It all started when the little boy and his friends were playing soccer 💔

Asthma can be life-threatening, and the tragic death of 12-year-old Ryan Gibbons is a heartbreaking reminder of that reality. Ryan, an energetic boy who loved motorbikes and hiking, suffered a fatal asthma attack at school in 2012. What made the situation even more devastating was that his life-saving inhaler was locked away in the school office, in accordance with school policy, leaving him unable to access it during the emergency.

On October 9, Ryan went to school like any other day. While playing soccer, he experienced an asthma attack and needed his inhaler to open his airways. Despite repeated efforts by his mother, Sandra Gibbons, and a doctor’s note allowing him to carry the medication, school rules prevented Ryan from keeping his inhaler with him. Friends tried to rush him to the office, but they could not reach it in time. Ryan passed out and never recovered.

The tragedy at Elgin Country School in Ontario, Canada, shocked the nation. Investigations revealed that the school repeatedly confiscated Ryan’s extra inhalers, even though he had brought them to bypass the restrictive policy. Sandra Gibbons described the situation as “very frustrating,” not realizing that the prescribed medication legally had to remain in the office.

Ryan’s death, though tragic, sparked a movement for change. Sandra Gibbons launched a petition and campaigned for legislation to ensure children with asthma could access their inhalers at school. Her efforts culminated in the passage of Bill 135, known as Ryan’s Law, with all-party support. The law mandates that students with a doctor’s note can carry their inhalers in their pocket or backpack. “I’m definitely overwhelmed, very emotional, very happy it’s going to be implemented,” Sandra said. The Asthma Society also praised the legislation, emphasizing the importance of ready access to life-saving medication.

Ryan’s story highlights a critical lesson: asthma attacks are unpredictable, and restricting access to inhalers can have deadly consequences. While laws exist in many places to allow students to carry their inhalers, some schools still enforce blanket policies that put children at risk. Ryan’s Law ensures that no child in Ontario will face the same preventable tragedy, transforming a heartbreaking loss into a life-saving legacy.

Sharing Ryan’s story is essential—not only to honor his memory but also to raise awareness about the importance of access to asthma medication in schools.