A polio survivor who was popularly known as the “iron lung man” has passed away at the age of 78, as confirmed by his family and a fundraising webpage.

At the young age of six, Paul Alexander, a resident of Dallas, Texas, was diagnosed with polio. The disease left him immobilized and dependent on a mechanical ventilator for a majority of his day.

Although he was often restricted to his cylindrical submarine, he excelled academically, obtained a degree in law, practiced in the legal field, and authored a book.

“I regretfully share that my brother passed away last night,” wrote Philip Alexander in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning. “It was a privilege to have been a part of such a well-respected person’s life.”

On Tuesday, Christopher Ulmer, a supporter of individuals with disabilities who organized a fundraiser for Alexander, also reported his death in an update on their GoFundMe page.

“According to Ulmer, Paul’s story had a significant impact worldwide and served as a positive influence on many people. Paul was an exceptional role model who will be remembered for years to come.”

Earlier, a recent post on Alexander’s verified TikTok profile mentioned that he was quickly taken to the emergency department due to his infection with Covid-19.

Iron lungs are sealed chambers fitted with pumps. Raising and lowering the pressure inside the chamber expands and contracts the patient’s lungs.

During the 1920s, they were created but became less popular once Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine was developed and became easily accessible in 1955, ultimately leading to the eradication of the debilitating paralytic disease from our history.

Alexander was the recognized holder of the official Guinness World Record for the longest period of time spent in a lung.

As stated on his Guinness record page, he was able to temporarily disconnect from the device once he mastered the technique of “frog breathing” through the assistance of a physical therapist.

He utilized his throat muscles to push air into his lungs, taking in small amounts of air at a time. Gradually, he would only go back to sleeping in his iron lung at night.

In his role as a practicing attorney, he utilized a specialized wheelchair to defend clients in the courtroom while maintaining his upright position despite being paralyzed.

Martha Lillard, 75 years old from Shawnee, Oklahoma, is said to be the only living individual using an iron lung.