Asthma attacks can escalate rapidly, turning into life-threatening emergencies in a matter of moments. Sadly, for 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons, one such attack proved fatal—an outcome that could have been prevented if he had access to his inhaler.
Ryan was a lively young boy with a passion for motorbikes and exploring nature. But in 2012, a devastating event changed everything. While at school, Ryan experienced a severe asthma attack. He needed his inhaler immediately—but it wasn’t within reach.
A Preventable Tragedy
On October 9, Ryan, a seventh-grade student in Ontario, Canada, left for school just as he had every other day. However, that afternoon, tragedy struck. During a soccer game, he began struggling to breathe, his airways tightening as the asthma attack took hold. His inhaler, a device that could have saved his life, was locked away in the principal’s office—a strict school policy that prevented students from carrying their own medication.
As Ryan gasped for air, his friends tried desperately to help, attempting to carry him to the office where his inhaler was kept. But time was against them. Ryan collapsed before they could reach it and, despite efforts to revive him, he never regained consciousness.
A Policy That Cost a Life
The heartbreaking part of this story is that Ryan’s mother, Sandra Gibbons, had tried multiple times to change the school’s stance on inhalers. With a doctor’s note in hand, she pleaded for Ryan to be allowed to keep his medication with him. But school officials refused, confiscating any spare inhalers he brought to class. On multiple occasions, Sandra was called to pick up the inhalers that Ryan had managed to sneak in—only for them to be taken away again.
“I didn’t understand why,” she shared with CBC. “You’d give him an inhaler, and then he’d get caught with it and have it taken away. Then I’d get a phone call.”
Asthma can strike unpredictably, and every second matters when an attack begins. The school’s rigid policy ultimately prevented Ryan from accessing the device that could have saved his life.
Fighting for Change
Following Ryan’s death, his mother channeled her grief into advocacy. Determined to prevent other families from enduring the same pain, she launched a petition urging the Ontario government to mandate asthma-friendly policies in schools. Her campaign gained traction, drawing support from all political parties and culminating in the passage of Bill 135—better known as Ryan’s Law.
The legislation, which passed with unanimous support, ensures that students in Ontario can carry their inhalers with them, provided they have a doctor’s approval.
“I’m overwhelmed, emotional, but mostly relieved that no other child will have to suffer the way Ryan did,” Sandra said after the law was enacted.
A Nationwide Issue
While Ryan’s Law is a significant victory in Canada, the issue extends beyond its borders. In the United States, all states have laws permitting students to carry their asthma medication, yet some schools still enforce outdated rules that restrict access. Blanket anti-drug policies sometimes include inhalers, putting children at unnecessary risk.
Asthma remains a major health concern, claiming the lives of over 10 Americans daily. While advances in treatment and awareness have helped reduce fatalities in recent years, every preventable death is one too many.
Remembering Ryan
Ryan Gibbons’ story is a painful reminder of the critical importance of access to emergency medication. His death was avoidable, and thanks to his mother’s relentless efforts, many children will now be protected from similar tragedies.
Though nothing can bring Ryan back, his legacy lives on through the law that bears his name. His story should serve as a wake-up call to schools and policymakers everywhere: lifesaving medication should never be out of reach when it’s needed most.
Help spread awareness about the risks of restricting access to asthma medication. Share Ryan’s story, and ensure that no child ever faces a preventable tragedy like his again.