My son died of an asthma attack and now I’m campaigning to make inhalers free in England – people shouldn’t have to ‘pay to breathe’

By Liam On Feb 13, 2024

A mother who lost her son to an asthma attack is campaigning to make inhalers free in England. She says people don’t have to “pay to breathe.”

Donna Smitheman, 44, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, lost her son, Jordan Ashley Smitheman, 25, in December 2023 when he collapsed after an asthma attack.

The mother-of-two and her husband, Steven, 48, performed CPR before paramedics took over, but they could not save his life.

Donna, a special education teaching assistant, is campaigning to make asthma treatment free in England.

Donna said that while Jordan could afford the treatment – and had an inhaler in each pocket – some families might struggle.

Donna Smitheman, 44, (right) from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, lost her son, Jordan Ashley Smitheman, 25, (second from left) in December 2023 when he collapsed after an asthma attack

Donna said: ‘His heartbeat kept coming back but the oxygen couldn’t get into his lungs. His lungs were compressed. It was horrible.

‘The cost (of inhalers) wasn’t an issue for us, but it could be for other people. People shouldn’t have to pay to breathe, that’s not fair.’

Jordan was diagnosed with asthma at the age of two after his parents realized he was coughing badly when he ran around.

Donna said the condition didn’t hold Jordan back, but he often ended up in the hospital during the winter due to seizures.

She said: “He ended up in intensive care at 17. He was in a coma for five days. It was horrible. Even then I didn’t realize how serious asthma could be. We didn’t see how bad it could actually get.’

Jordan was with his girlfriend when the fatal asthma attack occurred on December 29, 2023.

The couple called for an ambulance, but after being told there would be a four-hour wait, Donna and Steven decided to take him to hospital themselves.

Jordan was with his girlfriend when the fatal asthma attack occurred on December 29, 2023

The mother-of-two and her husband, Steven, 48, (second from left), who works in manufacturing, performed CPR before paramedics took over – but they couldn’t save his life

Since the loss of her son, Donna has thrown herself into funeral planning and is now campaigning

Donna said the family has always been “really close” – and Jordan was especially close to his sister, Alisha, 20 (Jordan pictured with sister Alisha when they were kids)

Donna said: “He had trouble talking and breathing. We were less than five minutes into the ride and he made these three horrible noises and collapsed.

WHAT IS ASTHMA?

Asthma is a common but incurable condition that affects the small tubes in the lungs.

It can cause them to become inflamed or swollen, restricting the airways and making it harder to breathe.

The condition affects people of all ages and often begins in childhood. Symptoms may improve or even disappear as children get older, but may return in adulthood.

Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing, and these can worsen during an asthma attack.

Treatment usually involves medications that are inhaled to calm the lungs.

Triggers for the condition include allergies, dust, air pollution, exercise, and infections such as a cold or flu.

If you think you or your child has asthma you should see a doctor as it can develop into more serious complications such as fatigue or lung infections.

Source: NHS

“We stopped and started CPR. We called for an ambulance again and they told me to get a defibrillator.

‘I couldn’t go in because I left my phone with my husband, who was having chest compressions.

‘The ambulance crew had arrived when I got back. They took him to the hospital and continued for an hour before they had to turn off the machine. We were crying, but we were numb.”

Since the loss of her son, Donna has thrown herself into funeral planning and is now campaigning.

She said: ‘An advert for an inhaler popped up on my Facebook and I clicked on it and a few comments said this is free in Scotland and Wales.

“Jordan always said, ‘How come I have to pay if it’s a life-threatening condition?”.

Although Jordan was able to afford the treatment, Donna is aware that some families may be struggling.

She said, “I’m not doing this for Jordan. There’s nothing we can do now. But if we can help another family.”

Donna said the family has always been “really close” – and Jordan was particularly close to his sister, Alisha, 20.

She said: ‘They were even mistaken for a couple. He was so protective, so attentive. He was one of a kind.”

In her Change.org petitionDonna explains that around 5.4 million people in the UK are currently being treated for this disease.

But despite these high numbers, asthma medicines are not free on the NHS in England (while they are in Scotland and Wales).

She wrote: “We believe that access to life-saving medicines should be a right, not a privilege defined by a person’s ability to pay.

‘We are calling on the NHS and the Government of England to make all asthma treatments free. This will ensure that everyone suffering from this condition has equal access to necessary care and can manage their symptoms effectively, without fear of cost.”