Preface
In ancient Rome, there was a horrific punishment known as "bath barrel punishment", which meant that a person was sealed in a bath barrel with only the head exposed.
What is even more horrific is that the executioner will smear milk and honey in the bath tub to attract flies and mosquitoes, so that the prisoner cannot clean up the maggots and feces produced by himself. After a long period of confinement and a harsh environment, the offender will eventually die gradually.
However, the protagonist we are going to talk about today has lived voluntarily in a closed iron bucket for 71 years!
Who is this mysterious protagonist, why did he choose such a hard lifestyle, and what kind of miracle is hidden in this story?
1952, an unfortunate accident after the rain
One afternoon in 1952, the sky in New Jersey was overcast, signaling a heavy rain. Like all 6-year-olds, Paul couldn't wait to stand in front of the window, waiting for the fresh scent of the raindrops.
"Paul, what are you looking at?" The brother's voice came from behind, and Paul said happily, "It's raining, shall we go outside and play?" With permission, Paul cheerfully picked up his brother and ran outside the house, letting the rain wet his whole body, and the two children chased after me on the grass.
And this seemingly ordinary afternoon rain became a turning point in Paul's life. When Paul returned home, he soon developed a high fever, and at first his parents did not pay much attention to it, except that their son was sick with a cold in the rain. But when his condition got worse, Paul was rushed to the hospital.
At first glance, the doctors determined that Paul was infected with the fashionable polio, a terrible virus that attacked the bone marrow and nervous system, and soon paralyzed the still developing Paul, and severely deteriorated his respiratory function. In order to save his life, the doctors decided to fit Paul with a mechanical device called an "iron lung."
Imprisoned by the "iron lung", the unspeakable pain
The so-called "iron lung" is a kind of breathing aid that uses air pressure to drive air into the lungs. It was shaped like a tube, and Paul was lying in it, and the rest of his head was tightly sealed. The machine runs 24 hours a day to ensure that Paul's lungs are working properly.
But it also meant that 6-year-old Paul had to spend the rest of his life in this airtight tin bucket. His body shrank over time, his limbs were completely paralyzed, and he could only communicate with the outside world through facial expressions.
To make matters worse, Paul was unable to control his physical needs, and when the excrement surrounded him, Paul felt more ashamed than ever before, but he could not confide in him.
In addition, Paul was constantly at risk of a power outage. Once the power supply is interrupted, the "iron lung" will stop working, and the nurses can only rely on human power, but it is far from achieving the normal working effect. At this point, Paul only felt that he was about to suffocate, but he could do nothing but wait for the unforeseen fate.
Language bridge, the last warmth
In order to treat patients like Paul, the government set up special sanatoriums. Paul was sent here to see more like-minded companions. To help them communicate, a "speakerphone" is installed at each child's throat.
This rudimentary voice device became the only way for them to express themselves. Whenever the doctor visits, the children race against the clock to say what is on their minds, even if it is just a monotonous voice, to prove that they are still alive.
The rest of the time, they can only interact through their distorted facial muscles. Paul understood his friend's hardship, so he accepted the strange expression.
However, the fragility of life dooms them to be unable to stay with them for a long time. These friendships born of illness are mostly short-lived. Paul watched his playmates leave him, but his heart was always shrouded in silence and loneliness.
The hope of breathing, the dream of going to school
As he grew older, Paul longed to get out of the hospital room and live a normal life. He began to teach himself to read, holding a pencil in his teeth and struggling to draw letters in the air. His parents ran for him, hoping to find a school for Paul that would take him in.
Finally, a doctor came with good news. He invented a "frog breathing method" that trained Paul to squeeze air with his tongue and breathe on his own.
After repeated exercise, Paul was able to temporarily get rid of the "iron lung", but he still had to return for oxygen every once in a while. This is enough for him to enter the campus and complete the school Xi life of a semi-normal person.
The moment Paul stepped through the gates, Paul was thrilled. But soon, a hint of loss came to his mind. The other children looked at him curiously and fearfully, and some joked about him. Paul understood that they could not truly understand themselves as they had been with the sick in the past.
Iron will, the dream of a lawyer
Throughout his 71-year life, Paul was accompanied by the "iron lung." After years of facing life and death, he learned to face life with an iron will. Paul devoted himself to the law and eventually obtained his lawyer's license and opened his own practice. Every customer who pushes through the door will be impressed by his extraordinary experience.
By the time Paul became the last of the "Iron Lung," the pain had faded. In its place is recognition and admiration from this world. Paul was not cynical because of his illness. On the contrary, his rich life experience has made him grow into a warm and wise soul.
Childhood, gone forever
When he was 6 years old, did Paul also fantasize about himself shuttling through the rain? Will he be more like an ordinary child, who will play happily with his friends and be criticized by his teacher for his wet clothes?
However, history is merciless, allowing Paul to pass by with a happy childhood. When he earns the respect of others on his own, will there be a dull pain in his heart - he has done much more than just success.
The milestones of his life were dominated by the "iron lung", which robbed him of his lively posture, robbed him of his fluent language, and robbed him of the joy of playing with his partners...... But the tenacity of his will allowed Paul to shine in the midst of suffering.
When we point to this man and praise him for his iron-like perseverance, have we ever thought that he is also an ordinary person, an ordinary person who has countless beautiful aspirations. His courage and perseverance are perhaps more astonishing than anyone else's.