Medical Figure. Contracting polio at six, he spent his life confined to an iron lung, only able to move his head, neck, and mouth. Despite this, he defied expectations, becoming one of Dallas's first homeschooled students and graduating second in his class without physically attending classes. His academic journey continued at Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his bachelor's and Juris Doctor degrees, respectively. He worked as an instructor of legal terminology and later represented clients in court, his body upright in a modified wheelchair. He earned recognition from Guinness World Records for the longest time spent living in an iron lung. He was a pioneer in the disability rights movement, advocating for accessibility and inclusivity. He self-published a memoir, "Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung," with the help of a friend, shedding light on his journey. He died in March 2024, after being hospitalized for COVID-19 in February, the second-to-last person using an iron lung.
Medical Figure. Contracting polio at six, he spent his life confined to an iron lung, only able to move his head, neck, and mouth. Despite this, he defied expectations, becoming one of Dallas's first homeschooled students and graduating second in his class without physically attending classes. His academic journey continued at Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his bachelor's and Juris Doctor degrees, respectively. He worked as an instructor of legal terminology and later represented clients in court, his body upright in a modified wheelchair. He earned recognition from Guinness World Records for the longest time spent living in an iron lung. He was a pioneer in the disability rights movement, advocating for accessibility and inclusivity. He self-published a memoir, "Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung," with the help of a friend, shedding light on his journey. He died in March 2024, after being hospitalized for COVID-19 in February, the second-to-last person using an iron lung.
Bio by: Colton Goodenow
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