Asthma and each attack can potentially be life-threatening.
The sudden and tragic passing of 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons serves as a stark reminder of this fact.
Ryan was a lively boy who had a passion for motorbikes and enjoyed hiking in the woods – yet a fatal error would soon claim his life.
In 2012, he experienced an asthma attack while at school.
He could have easily utilized his inhaler at the onset of the episode, but the essential device had been taken away from him. Share
On October 9, 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons, a grade 7 student, went to school – just like any other day.
However, that day would mark the end of his journey home.
Ryan experienced an asthma attack while playing soccer at school and could not access his rescue medication, which was secured in the school office.
The distressed boy required his inhaler to clear his airways and enable him to breathe.
However, the school’s policy mandated that inhalers be kept locked in the principal’s office, and spare inhalers were consistently confiscated from Ryan.
A group of Ryan’s friends attempted to carry him to the office during the attack, but they were unable to reach the inhaler in time.
Ryan lost consciousness and was never revived.
The unfortunate incident took place at the Elgin Country School in Ontario, Canada, and it deeply affected the entire nation.
Following an investigation, it was revealed that Ryan’s school prohibited him from having his inhaler with him, despite his mother’s persistent attempts and a doctor’s recommendation.
As stated by his mother, Sandra Gibbons, Ryan frequently brought an additional inhaler to school to circumvent this regulation.
Asthma attacks can be unpredictable, and it poses a risk to have the inhaler secured in a room.
However, the school continued to confiscate Ryan’s additional inhaler.
Ryan’s mother mentioned that the school contacted her multiple times, requesting her to retrieve an inhaler that Ryan had taken to school.
He was prohibited from taking it back home.
“You would provide him with an inhaler, but then he would be discovered with it, and subsequently, it would be confiscated,” Sandra Gibbons stated in an interview with CBC.
“Subsequently, I would receive a phone call. This was indeed quite frustrating. I could not comprehend the reason behind it. I was unaware that the policy explicitly required the prescribed medication to be present in the office.”
Fortunately, Ryan’s untimely death served a purpose.
In the wake of Ryan’s passing, his mother has committed herself to ensuring that no other family endures the same ordeal she faced.
Following the funeral, Sandra Gibbons initiated a petition directed at the Ontario government, demanding that school boards implement standardized asthma management plans, and she called upon all three political parties to support a private member’s bill proposed by Progressive Conservative Jeff Yurek.
“When Ryan passed away, it felt as though I had lost everything I lived for,” Gibbons shared with Allergic Living. “After laying my son to rest, I realized that this was a preventable incident. In my view, if individuals had the proper training and understood the signs of a child in distress, he would still be alive today.”
Sandra aimed to amend the laws that prevent asthmatic children from carrying their essential life-saving devices.
Before long, her determined efforts would yield positive outcomes.
Now recognized as Ryan’s Law, Bill 135 has successfully passed with unanimous support from all parties in the legislature.
The legislation mandates that educational institutions permit students to keep their inhalers in their pockets or backpacks, provided they have a physician’s note.
“I am certainly feeling overwhelmed, extremely emotional, and very pleased that this will be put into effect,” expressed Sandra Gibbons.
The Asthma Society also commended the approval of the bill, with its president, Dr. Rob Oliphant, stating, “It is crucial for children with asthma to have immediate access to potentially life-saving asthma medications while they are at school.”
Every state in the United States has legislation that permits students to carry their asthma inhalers with them at all times.
Nevertheless, some children continue to be denied access to these essential medications during school hours. Numerous schools prohibit inhalers under their comprehensive anti-drug policies.
Fatal asthma remains a serious issue, with over 10 Americans succumbing to asthma each day.
Although mortality rates have decreased over the last ten years, any death resulting from asthma is potentially avoidable.
I’m so sorry to hear about Ryan’s story. I just hate it when people don’t think and it’s heartbreaking!
But although Ryan’s history is very tragic, his fate became the decisive factor in changing the lives of thousands of children with asthma.
Without his mother’s struggle for justice, more tragic deaths would probably occur and I am happy that the politicians signed ”Ryan’s law”.
Let’s pass this article on to remember Ryan and to inform others about the risks of asthma patients not having close access to their inhaler.
