Asthma attacks can be life-threatening — as tragically shown by the death of 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons.
In 2012, Ryan had a fatal asthma attack at his Ontario school. His inhaler, locked in the office due to school policy, was out of reach. Despite efforts by his friends to get him help, he passed out and couldn’t be revived.
Ryan’s mother, Sandra Gibbons, had repeatedly tried to let him carry an extra inhaler, even providing a doctor’s note, but the school confiscated it each time.
Determined to prevent future tragedies, Sandra campaigned for change. Her efforts led to the passing of Ryan’s Law (Bill 135) in Ontario, requiring schools to let students carry their inhalers with a doctor’s approval.
Though U.S. laws allow students to carry inhalers, enforcement is inconsistent, and some schools still restrict access. Asthma kills over 10 Americans a day — yet most of these deaths are preventable with timely access to medication.