Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: The associate dean recognized the validity of my appeal, yet she did not accept the timeline. I was unaware that I also needed to justify extending this timeframe. Over the past year, I faced two significant health challenges that led to both mental and physical distress, trauma, and subsequently a chronic condition. The first issue began in my first year and became particularly severe in the summer of 2022. At that time, I was grappling with a severe eating disorder, finding myself 40 pounds below a healthy weight. Concerned for my well-being, my family physician in July and August of 2022 urged immediate medical intervention in Kingston. I was at a point where if I could not receive this treatment, I would have to stay at home and delay my studies. I followed this advice in September 2022, dedicating the entire fall semester to recovery. I prioritized my health over academic pursuits, dropping courses and extracurricular activities to focus on healing.

During the second semester, still underweight and with a weakened immune system, I contracted typhoid fever during a trip. This resulted in frequent hospital and clinic visits throughout the winter semester. It took four months to return to a stable health condition, leaving me with several ongoing chronic issues and the ongoing task of regaining my lost weight. These circumstances significantly diverted my attention from academic responsibilities, underscoring that my inability to meet the original timeline was due to unforeseeable health complications. I have supportive documentation from my counsellor, who is also prepared to discuss the details of my medical diagnosis.

This experience has impacted me both physically and mentally. I am still on the path to recovery, grappling with anxiety, panic attacks, and the psychological aspects of an eating disorder. My upbringing in an abusive family environment left me without positive coping mechanisms, something I am actively working to improve. Last year, I felt disconnected from my true self. I am now on a journey of rediscovery, learning anew how to be myself.

Additionally, I want to mention that during this challenging period, I was caught in the severe snowstorm of December 2022. We were stranded in our car for 24 hours on a side road, unable to move as the highways were closed and emergency responders could not reach us due to unsafe conditions. This harrowing experience led to a profound fear of cars and driving, which further complicated my daily life during an already difficult time.