Asthma attacks can be dangerous, and in some cases, life-threatening.
The tragic loss of 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons serves as a painful reminder of this.
Ryan was an active boy who enjoyed riding motorbikes and hiking. But one day in 2012, a rule at his school prevented him from getting the help he needed.
On October 9, Ryan went to school as usual. He had no idea it would be his last day.
During a soccer game, Ryan suffered an asthma attack. He needed his inhaler to help him breathe, but it was locked in the school office.
His school had a policy that required inhalers to be kept away from students. Ryan had tried to bring extras, but they were often taken from him.
A group of friends tried to carry him to the office to get his inhaler, but they didn’t make it in time. Ryan collapsed and could not be revived.
The incident happened at Elgin Country School in Ontario, Canada, and it left many people shocked.
An investigation later revealed that Ryan’s mother, Sandra Gibbons, had repeatedly asked the school to let him carry his inhaler. Even a doctor’s note wasn’t enough to change their rule.
Sandra said Ryan would often bring an extra inhaler just in case, but the school would confiscate it. She would then get a call telling her to pick it up.
“I didn’t understand why,” she told CBC. “I didn’t realize the policy required inhalers to be locked away.”
Ryan’s death led his mother to fight for change. She didn’t want another child to go through the same experience.
She started a petition, pushing for schools to allow students to keep their inhalers. Her efforts helped pass Ryan’s Law, or Bill 135.
The law now ensures that children with asthma can carry their inhalers at school with a doctor’s note.
Sandra felt emotional but relieved when the law was passed. The Asthma Society also supported it, saying access to medication in schools is critical.
While asthma deaths have decreased, many are still preventable. Ryan’s story led to an important change that may help save lives.