Asthma attacks can be dangerous and even life-threatening. The sudden death of 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons is a sad reminder of this risk. Ryan was an active boy who loved motorbikes and the outdoors. But in 2012, a school rule cost him his life.
On October 9, 2012, Ryan went to school as usual. But that day, he never made it back home. While playing soccer, Ryan had an asthma attack and needed his inhaler. But the school kept his inhaler locked in the office. His friends tried to carry him to the office, but they couldn’t get there in time. Ryan passed out and never woke up.
The tragedy happened at Elgin County School in Ontario, Canada. After the incident, it was revealed that the school had taken away Ryan’s extra inhalers multiple times. Ryan’s mother, Sandra Gibbons, had tried to get the school to allow him to keep his inhaler, even providing a doctor’s note. Despite this, the school continued to confiscate his inhalers. Ryan had even started bringing extra inhalers to school, knowing how important they were. But the school kept taking them away.
Sandra got multiple calls from the school telling her to pick up the inhalers. “I didn’t understand why,” she said. “I didn’t realize the policy required medication to be in the office.” After Ryan’s death, Sandra refused to stay silent. She started a petition to change asthma policies in schools and worked with politicians to pass a new law.
Her efforts led to Ryan’s Law (Bill 135). The law allows students to carry their inhalers if they have a doctor’s note. “I’m emotional but happy it’s being implemented,” Sandra said. The Asthma Society supported the law, with Dr. Rob Oliphant stating that kids must have quick access to their inhalers at school.
In the U.S., all states allow students to carry inhalers, but some schools still ban them. Asthma is still a leading cause of death, and many of these deaths can be prevented. Ryan’s story led to a law that protects children with asthma.