Paul Alexander, a.k.a. “Polio Paul,” made a lasting impression on the globe with his extraordinary fortitude and unbreakable attitude. Paul was born in 1946, in the midst of the most devastating polio outbreak in US history, and he had to overcome incredible obstacles at an early age.
Paul Alexander’s life changed dramatically at the age of six when he had polio, a crippling illness that can be fatal and is brought on by the poliovirus. His spinal cord was attacked by the virus, paralyzing him from the neck down. Paul was unable to breathe on his own and was sent to a hospital in Texas, where he was placed inside an iron lung, a mechanical marvel, and given a new lease on life.
Paul Alexander’s life became entwined with the iron lung—a gigantic, 600-pound metallic contraption that provided him with a lifeline—for the next seven decades. He was unable to move or speak, so he had to rely on the iron lung to breathe for him. The steady pulsations of the lung gave him the oxygen he sorely needed.
In spite of all that happened to him, Paul’s spirit never wavered. He disregarded the restrictions placed on him by his illness, going on to complete his higher studies and eventually finding success as a published author and lawyer. His tale captured people’s hearts all throughout the world, and his bravery and tenacity inspired countless others.
Despite the limitations of his iron lung, Paul Alexander remained engaged with the world around him, touching the lives of everyone he encountered. His journey was marked by milestones that demonstrated his unwavering determination to live life to the fullest. When we think back on his extraordinary life, we remember a man who defied the odds, leaving an indelible mark on the world and reminding us all of the power of the human spirit.
Paul Alexander’s passing serves as a powerful reminder of the need for ongoing efforts to end polio and provide assistance to those who are impacted by this terrible illness. Paul’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating effects that polio can have on both individuals and communities, even though the illness has been effectively eradicated worldwide thanks to vaccine campaigns.
While we pay tribute to Paul Alexander, let us reaffirm our dedication to eradicating the crippling consequences of polio worldwide. May his memory motivate us to work toward a time when everyone can live a life of opportunity, health, and dignity.
Paul’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. His legacy will live on, inspiring future generations to overcome obstacles and embrace life with courage and determination. Paul faced health challenges in his final years, including pain in his legs and a persistent respiratory infection. Despite these hardships, he continued to inspire those around him.
Unimaginable obstacles faced Paul Alexander throughout his life, but he never lost hope or courage. Paul was bitten by polio at the age of six, changing his life forever. He was born in 1946, during one of the worst outbreaks of the disease in US history.
Paul Alexander’s youthful body was ruthlessly attacked by polio, a persistent and potentially fatal disease brought on by the poliovirus, which left him immobile from the neck down. The bright vitality of youth was suddenly replaced by the isolation of a hospital room, where Paul was forced to rely on a machine—a massive iron lung that weighed 600 pounds—to breathe for him.
Paul Alexander’s life was entwined for seventy long years with the steady hum of the iron lung, a mechanical wonder that was both his constant friend and life preserver. He was unable to move or speak, so he had to rely on its mechanical hug to give him the rare oxygen his body so desperately needed.
Even with such severe obstacles, Paul’s determination never wavered. He was determined to not let his illness limit him, so he pursued schooling and carved out a career that eventually led him to become a published author and lawyer. People all throughout the world were moved by his incredible narrative, which offered inspiration and hope in the face of hardship.
Paul Alexander’s unshakeable spirit and resilience shone brilliantly throughout his journey, becoming an example of courage and tenacity for others to follow. Using a plastic stick with a pen attached as a form of communication, he created connections and made a positive impact on those around him by typing messages on a keyboard.
Paul Alexander passed away in 2022, yet his legacy lives on. Numerous people are still inspired and uplifted by his narrative, which is a monument to the triumph of the human spirit and serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of resiliency, willpower, and the human spirit.
Let’s recommit to eradicating polio and providing support to those impacted by this crippling illness as we remember Paul Alexander. I hope his incredible journey serves as a reminder that the human spirit can overcome hardship and shine brilliantly in the midst of darkness, even in the face of apparently insurmountable obstacles.