Child Denied Inhaler At School During Coughing Fit

By Lina Bryce

Imagine that your child was refused her prescribed inhaler during a coughing fit so violent it caused her to vomit? This happened to Emma Gonzalez, 9, a student in West Jordan, Utah, who was denied her inhaler during a coughing fit that occurred while she was under the supervision of school faculty.

Fox 13  Now reported that Emma was given a prescription after being taken to the emergency room for coughing fit over the weekend. On Monday, she suffered another attack during class at Columbia Elementary School. Unable to breathe, she took out her prescribed inhaler that would have given her relief. Instead, it was immediately confiscated from her and she was sent to the principal’s office.

“When I get into the coughing fit,” Emma told reporters, “I kind of hurtle [sic] up on the ground, can’t breathe and then I start to kind of feel a little nauseous,” that was when sources say she vomited on herself.

The school district is on the defensive, saying that their school acted appropriately, as it was a precautionary measure for the child’s safety. They explain that because they were not notified beforehand of the inhaler, which was not labeled with the child’s name on it, they acted justly.

A spokesperson for the district, Sandy Riesgraf said, “There could be all sorts of problems if children were just allowed to take any medication and we didn’t have that verification. Again, this is for the student’s safety.”

However, this isn’t just any medication. This is an inhaler which is used to open up the bronchial airways to help a child breathe, or even save them from asphyxiation.

Gonzales’ mother, Brittany Badger, obviously shaken, explains that although she understands the intent behind the policy, she feels that the school should have acted once her daughter started vomiting.

“When a child is puking all over themselves and they can’t breathe,” said Badger, “you know you kind of have to take action right then and there.”

A similar incident in a public school in Ontario was reported on December 8, 2014 by CBC News. In this incident, a 12-year-old asthmatic child died because the school refused him immediate access to his inhaler. Reportedly, the staff confiscated the boy’s spare inhalers on a regular basis, as it was the school’s policy to keep the inhalers under lock and key.

Fortunately, Emma’s coughing fit eventually subsided without such consequence and without the aid of the inhaler. Her father, who was contacted during the coughing fit intends on keeping her out of school for the time being.

The School District officials insist that they would have called 911 if the situation became more dangerous, but any first-responder will tell you that every second counts; especially when breathing is obstructed. It is unclear what the school is protecting this child from, exactly.

It is noted on WebMD, a health information website, that asthma inhalers offer minimal side-effects, stating that “Inhaled steroids (asthma inhalers) are safe for adults and children. Side effects with these anti-inflammatory asthma inhalers are minimal. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that effectively controls your child’s or your asthma.”

Yes, the parents should have used better judgment and notified the school of the recent change in Emma’s medical condition. However, what about situations where there is miscommunication? Should a child die as a consequence?  This well-intentioned policy has the potential for dangerous unintended consequences. A 911 call would may not be quick enough to save a child who cannot breath.