In a troubling incident that raises questions about how schools handle medical emergencies, a student was suspended for helping a classmate during an asthma attack. Recently, a middle school girl faced suspension for lending her inhaler to a friend who was having difficulty breathing. This week, a Texas eighth grader, Jason Martinez, found himself in a similar predicament when he left class to assist a girl struggling to breathe.
According to reports from NBC11, Jason was in class at Gateway Middle School when a fellow student began to cough and wheeze. The teacher, while remaining calm, emailed the school nurse, but as time passed and no response came, the situation worsened. The girl was so distressed that she collapsed from her chair. Seeing this, Jason decided to take action and carried her to the nurse himself.
In the suspension notice, the teacher described the event: “During 5th period, another student mentioned she couldn’t breathe and was having an asthma attack. While I waited for the nurse’s reply, the student fell from her chair. Jason went over and picked her up, saying, ‘Forget waiting for the nurse!’ He walked out of class and carried her to the nurse.”
You’d think this would be a heroic move, right? Unfortunately, Jason was given a two-day suspension for using inappropriate language and for “leaving the classroom without permission.” To make matters worse, when his mother, Lisa Thompson, received a call from the school on the first day of his suspension asking why he wasn’t in class, she had to remind them that he was suspended! Lisa stated, “I understand he shouldn’t have used that language, but he could have saved her life by leaving class.”
Gateway Middle School, known for its strict disciplinary policies, may have contributed to this harsh reaction. It’s disheartening that instead of praising Jason for his quick thinking, the school chose to punish him for his actions. After all, why was the teacher waiting for an email while a student was gasping for air?
Asthma affects approximately 6.8 million children in the U.S., and serious consequences can arise from neglecting such medical emergencies. According to the CDC, in 2013 alone, there were 3,630 asthma-related deaths, and 1.8 million individuals were hospitalized due to asthma complications. A child fainting from an asthma attack is a serious issue, and instead of reprimanding Jason for taking action, schools should prioritize the health and safety of their students.
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In summary, Jason Martinez’s story highlights a significant gap in how schools respond to medical emergencies. Instead of punishing students for trying to help, there should be a focus on ensuring that all staff are prepared to respond effectively in critical situations.