Paul Alexander, 78-year-old Dallas man who lived in an iron lung for most of his life, dies

Paul Alexander, a resident of North Texas who spent the majority of his life reliant on an iron lung, has passed away.

His obituary states that he departed on March 11th at the age of 78. Alexander gained widespread recognition through his presence on social media, where he shared anecdotes and insights into the experience of living with an iron lung. This unique existence stemmed from his survival of polio during the 1950s.

Despite the challenges imposed by his condition, Alexander’s life was marked by remarkable achievements. He pursued a law degree, successfully cleared the bar exam, established a thriving legal practice, and even ventured into the realm of published authorship, as detailed in his GoFundMe campaign.

The GoFundMe initiative emerged in response to Alexander’s vulnerability to exploitation by former caregivers. The funds garnered were dedicated to the maintenance of his iron lung, as well as his housing and healthcare needs.

Expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support, Alexander’s brother, Philip, acknowledged the contributions made to his sibling’s fundraiser. These contributions not only facilitated a stress-free existence in his final years but also ensured provisions for his funeral expenses during this challenging period.

The cause of Alexander’s demise remains unspecified.

Recent events prior to his passing involved a health scare. His social media manager disclosed, via video, that Alexander had been admitted to the emergency room and hospitalized after contracting COVID-19. Subsequently, he was discharged from the hospital.