‘Polio Paul,' who spent most of the past 70 years in an iron lung, dies at 78

Paul Alexander, a man who lived most of his life in an iron lung, passed away at the age of 78. The news of his death was announced on a fundraising page set up to assist with his housing and healthcare expenses. Paul had contracted polio at the age of 6 during the 1952 epidemic, which left him paralyzed and reliant on an iron lung to breathe. Despite his condition, he pursued an education, became a lawyer, and authored an autobiography. Paul was also an advocate for polio vaccination. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary life.