Asthma attacks can be life-threatening, as tragically demonstrated by the death of 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons in 2012. Ryan, an energetic boy who loved outdoor activities, suffered a fatal asthma attack at school when his inhaler, locked in the principal’s office due to school policy, was inaccessible. Despite his mother’s repeated efforts to allow Ryan to carry his inhaler and a doctor’s note supporting this, the school confiscated his spare inhalers. During the attack, Ryan’s friends tried to carry him to the office, but they couldn’t reach the inhaler in time, and he passed away. This preventable tragedy highlighted the dangers of restrictive policies on life-saving medications for children with asthma.

In the wake of her son’s death, Sandra Gibbons fought tirelessly to ensure no other family would face such a loss. Her advocacy led to the passage of “Ryan’s Law” in Ontario, mandating that schools allow students to carry their asthma inhalers with a doctor’s note. The law, widely praised by asthma organizations, underscores the importance of immediate access to asthma medication. While every U.S. state permits students to carry inhalers, restrictive school policies still put lives at risk. Ryan’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the need for awareness and action to protect children with asthma, ensuring they always have access to life-saving medication.