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Petition Letter: Candice Rice
#20346093
January 2024
Letter of Petition for Late Course Drop

To whom it may concern,
My name is Candice Rice; I am petitioning for a late course drop for POLS 250 during the 2023 fall semester at Queens University.
When I was in 10th grade, I was diagnosed with dysautonomia. Dysautonomia refers to a general dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. I struggled with severely low blood pressure, low vitamin levels, nausea, fatigue, chronic pain and a variety of other symptoms. However, after extensive time in the hospital, working with the pediatric chronic pain team and physiotherapists, I was able to find ways to manage symptoms, and although it was a struggle, I had a turnaround that allowed me to feel like myself again.
Simultaneously, balancing an illness on top of all the other high school pressures was not fostering for a good mental health. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at a very young age. Oftentimes, when I would be in physical pain, my mental health would suffer as well.
Needless to say, academics can be very challenging at times to balance. The QSAS team has been very helpful in providing accommodations that fit my needs and their helpful advice.
Around late October / early November of 2023, I began to experience a severe exacerbation of my symptoms. I was vomiting every day, I felt incredibly exhausted, and I really struggled to achieve anything whilst feeling so poorly. My attendance in all my classes was very poor, but I tried hard to do what I could and managed to pass my other three classes.
My parents ended up coming to get me around the time of the POLS 250 midterm so I could be seen by my physician of the last seven years. I was not anticipating being home for more than a week; however, after some tests, my doctor discovered some pressing digestive issues. I ended up staying at my house in Grand Bend under my doctor's care from November 10th - January 2nd.
Consequently, I was never able to write the POLS 250 midterm or final exam.
I started the year off doing decently in attending my classes and did not start feeling an exacerbation of symptoms until after the course add or drop date on September 18th. I did not anticipate falling ill and subsequently did not drop POLS 250. After discussing my options with my QSAS advisor and an academic advisor, we determined the best option at the time was to focus on passing my other classes and petition to drop POLS 250. Since then, my second semester has been going much more smoothly. I genuinely enjoy learning and appreciate the opportunity of being a student at an institution like Queens. I’m drastically better since seeing my doctors at home, and I look forward to improving my grades to reflect the student I know I can be. I appreciate you taking the time and consideration in this matter.
Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Candice Rice