A LAWYER who lived in an iron lung for seven decades after being struck down with polio has died at the age of 78.
Paul Alexander - widely known as Polio Paul - died on Monday after contracting Covid.
Paul - who had 330,000 followers on TikTok - was left paralysed after suffering polio in 1952 when he was six years old.
After coming back from playing outside with a fever and headache that summer, the deadly virus took hold within a few days and Paul, from Texas, was rushed to hospital.
Doctors operated on him to clear the mucus that had filled his lungs because his body was unable to clear it.
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When he woke up he was in the mechanical contraption — where he would spend the majority of his life.
Despite being mostly confined to the tank, Paul went on to become a lawyer, and was even engaged at one point.
While studying at university, he met a woman called Claire who he later proposed to.
But his hopes of marriage came to a bitter end when Claire's mother banned her from marrying Paul.
After surviving in the machine for seven decades, an update on his GoFundMe page from organiser Christopher Ulmer confirmed Paul had died on Monday.
Disability-rights activist Christopher wrote on Tuesday: "Paul Alexander, 'The Man in the Iron Lung', passed away yesterday.
"After surviving polio as a child, he lived over 70 years inside of an iron lung.
"In this time Paul went to college, became a lawyer, and a published author.
"His story traveled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world.
"Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered.
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"Paul, you will be missed but always remembered."
Paul's cause of death was because of the Covid infection, according to reports.
'STRUGGLING TO EAT'
His social media manager, Lincoln, had posted on his TikTok page late in February to tell his fans he had tested positive after being taken to hospital.
He told Paul's followers: "I know there has been a lot of questions and comments about where have the videos been, is Paul OK.
"Last week he was unfortunately rushed to the emergency room in the hospital, he tested positive for Covid, which is really, really dangerous for somebody with his condition.
"Fortunately they have an iron lung at the hospital just for him, and he was able to come home this weekend.
"But unfortunately he's still kind of weak, he's still got some confusion going around, he's still struggling to eat and hydrate."
Paul had used his TikTok page to answer questions from fans about polio and the iron lung in a series he called Coversations with Paul.
FROG-BREATHING
Polio is a deadly virus that attacks the spinal cord, leaving some survivors paralysed.
It caused annual epidemics through the early 1900s to 1950s, causing tens of thousands of children to lose the use of their limbs each year in the US and Europe.
Symptoms include a high temperature, tiredness, headaches, vomiting a stiff neck and muscle pain.
Many affected children had to be put in iron lungs — 7ft metal cases that use a vacuum to push air in and out of their own lungs.
A vaccine was invented in 1955, largely wiping out the virus and protecting people against it.
But the vaccine came too late for Paul, who was left unable to move from the neck down.
He had a team of rotating carers to clean and look after him, and used his mouth to manipulate a pen when writing or using a phone.
Despite more modern ventilators existing since the 1960s, Paul decided to continue using the iron lung because it was what he was used to.
Other devices can also require a tracheostomy — a hole in the throat — which he never wanted again, after having to have one initially when he was first struck with the virus.
THREE-PIECE SUIT
He lived in the hospital for two years but went on to finish high school, graduate from university with a law degree and practice law for decades.
Paul learnt a technique called frog breathing, which allows people to gulp air down with their throat instead of using their lungs, which gave him short periods outside the device.
He represented clients in court wearing a three-piece suit in a wheelchair that held his body upright.
But as he aged, he had been confined to the device, and lived at a facility in Dallas.
Many well-wishers have continued donating to Paul's GoFundMe page to help contribute to his funeral.
His brother Philip said: "I am so grateful to everybody who donated to my brother’s fundraiser.
"It allowed him to live his last few years stress-free. It will also pay for his funeral during this difficult time.
"It is absolutely incredible to read all the comments and know that so many people were inspired by Paul."
