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 relied on the machine to breathe for more than 70 years — becoming a powerful symbol of perseverance and a reminder of the devastating toll of vaccine-preventable illnesses.

Born in 1946 near Dallas, Texas, Paul’s life changed forever when polio left him unable to breathe on his own. He was placed in an iron lung — a large, cylindrical respirator — and spent nearly his entire life inside it. Despite his physical limitations, Paul didn’t let the machine define him. He graduated high school, earned a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and practiced law for over three decades.

He also became a published author and advocate. His memoir, Three Minutes for a Dog, was typed using a stick strapped to a pencil, pecking out words letter by letter. Paul became known for mastering a technique called “frog breathing,” which allowed him short periods outside the iron lung. Even as ventilators became more advanced, Paul chose to stick with the device he had depended on for decades, maintaining it with the help of volunteers and salvaged parts from old machines.

Paul passed away in March 2024. His extraordinary life was a testament to human resilience, determination, and intellect. His story not only inspired millions, but also underscored the vital importance of vaccines and the ongoing global fight to eliminate diseases like polio.