Ryan Gibbons was a lively 12-year-old from Ontario, Canada, who loved motorbikes and playing outdoors. But a preventable tragedy cut his life short when he suffered a fatal asthma attack during a soccer game at school.
The reason? His inhaler was locked away in the principal’s office — and school staff had repeatedly confiscated his spare inhalers, even ignoring a doctor’s note and his mother’s pleas. As Ryan struggled to breathe, his friends tried to carry him to the office, but it was too late.
Ryan’s heartbroken mother, Sandra Gibbons, turned her grief into action. She pushed for change so no other family would suffer the same loss. Her efforts led to the creation of Ryan’s Law, passed unanimously in Ontario. The law requires schools to allow students to carry their inhalers with a doctor’s note.
Sandra’s courage helped spark national awareness. And while all U.S. states now have similar laws, some schools still wrongly restrict access to inhalers under zero-tolerance policies.
Asthma can be deadly, but Ryan’s story is a reminder that every life matters — and simple policy changes can save them.
💔 Rest in peace, Ryan. Your legacy is helping protect thousands.
📢 Share this story to raise awareness and remember why Ryan’s Law exists.