A man who resided in an iron lung for 70 years has died at the age of 78.
Paul Alexander, widely known as Polio Paul, contracted polio in 1952 when he was only six years old.
He was taken to the hospital in Texas after showing symptoms, and woke up inside the mechanical lung where he would spend his entire life.
An update on his GoFundMe says: 'Paul Alexander, “The Man in the Iron Lung”, passed away yesterday.
‘After surviving polio as a child, he lived over 70 years inside of an iron lung.
‘During this time Paul went to college, became a lawyer, and a published author.
‘His story traveled far and wide, positively impacting people around the world.
‘Paul was an amazing role model that will continue to be remembered.
‘Paul, you will be missed but always remembered.’
A vaccine was invented in 1955, but this was too late for Paul who left unable to move from the neck down.
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