Every Asthma Attack Can Be Fatal: The Tragic Story of Ryan Gibbons
Asthma isn’t just a chronic condition—it’s a potential life-threatening risk. This truth was heartbreakingly illustrated by the untimely death of 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons. A spirited boy who loved riding motorcycles and hiking through the woods, Ryan’s life was tragically cut short due to a devastating misstep.
On October 9, 2012, Ryan, a seventh-grader, went to school like any other day. But that afternoon, a simple mistake turned deadly. While experiencing an asthma attack, Ryan could have easily reached for his inhaler, a tool that could have saved his life. Tragically, the inhaler was gone—it had been stolen.
What began as a typical school day for Ryan ended in an unimaginable loss, reminding us all of how serious asthma can be.
The Tragic Incident: A Life Lost Due to Asthma
During a routine football game at school, Ryan Gibbons experienced a life-threatening asthma attack. Desperately needing his inhaler to clear his airways and breathe, Ryan’s only option was to reach the medication stored in the school office. But the inhaler was locked away, as per the school’s policy.
While Ryan’s friends rushed to help, racing to the office in hopes of getting to the inhaler in time, the clock was against them. The precious moments it took to unlock the office were too long. By the time they reached the inhaler, it was already too late. Ryan lost consciousness and, tragically, never regained it.
His heartbreaking death is a stark reminder of how dangerous asthma can be when quick access to rescue medication is denied.
A Nation Shaken by Tragedy: The Elgin Country School Catastrophe
The entire country was left in shock and mourning after the devastating incident at Elgin Country School in Ontario, Canada. An investigation into the circumstances revealed a chilling truth: despite repeated requests from Ryan’s mother and a doctor’s note advising otherwise, the school refused to allow Ryan to carry his inhaler with him.
In an effort to work around this restrictive policy, Ryan’s mother, Sandra Gibbons, shared that he would often bring an extra inhaler to school, hoping to be prepared in case of an emergency.
However, the school’s strict policy of locking away inhalers created a dangerous situation. Asthma attacks can strike without warning, and having quick access to medication is critical. Despite this, the school continued to confiscate Ryan’s extra inhaler, ignoring the risks and ultimately contributing to the tragic loss of life.
A Mother’s Struggle: The Unseen Consequences of a Strict School Policy
Ryan’s mother, Sandra Gibbons, recalls the frustrating and heartbreaking calls she received from the school time and time again. Each time Ryan brought his inhaler to class, it was confiscated, and Sandra was asked to come pick it up. “You would give him an inhaler, but he would get caught with it, and then it would be taken away,” Sandra shared with CBC.
These calls became a constant source of stress. “I couldn’t figure out why,” she said. “I was unaware of the policy requiring all prescribed medication to be kept in the office.”
What seemed like a routine inconvenience at the time turned into a devastating loss. Ryan’s tragic death became a painful turning point. But Sandra made a promise—his death would not be in vain. Since then, she has dedicated herself to ensuring no other family has to endure the same unimaginable pain and loss she has experienced.
In the wake of her heartbreaking loss, Sandra Gibbons took decisive action. After burying her beloved son, she launched a petition aimed at compelling school boards across Ontario to implement standardized asthma management programs. Her mission was clear: to prevent another family from suffering the same tragedy. She also called on all three political parties to support a private member’s bill introduced by Progressive Conservative Jeff Yurek, advocating for better asthma protocols in schools.
“It was like losing everything I lived for when Ryan died,” Sandra confided to Allergic Living. “I realized this was a tragedy that could have been avoided. When I buried my son, I knew he would still be here today if people had been properly trained and knew what to look for when a child was in distress.”
Sandra’s painful journey to make schools safer for all children has become a tireless fight for change, driven by the desire to ensure no other parent has to face the loss she endured.
Sandra’s Mission: A Law Born from Tragedy
Sandra Gibbons’ unwavering goal was clear: to change the regulations that prevented children with asthma from carrying their life-saving inhalers. Her tireless advocacy would soon pay off, with significant changes to the law. All parties in the Ontario legislature came together to support Bill 135—known as Ryan’s Law—a crucial step toward protecting children with asthma.
Under the new law, schools are now required to allow students to carry their inhalers with them, either in their pockets or backpacks, as long as they have a doctor’s note.
“I’m really emotional, overwhelmed, and happy that it’s going to be implemented,” Sandra said, reflecting on the victory. “This is a huge step forward.” Dr. Rob Oliphant, president of the Asthma Society, also applauded the passing of the bill, emphasizing its importance: “It is crucial that children with asthma have easy access to potentially life-saving asthma medications while at school.”
Thanks to Sandra’s relentless fight, Ryan’s Law will save lives, ensuring that no other parent has to endure the tragedy she did.
The Fight for Life-Saving Access: Ryan’s Legacy
Across the United States, laws exist that allow students with asthma to carry their inhalers with them at all times. Yet, in many schools, children are still being denied access to these essential medications. Despite the legal protections, anti-drug policies in schools sometimes prevent kids from keeping their inhalers nearby. This is a critical issue, as over ten Americans lose their lives to asthma every day. While asthma-related fatalities have decreased over the past decade, every single death is one that could have been prevented with proper access to medication.
Ryan’s story is a tragic reminder of the consequences of restrictive asthma policies. “It breaks my heart,” says Sandra Gibbons, Ryan’s mother. “It’s heartbreaking, and I simply can’t stand it when people don’t understand the risks.” Ryan’s death, though deeply painful, sparked a movement that has changed the lives of countless children with asthma. If not for Sandra’s tireless battle for justice, more young lives would likely be lost to preventable asthma attacks.
Thanks to her advocacy, Ryan’s Law became a reality, ensuring children with asthma have the right to carry their inhalers with them at school. To honor Ryan and raise awareness about the critical need for easy access to asthma medication, let’s share his story and keep pushing for change. The fight for safer schools and the protection of children’s lives is far from over.