Asthma attacks can be unpredictable, and in some cases, they escalate quickly, making it critical for individuals to have immediate access to their inhalers. Keeping an inhaler locked away in a room can be dangerous, as it may not be accessible in an emergency.

However, despite the risks, Ryan’s school repeatedly confiscated his extra inhaler.

Ryan’s mother, Sandra Gibbons, recalled receiving multiple phone calls from the school, informing her that Ryan had brought an inhaler with him. Each time, she was asked to come and pick it up. The school’s policy did not allow him to bring it home.

“You would give him an inhaler, but then he would get caught with it, and they would take it away,” Sandra told CBC in an interview.

Each time this happened, she would receive a phone call, leaving her frustrated and confused. “I didn’t understand why. I didn’t realize that the policy actually stated that prescribed medication needed to be kept in the office,” she said.

Tragically, Ryan’s death became the catalyst for change.

After his passing, Sandra made a promise to herself: she would do whatever she could to ensure no other family would have to suffer the same devastating loss.

Following the funeral, she launched a petition urging the Ontario government to implement standardized asthma management plans across all school boards. She also called on lawmakers to support a private member’s bill introduced by Progressive Conservative Jeff Yurek.

Sandra knew deep down that Ryan’s death could have been prevented. Speaking to Allergic Living, she expressed her grief and determination: “When Ryan passed away, it was like losing everything that I lived for. After burying my son, I knew that this was a preventable attack. To me, if people had appropriate training and knew what to look for when a child was in distress, he would be here today.”

She set out to change the laws that prevented asthmatic children from carrying their life-saving medication with them at all times.

Her relentless advocacy soon began to yield results.

Now known as Ryan’s Law, Bill 135 was passed with unanimous support in the Ontario legislature.

This groundbreaking legislation mandates that schools must allow children to keep their inhalers with them, whether in their pockets or backpacks, as long as they have a doctor’s note.

Sandra was overwhelmed with emotion when she learned the bill had passed. “I’m definitely overwhelmed, very emotional, very happy it’s going to be implemented,” she said.

The Asthma Society also celebrated the passage of the bill. Dr. Rob Oliphant, the organization’s president, emphasized its significance: “It is essential that children with asthma have ready access to potentially life-saving asthma medications while at school.”

Ryan’s Law marked a significant victory for asthmatic children and their families.

In the United States, every state has laws allowing students to carry their asthma inhalers at all times. However, despite these protections, some children still face restrictions, often due to rigid school policies that include inhalers in blanket bans on drugs and medications.

Fatal asthma attacks remain a serious concern. Every day, more than ten Americans die from asthma-related complications. While death rates have declined over the past decade, each loss is a stark reminder that asthma deaths are largely preventable.

Ryan’s story is heartbreaking. It’s devastating when preventable tragedies occur simply because policies fail to prioritize student safety.

Yet, while his death was an unimaginable loss, Ryan’s fate became a defining moment in the fight for the rights of children with asthma.

Without Sandra Gibbons’ tireless efforts and advocacy, more preventable deaths may have continued to occur. Her fight for justice not only honored her son’s memory but also helped ensure that other children would not have to suffer the same fate.

Politicians recognized the urgent need for reform and passed Ryan’s Law, ensuring that students would have immediate access to their inhalers when they needed them most.

It is vital to continue raising awareness about the risks associated with asthma. Lack of access to inhalers in critical moments can be fatal. Schools, parents, and lawmakers must work together to ensure that all children with asthma are protected.

Let’s keep Ryan’s story alive. Share this article to inform others about the importance of asthma safety in schools and the need for policies that prioritize student health.

Together, we can help prevent another tragedy.