Is Paul Richard Alexander Still Alive? Where is Paul Alexander Now?
by A Maria
Updated Jun 27, 2023
Who is Paul Richard Alexander?
Paul Richard Alexander is an American Lawyer from Dallas and a Paralytic polio survivor. He is known as one of the few remaining individuals who still relies on an iron lung, having contracted polio in 1952 when he was just six years old. Alexander's life took an unexpected turn when he was struck by polio, leaving him permanently paralyzed. His ability to move is limited to his head, neck, and mouth, while the rest of his body remains immobile.
Despite the challenges he faces, Alexander perseveres, living a remarkable life with remarkable strength. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of diseases like polio and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Is Paul Richard Alexander Still Alive?
Paul Richard Alexander is still alive, at the age of six, Paul Richard Alexander's life took an unforeseen turn when he was struck by poliovirus, a disease that left him disabled. Born on January 10, 1946, in Dallas, he contracted the illness before the American form of the polio vaccine was developed. As a result, Paul was left almost entirely paralyzed, necessitating the use of an "iron lung" machine for his respiratory needs.
Remarkably, for the past 70 years, he has spent only a few fleeting moments outside of this life-sustaining apparatus. Despite the challenges he faced, Paul's indomitable spirit propelled him to achieve remarkable feats. Undeterred by his physical limitations, he embarked on an extraordinary journey. With unwavering determination, he pursued his education and became a shining example of resilience and perseverance.
Paul completed high school and went on to attend college, defying societal expectations and surpassing perceived limitations. His unwavering drive and intellect led him to a career in law. Paul Richard Alexander not only became a practicing lawyer but also appeared in court hearings, advocating for justice and contributing his legal expertise to the pursuit of truth. Beyond his legal accomplishments, he also ventured into the realm of writing, sharing his experiences and insights through his authored works.
Paul's life serves as an inspiration and a beacon of hope for individuals with disabilities who aspire to succeed despite the obstacles they face. His journey is a testament to the power of determination and the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity. Through his accomplishments, Paul Richard Alexander has demonstrated that disabilities need not define one's potential or limit their dreams.
Where is Paul Alexander Now?
Paul was a lawyer in Dallas and Fort Worth. In a serene Dallas suburb, on a fateful day in July, a young boy named Paul Alexander was engrossed in the joyous abandon of playing outside amidst the refreshing summer rain. Unbeknownst to him, a shadow of illness loomed, manifesting as a throbbing neck and a pounding headache. Disregarding the discomfort, he nonchalantly left his muddy shoes behind, venturing barefoot into the welcoming confines of his family's kitchen.
The screen door, heavy with anticipation, swung shut with a resounding slam. His fevered countenance caught his mother's attention, prompting an audible gasp of concern. Urgently, she instructed him to retrieve his abandoned footwear before compelling him to retreat to the solace of his bed. The first day passed in the embrace of his parents' bed, a sanctuary where Paul sought solace amid the confines of Roy Rogers coloring books.
Yet, even as his fever soared to distressing heights and a symphony of aches reverberated through his young limbs, the family doctor counseled against seeking medical care at the hospital. Polio had cast its insidious spell upon him, but the overcrowded wards would only hamper his chances of recovery, the doctor reasoned. Home, it was believed, offered a more favorable environment for his healing journey to unfold.
In those uncertain moments, Paul Alexander's resilience began to take shape. From the cocoon of his home, he embarked on a battle against a formidable adversary, armed with unwavering determination and the love and support of his family. It was within the familiar walls that he would confront the challenges of polio, its unwelcome intrusion leaving an indelible mark on his life.
Little did young Paul know that this harrowing experience would shape his character and ignite an unwavering spirit within him. The echoes of that fateful day would resonate throughout his journey, instilling within him an unyielding determination to overcome adversity and carve his own path. Though Paul's battle with polio would forever alter his physical abilities, it would not diminish his thirst for knowledge, his hunger for accomplishment, or his unwavering will to persevere.
It would become the catalyst for a remarkable journey, one that would see him triumph against the odds and emerge as a beacon of inspiration for others facing their own tribulations. The tale of Paul Alexander serves as a testament to the power of the human spirit, an enduring reminder that resilience knows no boundaries. From the confines of his childhood home to the boundless expanse of possibility, Paul's story exemplifies the strength and fortitude that can be summoned in the face of adversity.
Why is Paul Alexander Still in an Iron Lung?
Paul Alexander contracted polio which is why he is still in an Iron Lung. In fact, Paul Alexander is one of the only patients who are still in an iron lung. Find out here how he actually contracted polio.
In a tranquil Dallas suburb, on a day in July, a six-year-old boy named Paul Alexander frolicked in the refreshing embrace of summer rain. However, beneath the surface of his playfulness, an unseen malaise took hold. His neck throbbed with discomfort, and his head pulsed with an unrelenting ache.
