The Last U.S. Man Living In an Iron Lung Has Died

Last man in the United States, living in an iron lung, has passed away.

According to Parade, news of 78-year-old Paul Alexander’s passing was confirmed via a GoFundMe account earlier this week. Alexander contracted polio when he was just 6 years old in 1956.

@ironlungman Replying to @ⁱˢᵃ ˡᵉᵗ ᵐᵉ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵘⁿᵏˢ Thank you for all of your questions! Paul understands that even questions about the most basic functions of his life are valuable! #conversationswithpaul #ironlung #poliopaul #PaulAlexander #QandA ♬ original sound – Paul “Polio Paul” Alexander

Alexander was opened about his life in an iron lung on social media. Known as Paul “Polio Paul” Alexander on TikTok, he shared several videos with his over 330,000 followers.

News that Paul wasn’t well surfaced back in February when his social media assistant revealed that he was rushed to the ER after he tested positive for COVID-19.

@ironlungman Please keep Paul in your thoughts and prayers! ❤️????#conversationswithpaul #ironlung #poliopaul #PaulAlexander ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design

Despite living in an iron lung for more than seven decades, Paul lived quite the life. As Parade reports and he shared on TikTok, Paul was able to practice law, receiving his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986.

@ironlungman Replying to @Josie While everyone has a unique law school experience, Paul attended UT Law School in a very interesting way… #conversationswithpaul #ironlung #poliopaul #PaulAlexander #QandA ♬ original sound – Paul “Polio Paul” Alexander

Paul said it was through concentration that he was able to overcome the obvious obstacles he faced when attending law school. So many people called his story “inspiring.

As his GoFundMe campaign revealed, after graduating and passing the bar, Paul started a successful practice. However, when he was unable to leave the iron lung and go to work, it reportedly left Paul “vulnerable to theft by those he trusted.”

Paul “was taken advantage of by people who were supposed to care for his best interests. This theft, combined with the high cost of healthcare, has left Paul with little money to survive,” the GoFundMe continued.

The lack of funds left him struggling “to maintain his iron lung, afford healthcare, and find housing that accommodates his needs. Paul lives in a small one-room apartment that does not have a window.”

After revealing news of his passing, the GoFundMe’s organizer, Christopher Ulmer thanked Paul for sharing his story with the world. “You will be missed but always remembered.”

Paul’s brother also shared a statement on GoFundMe, writing, “I am so gratitude 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. I am just so grateful.”