Asthma can be life-threatening, and 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons’ tragic story is a painful reminder of that reality.
Ryan was an energetic, adventurous boy who loved motorbikes and hiking in the woods. But on October 9, 2012, his life was cut short due to a devastating mistake—one that could have been avoided.
That day, Ryan went to school like any other morning. While playing soccer, he suffered a severe asthma attack. Desperately needing his inhaler to open his airways, he was unable to access it because it was locked in the school office—following a policy that prevented students from carrying their own rescue medication.
As Ryan struggled to breathe, his friends tried to carry him to the office to retrieve his inhaler, but it was too late. Ryan collapsed and never regained consciousness.
His mother, Sandra Gibbons, later revealed that despite her repeated efforts and even a doctor’s note, the school had confiscated Ryan’s extra inhalers time and time again. His mother had received calls from the school asking her to pick them up, unaware that this dangerous policy would ultimately cost her son’s life.
The devastating loss of Ryan shook the entire nation of Canada, sparking an outcry over school policies restricting access to life-saving medication. But his mother refused to let his death be in vain.
Determined to prevent another family from experiencing the same heartbreak, Sandra Gibbons launched a petition urging the Ontario government to implement standardized asthma management plans. Her fight led to the passing of Ryan’s Law (Bill 135)—a law that now allows children to carry their inhalers at school with a doctor’s note.
“I’m definitely overwhelmed, very emotional, very happy it’s going to be implemented,” Sandra said after the bill was passed with all-party support.
The Asthma Society also praised the law, emphasizing the importance of immediate access to life-saving medication for children with asthma.
While all U.S. states have laws permitting students to carry their inhalers, some schools still enforce blanket anti-drug policies that inadvertently restrict access to these critical medications. With over 10 Americans dying from asthma every day, stories like Ryan’s remind us that every asthma death is potentially preventable.
Ryan’s story serves as a powerful lesson that policies should never come before a child’s safety. His legacy lives on through the law that now ensures other children won’t face the same tragic fate.