logo
Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

Man Who Has Lived Inside Iron Lung For More Than 70 Years Relives Harrowing Moment Machine Stopped Working

by Davy

Paul Alexander, a resilient survivor who has lived within the confines of an iron lung for over seven decades, recently shared a harrowing experience when his life-support machine ceased to function.

This incident highlights not only the precarious nature of his existence but also the incredible journey of a man who refused to let polio define his life. Through his story, we gain insight into the challenges faced by those living with post-polio syndrome and the remarkable achievements Paul has accomplished despite his condition.

Paul Alexander from Dallas, Texas, has become a symbol of extraordinary resilience and determination. Having contracted polio at the tender age of six, Paul was left paralyzed from the neck down, necessitating the use of an iron lung to assist his breathing.

This mechanical respirator has been his constant companion for most of his life, enabling him to survive against all odds.

The 78-year-old has recently taken to TikTok to share insights into his unique life, engaging with a curious audience through his series "Convos with Paul!" It was here that Paul recounted the terrifying moment his iron lung malfunctioned, a scenario that posed an immediate threat to his life.

The machine, powered by electricity, is essential for his breathing, and any failure could be fatal. Paul vividly described how, during a power outage, the cessation of the iron lung's operation meant he was moments away from suffocation.

In a testament to human courage and quick thinking, Paul shared how his attendant, Kathy, saved his life by manually breathing for him until the machine could be restarted.

This incident underscores the fragility of his existence and the constant vigilance required to maintain it.

Despite the challenges, Paul's life is a beacon of hope and achievement. He has not only survived but thrived, obtaining two law degrees, authoring a book about his life, and running a legal practice.

His story is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity and the importance of advocating for those vulnerable to diseases like polio.

Paul's journey is not just a personal triumph; it's a call to action to ensure that no child has to face the threat of polio again. Through his social media presence, he aims to raise awareness about the disease and the critical need for vaccination to prevent future epidemics. Paul Alexander's life, lived with grace and determination inside an iron lung, is a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

Share this article:

Facebook icon Pinterest icon Tumblr icon Link icon Twitter icon

Related Articles

Drone Descending Into The Great Blue Hole Attacked By Deep-Sea Creature

Drone Descending Into The Great Blue Hole Attacked By Deep-Sea Creature

Jeremy Clarkson Shares Why He Purchased A Farm In 2008 Despite Having No Farming Experience

Jeremy Clarkson Shares Why He Purchased A Farm In 2008 Despite Having No Farming Experience

Airline Expert Debunks Common Myths About Finding The Cheapest Plane Tickets

Airline Expert Debunks Common Myths About Finding The Cheapest Plane Tickets

Fans Are Only Now Realizing The 'Meaning' Behind Nintendo's Iconic Name

Fans Are Only Now Realizing The 'Meaning' Behind Nintendo's Iconic Name

42 Healthy Relationship Memes For Couples Who Understand Love Languages

42 Healthy Relationship Memes For Couples Who Understand Love Languages

If You Recognize More Than 15 Of These Pictures, You Might Be Getting Old

If You Recognize More Than 15 Of These Pictures, You Might Be Getting Old

21 Bizarre “Accidental Camouflage” Instances That Completely Stumped Us

21 Bizarre “Accidental Camouflage” Instances That Completely Stumped Us

UK Truck Driver Leaves Many Speechless After Revealing His Paycheck On The Internet

UK Truck Driver Leaves Many Speechless After Revealing His Paycheck On The Internet

14 Fierce Female Leaders Of The Animal Kingdom You Need To Know

14 Fierce Female Leaders Of The Animal Kingdom You Need To Know

25 Beloved Products You Won't Believe Were Invented By Accident

25 Beloved Products You Won't Believe Were Invented By Accident

How A Man Endured 438 Days At Sea Without Food Or Water

How A Man Endured 438 Days At Sea Without Food Or Water

Cameron Diaz Advocates For 'Sleep Divorce' As This Trend Gains Popularity

Cameron Diaz Advocates For 'Sleep Divorce' As This Trend Gains Popularity

She Quit Her 9 to 5 — 35 Y.O. Woman Transforms Side Job Into A $141M Empire

She Quit Her 9 to 5 — 35 Y.O. Woman Transforms Side Job Into A $141M Empire

Gen Z Feel That Thumbs-Up Emoji Needs To Go, They Interpret It As Rude

Gen Z Feel That Thumbs-Up Emoji Needs To Go, They Interpret It As Rude

Prolific Artist Shows How Pop Culture Of The 21st Century Evolved Through The Years

Prolific Artist Shows How Pop Culture Of The 21st Century Evolved Through The Years

New Pageant Queen Confronts Abuser Who Attended Ceremony

New Pageant Queen Confronts Abuser Who Attended Ceremony

Scientist Reveals Unusual Theory Suggesting We Are Always 'Living In The Past'

Scientist Reveals Unusual Theory Suggesting We Are Always 'Living In The Past'

Streamer Reveals Massive Fortune He Risks Losing If He Stops Running Ads, And These Numbers Are Insane

Streamer Reveals Massive Fortune He Risks Losing If He Stops Running Ads, And These Numbers Are Insane

7 Hidden Hazards In Hotels Revealed By A Former Employee

7 Hidden Hazards In Hotels Revealed By A Former Employee

Three New Gen Z Terms Added To The Dictionary - Millennials Might Not Know Them

Three New Gen Z Terms Added To The Dictionary - Millennials Might Not Know Them

Eminem Debunks Popular Fan Theory About His New Album

Eminem Debunks Popular Fan Theory About His New Album

25 Costly Mistakes That Are Both Hilarious And Heartbreaking

25 Costly Mistakes That Are Both Hilarious And Heartbreaking

Top 20 Hilarious Tweets About The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Top 20 Hilarious Tweets About The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Cat Owner Made The Ultimate Cat-Sitting Manual To Ensure Her Cats Get Royal Treatment

Cat Owner Made The Ultimate Cat-Sitting Manual To Ensure Her Cats Get Royal Treatment

Fans Outraged - The Netflix Thriller Everyone's Begging To Bring Back After A Shocking Cancellation

Fans Outraged - The Netflix Thriller Everyone's Begging To Bring Back After A Shocking Cancellation

Retro Tech Photos That'll Make You Remember The Dial-Up Tone

Retro Tech Photos That'll Make You Remember The Dial-Up Tone

Categories

Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

Business

About Us Advertise Contact Us

Legal

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy DMCA Removal
 Logo
About Us Privacy DMCA Removal Contact Us Terms Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

© 2025 - All Rights Reserved

 logo

Sign In to

facebook icon Sign in with facebook
facebook icon Sign in with google

Or sign in with email

Need an account? Sign Up

Forgot Password?

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service

 logo

Sign Up to

Already have an account? Sign In

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service

Edit profile

User Photo