Paul Alexander, who spent more than 70 years living in an iron lung after surviving polio as a child, has passed away.
Alexander died in Texas on Monday. His death was announced on a GoFundMe that has raised money for his treatment.
"Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered," organizer Christopher Ulmer wrote.
He contracted Polio at the age of six and needed an iron lung to breathe.
Despite being in the iron lung, Alexander graduated from college, became a lawyer, and was a published author.
For more than five years, he used an improvised stick in his mouth to type every word of his memoir, "Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung."
The book was described as his story of courage against all odds, told straight from his heart.
A few years later, his family says Paul was taken advantage of by people who were supposed to care for his best interests and left him little money to survive.
People donated nearly $150,000 to help Paul when his story became known.
His brother Philip showed gratitude for people who had donated saying it allowed Paul to live his last few years stress-free.
He released a message stating, "It is absolutely incredible to read all the comments and know that so many people were inspired by Paul. I am just so grateful."
"Paul, you will be missed but always remembered. Thanks for sharing your story with us," Ulmer said.
