Paul Alexander, who spent his life in an iron lung due to polio contracted as a child, passed away on Monday at the age of 78 in a Dallas hospital, confirmed his longtime friend Daniel Spinks. While Alexander had recently been hospitalized after testing positive for Covid-19, the exact cause of death is unknown.
Despite his physical challenges, Alexander's remarkable journey included training himself to breathe independently for parts of the day, earning a law degree, writing a book detailing his experiences, amassing a significant following on social media, and inspiring countless individuals with his unwavering positivity.
Diagnosed with polio at the age of 6 in 1952, Alexander was left paralyzed from the neck down, necessitating the use of an iron lung—an apparatus that regulated his breathing by alternately increasing and decreasing air pressure within a cylindrical chamber surrounding his body. Despite his physical limitations, Alexander gained widespread recognition on platforms like TikTok, where his uplifting messages garnered millions of views.
Described as a beacon of positivity, Alexander's influence extended far beyond his physical confinement. Through his "Conversations With Paul" series on TikTok, he conveyed his steadfast belief in the power of positivity, even as the rhythmic sound of the iron lung underscored his resilience.
Spinks emphasized how Alexander's optimistic outlook profoundly impacted those around him, describing his presence as enlightening. Over the years, Alexander developed techniques to briefly step away from the iron lung, utilizing a stick in his mouth to operate a computer and communicate by phone. However, as he aged, the challenges of breathing outside the iron lung increased, leading him to spend more time within its confines.
Gary Cox, a longtime friend of Alexander, recalled his infectious smile and unfailing friendliness, noting that he exuded happiness wherever he went. Alexander chronicled his extraordinary life journey in a book titled "Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung," published in 2020. The title reflects a childhood promise made by his nurse: the gift of a dog if he could manage to breathe independently for three minutes—a testament to his enduring spirit and determination.
