"Polio Survivor Paul Alexander, Who Lived in Iron Lung for 70 Years, Dies at 78"

Paul Alexander, a polio survivor who lived in an iron lung for over 70 years, has passed away at the age of 78. Paralyzed from the neck down after contracting polio at the age of 6, Alexander became a lawyer, author, and an inspiration to many. His death was announced by a disability-rights advocate who had interviewed him. Polio, a highly infectious viral disease, mainly affects children under 5 and can lead to paralysis. With the introduction of the polio vaccine in the 1950s, efforts to eradicate the disease have been successful, leading to a drastic reduction in cases. Iron lungs, once used to aid polio patients' breathing, have largely been replaced by modern ventilators.