in the dorm, and I lived in the dorm with my iron lung,” he told me. “I had a thousand friends before it was over with, who all wanted to find out what’s that guy downstairs with a head sticking out of a machine doing here?”

-Jennings Brown

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All Comments (21)
  • @calvinkulit
    He may have an iron lung, but he has a golden soul and a diamond heart.
  • @icelandisniceland8508
    This is impossible to understand how it is possible to survive this situation for 70 years and still be mentally ok. What a strong good mind in this man and all respect for this unbelievable acceptance he has and this will power to go to school and learn and everything when most people would give up and stop living life.
  • @DevinJarosz
    “Just a few months after he got it they got a vaccine” That’s actually so sad
  • @JustynHill-Hand
    You're telling me that in nearly 70 years no one was able to give this man a more reliable and modern breathing device?
  • @EvanBreitbeck
    Rest In Peace Paul Alexander 1/30/46-3/11/24. A man of incredible willpower, perseverance, and intelligence. To live in that state for so many decades yet still work in the legal profession and write a biography with solely his mouth is nothing short of incredible.
  • @beepboop3812
    The fact he was able to become a lawyer & start his own practice despite all this is incredible. Dude is an inspiration
  • @rdawg9033
    Polio sounds a lot scarier than the coronavirus
  • @Statchypoo
    This guy got polio, and is still an accomplished lawyer?! Truly inspiring.
  • @watchuwant1560
    Can't believe there are people who are willingly risking their childrens health/lives by not getting the polio vaccine. It's rare now but polio never left completly This man is so unbelievably strong, and brilliant. He's accomplished so much.
  • @natenelson2180
    I’ve realized that I’ve never had a bad day in my life Prayers for Paul and his amazing strength
  • @jioarabit986
    I have no right to complain about anything in my life
  • @gfuelsoccermom5307
    At first I was like “ awe man poor guy, he’s probably done nothing in his life because of that horrible machine” but when I saw that he had accomplished so much even with his holdbacks, it made me realize what a lazy sack of shit I am
  • @Misterwhistle
    I caught polio in 1956 at the age of 18 months. Thankfully our family doctor was on the ball and told my parents I was to be immediately put in the hospital. Absolutely no contact was to be made by my parents for 10 weeks. I was wrapped cocoon like in hot towels constantly. The idea was zero physical activity would protect the nerves.My parents could only watch from a small window behind me. After that it was years of physical therapy at home on the dining room table. That is the only part of the whole ordeal I remember. I will be forever thankful to Dr.White and my parents for taking the path they did. The neighbours, who also had Dr. White were not so lucky because the mother could stand to be separated from her two children. They both ended up with leg braces. I am 68 now and Post Polio Syndrome is starting to appear in my calves. Unfortunately little is known about it and little can be done. Excessive exercise only makes is worse. So I also plead to young parents to get your children vaccinated for this horrible affliction. You probably had all your vaccinations as a child and you should not deprive your children of a chance at a healthy life. Polio will reappear.
  • @michellewilliston1937
    I'm so glad we have a vaccine for this now 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 R.I.P. to all the poor children who where affected by this😥😥
  • @MON_MOSO_MON
    今日亡くなられたというニュースを聞きました。この場を借りて哀悼の意を捧げます。 遠い異国の彼を見て人間の意志の力の素晴らしさを感じ、自身がつらいときやくじけそうになった時にポールさんのことを思い奮い立ったものです。 少しでも彼のような強く・優しい人間になれるようこれからも頑張っていきたいと思います。 本当にお疲れさまでした。そしてありがとうございました。