As his feverish countenance caught his mother's alarmed gaze, a gasp of concern escaped her lips. Urgently, she insisted he retrieves his abandoned shoes before issuing a directive to retire to bed. And so, Paul spent the initial day nestled in the comforting embrace of his parent's bed. However, as his fever continued to climb and waves of agony coursed through his fragile limbs, the family doctor advised against hospitalization.
Though it was evident that polio had claimed his young body, the doctor reasoned that the overwhelming number of patients in hospitals left Paul with a better chance of recovery at home. In the days that followed, Paul's condition deteriorated further. Five days after his barefoot entrance into the kitchen, he found himself unable to grasp a crayon, articulate words, swallow, or even cough. Filled with urgency, his parents whisked him away to Parkland hospital.
Yet, even within its walls, where well-trained staff and a dedicated polio ward stood ready, the hospital was inundated with a deluge of patients. Sick children filled every corner, overwhelming the capacity to provide treatment for all. In the arms of his mother, Paul waited, his breaths becoming increasingly labored. It was then that a glimmer of hope emerged. Another doctor, guided by an instinct for action, decided to reexamine the ailing boy.
Swiftly, he scooped Paul up and rushed him to the operating theater. There, an emergency tracheotomy was performed, clearing the congestion from his lungs that his paralyzed body could no longer expel. Three days later, Paul awoke to a reality starkly different from the one he had known. His body lay ensconced within a wheezing and sighing contraption. Immobilized, he could neither move nor speak.
The fogged windows of the steam tent, a vinyl hood enveloping his head, obscured his surroundings. Yet, as the veil was lifted, a poignant scene unfolded before his eyes. Heads of other children, encased in metal canisters, dotted the landscape. Nurses, dressed in crisp white uniforms and caps, floated gracefully among them. "Rows and rows of iron lungs. Full of children," he recounted years later.
In 1954, when Paul was eight years old, a physical therapist from the March of Dimes, a US charity committed to eradicating polio, reached out to his mother. Though Paul harbored a deep-rooted fear of doctors and nurses after his experiences in the polio ward, his mother reassured him. And so, Mrs. Sullivan, the therapist, began visiting twice a week.
During their sessions, Paul shared the ordeals of attempting to breathe without the aid of the iron lung, causing him to turn blue and lose consciousness. However, he also revealed a technique he had discovered—one he dubbed "frog-breathing." By trapping air in his mouth and throat cavity, he could utilize a specific tongue and throat muscle movement to guide the air past his vocal cords and into his lungs, akin to saying "ahh" for the doctor.
Sullivan struck a deal with her determined patient: if he could frog-breathe unaided for three minutes, she would reward him with a puppy. It took Paul a year of persistent effort, but he eventually achieved his goal and received his beloved companion, Ginger. With continued practice, his mastery of the technique improved, granting him the ability to temporarily abandon the iron lung for brief moments—first on the porch, then venturing into the yard.
Though Paul still relied on the iron lung for nightly respite, as he could not breathe independently while asleep, his ambitions extended far beyond the confines of his immediate surroundings. At the age of 21, he became the first person to graduate from a Dallas high school without physically attending a single class. His tenacity led him to gain admission to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, overcoming numerous rejections from the university administration.
Subsequently, he pursued a law degree at the University of Texas at Austin. For decades, Paul thrived as a lawyer in Dallas and Fort Worth, donning a three-piece suit and utilizing a modified wheelchair to maintain an upright posture despite his paralysis. At a time when the presence of disabled individuals in public spaces was far less common—before the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990—Paul Alexander stood as a visible testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Throughout his life, he boarded planes, visited strip clubs, witnessed the vastness of the ocean, sought solace in prayer, fell in love, lived independently, and championed disability rights through a sit-in. His persona exudes charm, affability, talkativeness, a quick wit, and a propensity for both anger and humor. At the age of 74, Paul finds himself once again confined to the iron lung full-time. In the United States, he is now one of only two individuals still reliant on this antiquated device.
The last person to require an iron lung in the UK passed away in December 2017 at the age of 75. Defying all expectations, Paul has defied the odds, surpassing predictions for the lifespan of those dependent on such machines. Yet, as he navigates another deadly epidemic, his resilience faces yet another formidable test.
Is Paul Richard Alexander Still Alive - FAQs
Paul Richard Alexander is an American lawyer from Dallas and a paralytic polio survivor. He is known as one of the few remaining individuals who still relies on an iron lung, having contracted polio in 1952 when he was just six years old.
Yes, Paul Richard Alexander is still alive. Despite being affected by polio at a young age and relying on an iron lung for his respiratory needs, he has defied expectations and continues to live a remarkable life.
Paul Alexander was a lawyer in Dallas and Fort Worth. Currently, at the age of 74, he is confined to the iron lung full-time, as he is one of only two individuals in the United States still dependent on this device.
Paul Alexander contracted polio before the development of the American form of the polio vaccine. As a result, he was left almost entirely paralyzed and has relied on an iron lung for his respiratory support.