Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung

Paul R. Alexander

Apr 2020 · FriesenPress

About this ebook

Contrary to popular belief Polio is not extinct. This is the true story of an indomitable spirit afflicted with unimaginable physical and psychological challenges. Paul Alexander’s life is a saga that started in 1946 and has been profoundly shaped by the Polio epidemic of the early 1950’s. Survivors of the 1950’s Polio Epidemic in America are rare. Polio victims, like Paul Alexander, who require the assistance of an “Iron Lung” respirator for their life’s breath are even rarer. Paul Alexander has crafted his life against all odds and has a courageous and compelling story to share with us all.
Victims of Polio, their families, friends and communities are struggling to cope with this obscure but still dangerous infectious disease. This book is a testimony to the strength of the human spirit and an affirmation of the need to continue efforts to eradicate the pestilence of Polio from the planet.

Ratings and reviews

Very inspiring, but sometimes a bit hard to understand due to the typical American abreviations and references. I would have rated this 5 stars if this wasn't the case. Nevertheless I want to give big thanks to Paul for sharing his amazing life story.

1952 was the peak of America’s 4-decade polio epidemic. No one knew its cause. Some said it came from imported bananas, others said stray cats. There was no cure or vaccine. That year Paul Anderson, age 5, got it. He woke in a Dallas hospital in an iron lung, staying there 18 months, when his family was allowed to take him and his iron lung home. He was paralyzed below the neck and could not breathe, though he still felt pain. He was homeschooled and learned to “frog breathe” (challenged to do it for 3 minutes to get a dog) to spend some time outside the iron lung. He graduated from university and became a lawyer. This is his story with its ups and downs. It needs a lot of editing work and could be better organized. There is a very natural hint of bitterness at times and the names of those who hurt him should have been omitted or changed, but it is an amazing story. Ironically, 1952 is also the year that Salk’s vaccine entered testing, just a little too late for Paul. Worth reading.

First book I've read in aaaages! RIP Paul, such an inspiring story, I will remember always! I hope you are dancing and playing and running in heaven. 💖🕊

About the author

Paul Alexander was a normal, vibrant and active child until he was paralyzed by polio in Dallas, Texas at 6 years of age. Five days after contracting the disease he was unable to voluntarily move, or even breath, he has miraculously survived, established a law practice and is living a full life. He has lived with critical assistance of an “iron lung” for over 67 years.
With profound love and constant encouragement from his supportive family and a cast of dedicated teachers, care givers, physicians, physical therapists and a host of friends he has crafted a life that defies the severity of his fight with polio.
This book is a product of a lifetime. For over five years he has used an improvised stick in his mouth to type every word in this manuscript. This book is his story of courage against all odds told straight from his heart.