Ammon News - Paul Alexander, who lived much of his life in an iron lung after contracting polio at the age of six, has died at the age of 78.

The Texas resident was paralysed from the neck down by the disease and went on to become an inspirational figure, graduating from law school, writing a memoir and painting using a brush that he held in his mouth.

In an update on a fundraising page that was set up to raise money for his medical and accommodation bills, organiser Christopher Ulmer announced: “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. In this time, Paul went to college, became a lawyer and a published author. His story travelled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world. Paul was an incredible role model who will continue to be remembered.”

The Guardian