Staff Reports
Paul Alexander, a polio survivor and author, is a shining example of the power of resilience and determination in the face of incredible challenges. Born in Dallas in 1946, his life took a drastic turn at the age of 6 when he was diagnosed with polio after playing outside in the scorching Texas heat. In those days, a polio diagnosis was like a death sentence, and for young Paul, it meant a life confined to an iron lung.
Now, for those not familiar with the iron lung, it’s a yellow tube-like contraption that helped those with respiratory difficulties stay alive. It may look like something out of a sci-fi movie, but for Paul, it was a lifeline, allowing him to defy the odds and live until the remarkable age of 78. That’s longer than anyone in an iron lung had ever lived before – talk about beating the odds!
"I look at people and I just want to say, 'Why are you here? What is the purpose? There's a purpose in your life. What do you do to make things better?' Because that's the way I think. If I don't have a purpose today, I'll create one." Paul Alexander, (1946-2024) pic.twitter.com/BviFOpg8cp
— Ken Dunek (@kdunek) March 18, 2024
But Paul’s story doesn’t stop there. Despite his physical limitations, he didn’t let his spirit be contained by the iron lung. At the tender age of 8, he defied the odds yet again by learning to breathe without the assistance of the iron lung, all for the promise of a puppy. Talk about determination – this guy has it in spades!
And that’s not all – Paul didn’t just stop at conquering his breathing difficulties. He went on to graduate as one of the top students in his high school class and pursued higher education at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. Now, that’s what I call smashing barriers and reaching for the stars!
But wait, there’s more. In 2020, Paul penned his book “Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung,” chronicling his incredible journey of learning to breathe again and overcoming the odds. And if that isn’t impressive enough, he even became a viral sensation on TikTok, sharing his extraordinary life with hundreds of thousands of viewers. This guy’s got more resilience than a rubber band – he just keeps bouncing back!
So, next time you feel like life’s got you down, just remember Paul Alexander’s story. This guy spent the majority of his life in an iron lung and still found a way to inspire millions. As he once said, “Life is such an extraordinary thing. Just hold on.” If Paul can do it, so can you!
