Paul Alexander, one of two people in the U.S. still relying on an iron lung to survive, died on March 11, 2024 at the age of 78. Paul contracted polio in 1952 at six years old, and has had to rely on an iron lung — a big metal ventilator that encases the body from the neck to toes — since then. We spoke to Paul a few years ago about his life and the lessons he’s learned from living under uncommon circumstances. So, this week on the podcast, we’re sharing some of that conversation, as well as revisiting the story of the now the only person in the U.S. still relying on an iron lung to survive: Martha Lillard.
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This story has support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and listeners like you. Music from Blue Dot Sessions, Epidemic Sounds and the song “Iron Lung” by Taylor Phelan and the Canes. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook @radiodiaries, and visit us at radiodiaries.org.
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The Dropped Wrench
Prisoners of War
The Working Tapes of Studs Terkel
Stories from a Vanishing New York
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The Square Deal
Amanda's Diary: Revisited
Last Witness: Surviving the Tulsa Race Riot
Juan's Diaries: Undocumented, Then and Now
The Bonus Army
The Working Tapes
The Story of Jane
The Ski Troops of WWII
When Nazis Took Manhattan
A Voicemail Valentine
The Border Wall
Thembi's Diary
Bonus Episode: Hear the World Differently
A Guitar, A Cello, and the Day that Changed Music
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