by scop on 3/13/24, 3:11 PM
> Advances in medicine made iron lungs obsolete by the 1960s, replaced by ventilators. But Alexander kept living in the cylinder because, he said, he was used to it.
As somebody with a medical condition since birth, this line really hit home. I'm not speaking for Mr. Alexander, but for myself "used to it" is such a great way of putting the odd experience of living with frequent and cumbersome medical intervention.
On the one hand you have no choice so it is quite easy. You just do it. On the other hand there are often periods here and there through your life where you wrestle with the treatment, complain about it, explore other options, etc. But then a new option does come around every so often and, well, some times you stick with what you know even though there are "better" options.
"used to it" is such a disarmingly accurate way of putting it. It is simultaneously the most difficult and easy thing to do.
Requiem aeternum Paul Alexander.
by bonaldi on 3/13/24, 3:12 PM
Curious that the story doesn't mention he died of Covid – an infection that, you'd expect someone with his condition to be extremely keen to avoid, and who should have been able to, given reasonable precautions from his visitors.
by runjake on 3/13/24, 5:18 PM
Paul regularly livestreamed on TikTok -- almost daily.
When I first saw him, I was rather horrified by his predicament. But then I saw that Paul was always upbeat and positive and accomplished. He seemed to live his life to his maximum. And he accomplished more than the average abled person.
I hadn't seen him the past couple weeks (though my TikTok usage is more cautious morbid curiosity and at an arm's length). I guess this explains it.
by UniverseHacker on 3/13/24, 3:52 PM
I've read his autobiography... I highly recommend it, it is a mind blowing story. Amazing that someone with such a severe disability was able to live such a full life with romance and adventure that most able bodied people would be jealous of.
His story and positive attitude has had a lasting impact on me in making me appreciate and enjoy life more- and to really work to make the best out of whatever is thrown at me.
by whythre on 3/13/24, 2:46 PM
Remarkable man! Good on him for achieving all that. The part where he was able to learn how to breathe and leave the iron lung for short periods of time is particularly interesting. I wonder what he did on those outings…
by nadermx on 3/13/24, 3:39 PM
"That year, he published a memoir which reportedly took him eight years to write using a plastic stick to type on a keyboard and dictating to a friend."
Talk about determination
by speedylight on 3/13/24, 4:32 PM
This man demonstrated such an outstanding will to live and over come his disability. A part of me hopes he has moved on to a better life. Rest in peace, Paul.
by freitzkriesler2 on 3/13/24, 3:27 PM
Very sad. I hope him and his family will find peace. His story was interesting and the team that helped him refurbish his iron lung were angels in disguise.
by keepamovin on 3/13/24, 4:07 PM
What a legend. You poor man. Thank you for showing us what's possible. Thank you for never giving up on life. He always had a smile.
by Strom on 3/13/24, 10:03 PM
by yiiyiyiyi on 3/13/24, 7:53 PM
I remember reading this story a few years ago and realizing that the engineer who maintained it, a guy named Brady, was the same guy who ran my school FIRST robotics team back in 1998-2000. What a guy.
by toomuchtodo on 3/18/24, 8:16 PM
by bouncycastle on 3/14/24, 1:14 AM
The first time I've learned of an iron lung was from The Big Lebowski, "Is this your homework Larry" scene. Larry's father was in the iron lung, in the living room. I was very curious about the machine, so I've looked it up. Quite an incredible machine, and led me into a deep Wikipedia rabbit hole.
by reddickulous on 3/13/24, 4:54 PM
I didn't even know he was sick.
by Uptrenda on 3/13/24, 8:52 PM
He managed to become a lawyer and live a productive life in that thing. Crazy inspiring story.
by anon115 on 3/13/24, 8:17 PM
<333333333333333333333333333333 you can rest now my sweet prince
by daft_pink on 3/13/24, 5:58 PM
They should post a link to the book. I want to read it now.
by begueradj on 3/13/24, 5:46 PM
He was too brave.