“Paul Alexander, who was paralyzed by polio as a child and relies on an iron lung, defied his condition by learning to breathe without assistance for a portion of each day. Despite his limitations, he earned a law degree, penned a memoir, established a significant presence on social media, and served as a source of inspiration to many with his optimistic attitude.”

Sadly, Alexander passed away at a Dallas hospital on Monday at the age of 78. This information was shared by his close friend, Daniel Spinks. According to Spinks, Alexander had been admitted to the hospital due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, but the exact reason for his passing is unknown at this time.

In 1952, at the age of 6, Alexander was diagnosed with polio. This resulted in paralysis from the neck down and he relied on an iron lung for breathing. This device enclosed his body and used air pressure to regulate his lung function. On his TikTok account, he garnered millions of views.

Spinks shared that he adored laughter, describing the person as a shining presence in the world.

In a video on TikTok titled “Conversations With Paul”, Alexander expresses that he prioritizes positivity in his life as he reclines on a pillow while the sound of an iron lung can be heard in the background.

“According to Spinks, Alexander’s optimistic attitude greatly impacted those around him. Spinks stated, ‘Being in Paul’s presence was enlightening in numerous ways.'”

According to Spinks, Alexander acquired the ability to breathe in large quantities of air in order to spend some time outside of the iron lung. By using a stick in his mouth, Alexander was able to operate a computer and make phone calls, as reported by Spinks.

Spinks stated that as he aged, he experienced increased difficulty with breathing outside of the lung for extended periods, leading him to ultimately retire to life exclusively in the lung.

Gary Cox, a college buddy of Alexander’s, remarked that his friend had a perpetual smile. Cox added, “He was incredibly amiable. Happiness radiated from him.”

In 2020, Alexander published a book called “Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung,” detailing his life. The title was inspired by a promise from his nurse when he was a child, that he would receive a dog if he could breathe independently for three minutes.

“It took around two to three years before he was capable of remaining outside for three minutes, then five minutes, and eventually the whole day,” stated Cox. In fact, Alexander did receive that puppy.

According to Spinks, Alexander was a motivated individual who had a strong belief in God. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Texas in 1978 and a law degree from the same university in 1984. Spinks and Alexander became friends in 2000 when Cox was hired as his driver and assistant.

He promised to transport Alexander to the courthouse and assist him during his court proceedings in a wheelchair. He mentioned that Alexander could be out of the iron lung for approximately four to six hours, but would need to return to it while at his office or home.

Although Spinks and Alexander stayed friends, Spinks’ employment with him only lasted a year. He also assisted with maintaining and fixing Alexander’s iron lungs, as one of his many friends.

Spinks recalled a few instances where his lung almost broke, and he had to quickly attend to it with repairs.

Cox stated that he and his brother once purchased an iron lung on eBay and drove to Chicago to retrieve it. They then returned to Dallas and renovated the device.

Cox explained that the production of these items has ceased and the necessary parts are no longer available. As a result, obtaining a collar for them is no longer possible.

In the past, polio was a highly dreaded illness in the country, resulting in numerous cases of paralysis each year. This disease primarily impacts children.

Vaccines became available starting in 1955. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a national vaccination campaign cut the annual number of U.S. cases to less than 100 in the 1960s and fewer than 10 in the 1970s. In 1979, polio was declared eliminated in the U.S., meaning it was no longer routinely spread.

According to Spinks, Alexander enjoyed being interviewed and was driven by a strong desire to demonstrate that individuals with disabilities have a rightful place in society.

In 2022, Chris Ulmer, the creator of Special Books By Special Kids, an online platform for disabled individuals to share their experiences, conducted an interview with Alexander.

Ulmer said that Paul had a passion for motivating others and making them believe in their own abilities to achieve greatness.

He commented, “I couldn’t help but catch onto his infectious and lively spirit.”

Throughout the years, individuals from all over the world have sought out Alexander to listen to his inspiring tale.

Cox expressed that with determination, he could achieve it.