A Man Had Lived Inside an Iron Lung Machine for Over 65 Years
Imagine spending most of your life inside a metal cylinder that breathes for you. That's the reality of Paul Alexander, also known as The Man in the Iron Lung. He has been trapped inside a lung machine since 1952, when he contracted polio at a tender age of six.
Polio is a viral infection that can cause paralysis and respiratory failure. In the 1950s, there was no vaccine or cure for polio, and thousands of children were affected by the disease. Many of them died or ended up in iron lungs, which are devices that create a negative pressure to help the lungs expand and contract.
Paul was one of them. He was initially given up for dead by the doctors, but he survived thanks to an emergency tracheotomy and an iron lung. He woke up in a crowded ward full of other polio patients, unable to move or speak.
But Paul did not give up hope. He learned to communicate by blinking his eyes and moving his head. He also developed a technique called frog breathing , which involves gulping air and swallowing it down. This allowed him to spend some time outside the iron lung, with the help of a physical therapist who promised him a puppy if he could frog-breathe for three minutes.
Paul eventually achieved his dream of becoming a lawyer, graduating from the University of Texas with a pen attached to a stick in his mouth. He practiced law for many years, representing clients from a modified wheelchair that propped up his paralyzed body. He also wrote a book about his life called Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung.
Now in his 70s, Paul is one of the last people in the world still using an iron lung. He spends most of his time inside the machine, which is no longer manufactured or serviced. He relies on volunteers and friends to maintain and repair his iron lung, which he calls his "yellow submarine".
Paul's story is an inspiring example of resilience and courage in the face of adversity. He has overcome many challenges and lived a remarkable life despite his condition. He has also witnessed the development of medical science and technology, which have eradicated polio and improved the lives of many people.
As he says in his book, "I am not unhappy. I have had a good life."
How Paul Alexander Inspires Others with His Iron Lung
Paul Alexander is not only a survivor, but also a teacher and a mentor. He has shared his story and his wisdom with many people, especially young students who are curious about his iron lung and his life.
Paul often gives lectures and interviews via Skype, using a computer that he operates with his mouth. He talks about his experiences with polio, his career as a lawyer, his hobbies and interests, and his views on various topics. He also answers questions from the audience, sometimes with humor and sarcasm.
One of the things that Paul likes to emphasize is the importance of education and learning. He believes that knowledge is power, and that anyone can achieve their goals with hard work and determination. He also encourages people to be grateful for what they have, and to help others in need.
Paul has inspired many people with his positive attitude and his remarkable achievements. He has shown that nothing is impossible, and that life is worth living even in the most difficult circumstances. He has also raised awareness about polio and the need for vaccination, which he considers a "miracle" that saved millions of lives.
Paul Alexander is a man who has lived inside an iron lung for over 65 years, but he is much more than that. He is a man who has lived a full and meaningful life, and who has touched the hearts of many people around the world.
How You Can Support Paul Alexander and His Iron Lung
Paul Alexander is a man who has lived inside an iron lung for over 65 years, but he is not alone. He has a network of friends, volunteers, and supporters who help him maintain and operate his iron lung, which is a rare and obsolete device.
The iron lung is a large metal cylinder that weighs about 700 pounds and measures about seven feet long. It works by creating a vacuum that forces air in and out of Paul's lungs. It is powered by electricity, but it also has a backup battery and a hand pump in case of power outage.
The iron lung is no longer manufactured or serviced by any company. It is also difficult to find spare parts or qualified technicians who can repair it. Paul relies on donations and fundraisers to cover the costs of his iron lung, which can be expensive and unpredictable.
One of the people who helps Paul with his iron lung is Brady Richards, a mechanical engineer who met Paul through a mutual friend. Brady has been fixing and improving Paul's iron lung for several years, using his skills and creativity to keep the machine running. He has also taught Paul how to troubleshoot some of the problems himself.
Another person who helps Paul with his iron lung is Philip Drinker, the grandson of the inventor of the iron lung. Philip has donated some of his grandfather's original parts and documents to Paul, as well as some of his own money. He has also connected Paul with other iron lung users and experts around the world.
If you want to support Paul Alexander and his iron lung, you can visit his website at www.paulalexander.com, where you can learn more about his story, watch his videos, read his book, and make a donation. You can also follow him on social media, where he posts updates and messages.
Paul Alexander is a man who has lived inside an iron lung for over 65 years, but he is also a man who has lived outside the box. He is a man who has overcome many challenges and achieved many goals. He is a man who has inspired many people and made many friends. He is a man who needs your help and appreciation.
Source:
(1) Man, Encased in ‘Iron Lung’ for 70 Years, Pens ... - News18. https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/man-encased-in-iron-lung-for-70-years-pens-autobiography-with-his-mouth-4301522.html.
(2) Man who's lived inside iron lung for over 65 years had to ... - LADbible. https://www.ladbible.com/community/paul-alexander-iron-lung-breathing-817574-20230208.
(3) Meet longest surviving iron lung patient kept alive by a machine for 70 .... https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/3/meet-longest-surviving-iron-lung-patient-kept-alive-by-a-machine-for-70-years-741881.
(4) Man using iron lung machine to breathe for nearly 70 years - ARY News. https://arynews.tv/iron-lung-machine-paul-alexander-polio/.
(5) Man Has Been Using Iron Lung Machine For Over 65 Years - LADbible. https://www.ladbible.com/community/weird-man-has-been-living-inside-iron-lung-machine-for-over-65-years-20210512.
FAQ's
How long did people have to live in an iron lung?
two weeks Rows of iron lungs filled hospital wards at the height of the polio outbreaks of the 1940s and 1950s, helping children, and some adults, with bulbar polio and bulbospinal polio. A polio patient with a paralyzed diaphragm would typically spend two weeks inside an iron lung while recovering.
Is the last iron lung survivor still alive?
“They said, 'You can do anything. ' And I believed it.” Today, at the age of 77, Paul Alexander is the longest iron lung patient ever. Paul has been using his negative-pressure ventilator for 70 years, and currently spends most of his day inside the machine in his house.
Is the man in the iron lung still alive 2023?
Since Alexander was paralyzed from the neck down, his diaphragm was unable to function. To fix this, the doctors encased him in an iron lung – a ventilator that helps him breathe. Alexander is actually one of the last people alive in the world today still inside an iron lung.
Did people survive iron lung?
The machine was common during the polio epidemic, and Paul Alexander is one of the last people to be in one. The iron lung works to change the air pressure and stimulate breathing. It has been the home of 76-year-old Alexander, keeping him alive for 70 years.
