Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing to respectfully petition that I be allowed to retroactively drop both of my failed attempts at DEVS 220 (Introduction to Indigenous Studies), due to extenuating circumstances.

While taking these courses, I experienced serious medical issues that were beyond my control and that prevented me from effectively completing my coursework. This had a material negative impact on my grades, which dropped significantly, compared to the 3.46 GPA that I maintained through my first two years of study in the Queen??s Nursing program.

I have suffered from escalating chronic migraines for over 4 years. To this date, my migraines remain resistant to treatment, such that I have not been able to find a drug or treatment that will prevent the headaches or provide acute relief.

By the start of my third year at Queens (the 2021 Fall Term), I was experiencing continuous migraines every day, from the moment I woke up, until I went to sleep. Furthermore, I would regularly be woken in the night with pain that prevented me from falling back to sleep. This often impacted my ability to attend classes, obtain proper sleep, focus and concentrate, formulate thoughts and ideas, organize my time, and process, remember and recall information.

I also developed daily anxiety symptoms and experienced serious depressive episodes that were related to and intensified by my migraines.

By the start of the 2022 winter term (January 2022), I concluded that, due to my condition, I could not continue in my clinical placements in the nursing program. I made the difficult decision to withdraw from Queen??s Nursing and switched into elective courses (while temporarily remaining in a Nursing plan). I then switched into a Global Development plan in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences at the start of the 2022 summer term.

During the spring of 2022, I was under the care of my family physician, Dr. Ashley Zaretsky, pain specialist Dr. Gary Shapero, and neurologist Dr. Evan Lewis. I tried multiple pain medications (some of which caused brain fog and further worsened my cognitive disabilities) and underwent a battery of medical tests.

Although I was attempting to address the medical aspects of my condition, I failed to recognize the seriousness of the anxiety and depression that I was experiencing. By mid-summer of 2022, I finally acknowledged this and worked with my medical team at the Neurology Centre of Toronto to commence a more holistic treatment plan that included psychotherapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and new pain management treatments.

Unfortunately, the improvements from this plan were not immediate and I continued to struggle academically in the fall of 2022. Specifically, in my Global Development courses, the concepts and content were new and very foreign to me. With my cognitive challenges, I found that I could not keep up with the course readings and essay work.

Fortunately, by late November 2022, I started to see some benefits from my new treatment plan. My daily headaches continue, but my anxiety and depression have improved substantially, along with my ability to cope day-to-day.

These improvements did not come in time for me to pass DEVS 220 in the fall of 2022, but I believe they have put me in a better position to be more successful moving forward.

Specifically, my plan going forward is as follows:

1. In January 2023, I switched back into science and psychology courses, which are familiar to me and which I find easier to comprehend in my condition. These courses have less reliance on essays and the learning and evaluation approach is a better fit with my current capabilities. Following my first few months of studies, I am finding it easier to keep up on my work and I am encouraged by my progress.

2. After May 22, 2023, I will apply to change to a general psychology degree plan. While I have always wanted to earn an honours degree, I still continue to experience daily headaches. I believe that this plan will give me greater flexibility to complete a degree while managing my medical condition. I would like to apply to teachers?? college one day and I understand that a three-year degree will allow me to do so.

3. I will continue to utilize my Queen??s accommodation plan, which I have recently established and learned how to use effectively.

4. I plan to take a reduced course load, which will make it easier for me to keep up with course work when I miss time due to severe migraines. A lighter course load will also make it easier for me to manage and attend my medical appointments.

5. Where possible, I will take in-person classes. While my migraines make it difficult to attend all classes, I find it easier in my current state to comprehend material in a live lecture setting. In-person classes also force me to maintain a regular schedule and to keep current with course material.

6. In May 2023, I am scheduled to commence a new medical Ketamine and therapy program with Dr. Stephen Lewis of the Neurology Centre of Toronto. I am optimistic that this will further help improve my ability to manage my condition.

In summary, I respectfully request to retroactively drop both of my attempts at DEVS 220, such that they will not affect my GPA and hinder my chances of being accepted into teachers?? college. I will be making a similar request to the Queen??s School of Nursing.

I have attached two letters from my medical team that were written for me when I recently applied for academic accommodations through Queen??s Wellness Services.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Hannah Doel