Man who lived in iron lung for 70 years until his death answered hugely common question on how he 'went to toilet'

The man who relied upon an iron lung for more than 70 years revealed how he relieved himself while stuck inside of the medical contraption.

Despite being paralysed from the neck down and unable to breathe by himself since the age of six, Paul Alexander wowed the world with his determination and zest for life.

He managed to complete high school without physically attending class, earned two law degrees, passed the bar exam and went on to represent a host of clients in the courtroom.

As well as being a legal whizz, Paul penned a book about his unique life and even became TikTok famous - but of course, it's his toilet trips that people wanted to find out more about.

Before his death in March 2024 at the age of 78, the notorious 'man in the iron lung' answered a host of burning questions which his supporters had for him.

For those who haven't heard of this legend, Paul was a ridiculously-positive bloke despite the cards that life had dealt him.

The author, from Dallas, Texas, contracted polio when he was just six years old and the infection left him with lifelong paralysis which affected his entire body from the neck down.

As well as this, the illness rendered him unable to breathe on his own - hence why he spent 72 years hopping in and out of an iron lung.

The mechanical respirator did the job of his body's breathing apparatus for him, pulling air in and out of his lungs to stimulate breathing

However, he later invented a new 'frog breathing' method, which allowed him to enjoy some of his life outside of the iron lung - although he couldn't be away from it for too long.

Paul Alexander answered questions from his supporters about what life in an iron lung was really like (TikTok/@ironlungman)

YouTuber Mitch Summers conducted a Q&A with Paul - as well as surprising him with $10,000 (£7,700) - in July 2021, about six months after producing a short online documentary on him.

The original video blew up online, resulting in thousands of people sending messages explaining how much Paul's story had 'inspired' them.

So, Mitch went back to film a follow-up clip with the late lawyer to show him all of the kind correspondence people had sent his way.

"I don't know how to handle these kind of comments, but when things are really bad and you're really feeling down that day - that's got to be the best," Paul said after hearing a few compliments.

"If you continue to live, we have to hope and struggle through it and make life better. Don't give up, keep fighting."

Mitch then moved on from the motivational messages and into the Q&A, while telling Paul that 'hundreds of people' had all sent in the same question - asking about how Paul goes to the bathroom.

Understandably, he looked pretty perturbed when the content creator first brought the subject up, as he clarified: "How do I what? Poop?"

"They always get to the basics," he then laughed, before revealing what process he followed to get rid of his waste.

"The same way as in hospitals," Paul explained. "If you're lying in a hospital bed and you need to poop, they will bring you a pan. I have a portable toilet."

He then went on to joke: "I love food - no wonder I've got three pans. I guess I don't know how to stop eating, but I love all kinds of food. Sushi, fried chicken, steamed dumplings... you name it, I love it."

Paul also explained that his caregivers would help keep him clean and well groomed, saying he would be washed 'either in the bathtub or on the bed'.

He also revealed that due to his health condition, he only grew to the size of a 'very young man' and he stood at 5ft tall while weighing around 135lbs.

RIP, Paul.