Ryan Gibbons was a lively 12-year-old boy with a passion for motorbikes and hiking, whose life was tragically cut short due to an asthma attack at school in 2012. On that day, Ryan began struggling to breathe while playing soccer, but his life-saving inhaler was locked away in the school’s office, preventing him from using it immediately. Despite his friends’ efforts to take him to get the inhaler, they could not reach it in time. Ryan lost consciousness and, sadly, could not be revived.
The school’s strict policy of keeping inhalers locked, coupled with repeated confiscation of Ryan’s spare inhalers, played a critical role in this avoidable tragedy. His mother, Sandra Gibbons, had repeatedly tried to ensure Ryan could carry his inhaler but faced resistance. The devastating loss prompted Sandra to advocate for change to protect other children with asthma.
Today, Ryan’s story serves as a powerful reminder of how asthma can be fatal if not managed properly and the importance of having immediate access to rescue medication. His legacy has led to legislative changes, such as Ryan’s Law in Ontario, which mandates schools to allow children to carry their inhalers with appropriate documentation. Though Ryan’s life was cut short, his family’s efforts have helped prevent similar tragedies, encouraging better asthma awareness and policies in schools.
