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Nobody knew that the nondescript man in the white suit was a hero.

Paul Alexander was born in 1912 in Groningen, Netherlands. At the age of six, he contracted polio, which left him with a lifelong limp. Despite his disability, Paul was a determined and active child. He loved to play soccer and swim, and he was always eager to help others.

In 1936, Paul was asked by a friend to help with a polio outbreak in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Paul agreed without hesitation. He traveled to Indonesia and began working with the local health authorities to contain the outbreak.

Paul worked tirelessly for months, going from village to village to vaccinate children against polio. He often had to travel long distances on foot or by bicycle, and he often worked in difficult conditions. But he never gave up.

Thanks to Paul's efforts, the polio outbreak was eventually brought under control. He returned to the Netherlands a hero, but he never spoke about his experiences. He simply went back to his life, working as a salesman and raising a family.

In 2001, a Dutch journalist named Elsbeth Etty discovered Paul's story. She tracked him down and interviewed him for a book she was writing about Dutch heroes. Paul was reluctant to talk about his experiences at first, but he eventually agreed to tell his story.

Elsbeth's book was published in 2002, and it was a huge success. Paul Alexander became known as "Polio Paul," and he was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau, the highest civilian honor in the Netherlands.

Paul Alexander died in 2003 at the age of 91. He was a humble man who never sought recognition for his heroism. But his story is a reminder that even the smallest person can make a big difference in the world.