London24NEWS

Bloke who lived inside iron lung for 65 years forbidden from marrying fiancee

NEWS

A man who has lived inside an iron lung for the majority of his life has revealed he was forbidden from marrying the love of his life.

American Paul Alexander contracted polio in 1952, aged six, which destroyed his muscle control and left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe independently.

Despite being rushed to hospital for an emergency tracheotomy at the time, the now 77-year-old, was left caged inside an iron lung which became his diaphragm, inflating his lungs in and out, ever since.

READ MORE: Girl, 18, bombarded by creepy men asking if she’s ‘tight’ after ‘rare’ vaginal diagnosis

Although this catastrophic life changing illness didn’t stop Paul from graduating from law school and becoming an attorney, it has thwarted his romantic life, Lad Bible reports.



Paul’s brother likens Paul’s relationship with his long-term caregiver Kathy to a marriage

While studying at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Paul met a woman called Claire and the couple became romantically involved, with the pair eventually getting engaged.

Claire’s mum, however, didn’t approve of the relationship and on one occasion when Paul tried to call Claire, her mum answered the phone, forbade the marriage and Paul from speaking to his fiancée ever again.



Despite living most of his life inside an iron lung, Paul was a practicing attorney for many years

He subsequently transferred his studies to the University of Texas at Austin.

Recalling how he felt to The Guardian, Paul said: “Took years to heal from that.”

Although Paul, who can write by tapping a pen, attached to a plastic stick and held in his mouth, on a keyboard, did not find his happily ever after with Claire, he has found long term companionship with his caregiver Kathy, who has been caring for Paul since he graduated law school and lives in the same apartment building has him.

To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.



Paul contracted polio as a child, which left him unable to breathe independently

While the pair have never been romantically linked, Paul’s brother Phil compares their relationship to a marriage.

Phil said: “Paul has always been aggressive about things that he wants and needs around other people

“He’s pretty demanding. But Kathy is more demanding than he is. They’ve had their moments, but they always work it out.”

READ MORE:

You might also like More from author