‘The Man In The Iron Lung’ Paul Alexander's Cause of Death Revealed

Paul Alexander, known as "The Man in the Iron Lung," passed away at 78 after living over 70 years in the apparatus. His death was confirmed by a healthcare fundraiser organizer. Alexander, who was paralyzed by polio at age six, accomplished remarkable feats, including becoming a lawyer and author.

Despite his physical limitations, he advocated for disability rights. Outliving his family and his original iron lung, Alexander's resilience inspired many. He formed significant relationships and left a lasting legacy of courage and determination.

Paul Alexander, the man who lived in an iron lung for over 70 years, has passed away at 78 from COVID-19, according to a report by the EveningStandard.

In a heartfelt message on Alexander's GoFundMe page, Christopher Ulmer, a disability-rights activist and organizer, announced his passing by writing: "Paul Alexander, "The Man in the Iron Lung" has passed away.

Ulmer praised Alexander's resilience, highlighting his remarkable journey from surviving polio to living over 70 years inside the iron lung.

Despite his physical challenges, Alexander accomplished extraordinary feats, including becoming a lawyer, author, and inspirational figure whose story touched lives worldwide.

"His story traveled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world. Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered," Ulmer added.

Paralyzed from the neck down since contracting polio at age six in 1952, Alexander was one of the last people who relied on the iron lung to breathe, but despite his physical limitations, Alexander's determination led him to achieve notable milestones, such as graduating high school without ever attending a physical class and pursuing higher education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and then law school at the University of Texas, Austin.

The Texas native achieved his dream of becoming a trial lawyer and represented his clients in court, donning a tailored three-piece suit while seated in a specially adapted wheelchair that supported his paralyzed frame in an upright position.

He also advocated for disability rights and chronicled his experiences in a memoir, "Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung," which he painstakingly wrote over five years using a pen attached to a stick held in his mouth.

Remarkably, Alexander outlived his parents, sibling, and even his initial iron lung, which developed air leaks in 2015. A mechanic named Brady Richards came to the rescue after Alexander's plea for help in a YouTube video.

The ventilator, resembling a large yellow metal box, necessitates patients to recline inside with the apparatus secured around their necks. It functions by creating a vacuum to mechanically deliver oxygen to the lungs for individuals affected by polio's impact on their central nervous and respiratory systems.

As there were modern alternatives to the iron lungs, doctors attempted to wean Alexander off the machine during hospital stays, but he would turn blue and pass out. As a result, Alexander's reliance on the iron lung persisted despite the availability of more modern alternatives that often require invasive procedures.

Throughout his lifetime, Alexander never allowed the iron lung to hinder his aspirations, venturing on planes, maintaining independence, attending church, visiting the ocean, and falling in love.

While in university, he met Claire, with whom he eventually became engaged. Reflecting on their relationship, Alexander revealed to The Guardian the challenges they faced, particularly when Claire's mother disapproved of their love and forbade him from speaking to her.

"It took years to heal from that," he shared. Later in life, Alexander built a close bond with Kathy Gaines, who served as his caretaker, describing her as his "arms and legs."

After completing law school, Gaines provided support for over thirty years, with Alexander acknowledging their mutual growth despite Gaines' challenges with legal blindness due to type-1 diabetes.

Following Alexander's passing, His brother, Philip, took to his Facebook page to honor his memory with a touching and heartfelt tribute:

Philip wrote, "It was an honor to be part of someone's life who was as admired as he was. He touched and inspired millions of people and that is no exaggeration."

He added, per DailyMail, "To me, Paul was just a brother.. same as yours.. loving, giving advice, and scolding when necessary, and also a pain in the a--.. normal brother stuff. He commanded a room.. What a flirt! He loved good food, wine, women, long conversations, and laughing. I will miss him so much."

Social media was also flooded with comments praising Alexander for his resilience and bravery.

One person wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "So sad to hear that Paul Alexander passed yesterday at age 78 from Covid-19. Paul contracted polio in 1952 when he was just six years old. He ended up in an iron lung, and while he could live outside it for extended periods of time, he never really left it.

Another said, "Rest in well-deserved peace, you poor man. You were amazing."

Rest in peace, Paul Alexander.