Paul Alexander (polio survivor)

Paul Alexander (1946-2024) was an American man who contracted polio at the age of six in 1952, paralyzing him from the neck down. He was reliant on an iron lung for nearly his entire life, for over 70 years, to breathe. Despite his severe physical limitations, Alexander achieved remarkable accomplishments. He learned to "frog breathe" for short periods, allowing him some time away from the machine. He earned a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and became a practicing attorney. He also authored an autobiography, "Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung," written using a pen attached to a stick held in his mouth. Alexander became a symbol of resilience, determination, and the enduring human spirit in the face of extraordinary adversity. He used his platform to advocate for polio vaccination and to inspire others facing disabilities.