A thirteen-year-old schoolboy experienced every parent's worst nightmare when a severe asthma attack left him fighting for breath during a routine physical education lesson, requiring urgent hospital intervention.
The terrifying incident occurred at Co-op Academy Walkden in Manchester, where Leo D'arcy's condition deteriorated so rapidly that he was left completely unable to breathe normally.
A Mother's Terror
Leo's mother, Stacey D'arcy, received the kind of phone call that chills any parent to their core. Rushing to the school, she discovered her son in a state of respiratory distress that would escalate into a full-blown medical crisis.
"When I got there, he was just grey," Stacey recalled, her voice undoubtedly filled with the memory of that panic-filled moment. "He couldn't breathe at all."
Emergency Response and Hospitalisation
The situation grew so critical that Leo required immediate hospital treatment at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. Medical professionals administered three different types of medication through a nebuliser in a desperate attempt to restore his breathing.
Stacey described the harrowing scene: "They had to give him three different nebulisers to get him breathing again. It was absolutely terrifying."
Questions Over School Protocol
What makes this incident particularly concerning is that Leo reportedly had his inhaler with him during the PE lesson but was allegedly not permitted to use it when he first felt his breathing becoming difficult.
This delay in treatment allowed the asthma attack to escalate to a dangerous level, raising serious questions about the school's handling of medical emergencies and their understanding of asthma management.
School's Response and Ongoing Concerns
Following the incident, the school has stated they are reviewing their medical policies and procedures. However, for Leo's family, the emotional and physical scars remain.
The young boy has been left traumatised by the experience and continues to suffer from breathing difficulties weeks after the incident, highlighting the potential long-term consequences of such medical emergencies.
A Warning to Parents and Schools
This distressing case serves as a crucial reminder to all educational institutions about the importance of having robust medical protocols in place, particularly for students with known health conditions like asthma.
It also underscores the need for all school staff, especially those supervising physical activities, to receive proper training in recognising and responding to medical emergencies promptly and effectively.
