Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 1839
Submitted: February 10, 2016 at 4:02:02 PM
First Name: Matt
Last Name: Trottier
Student Number: 10075420
Email: matt.trottier@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: Undeclared
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies):
This letter is to request that an academic appeal be considered for the University to drop classes after the appeal deadline. These are classes for which I could not participate in due to illness. I did not appeal them within the 21-day deadline due to same. A thorough explanation of these circumstances follows.
I will keep this appeal letter concise while perfectly candid with the understanding that it will be kept strictly confidential in keeping with the University's policies.
In October 2013 I was hospitalized on an emergency basis. This was, in university Doctor Kenny's words, the beginning of a derailing caused by my illness. I was left hospitalized for almost three months as my condition was life threatening. I was declared completely incapacitated academically with severe illness from September 2013 to November 2014.
I have been diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder. Often with the severity I have experienced there is a poor prognosis and is one especially undesirable for those seeking a university education. This is given its impact on cognition and functioning in general. At times it has significantly interfered with decision making and perception of ability. Regardless of diagnostic label, my disease has had tremendous impact on my life and my educational career. My psychiatrist has determined my symptoms to be incapacitating for repeated prolonged periods over the past two years. This is not a word which is used lightly by myself or the medical community. However, there is hope.
Finding a medication regimen which stabilizes this condition and allows the patient to function takes time. Each medication must have a trial of a certain period of time while it is assessed, and again at each different dosage. It is our belief that we have found the best possible regimen and I have found the benefit to be life changing. This cannot be overstated. However, over the past two years my journey has not been easy. I have been hospitalized three times and declared incapacitated by HCDS psychiatrist Dr Kenny 5 times. With that in mind, at last, since January 2015 I have been stable (consistently functional), with the exception of a minor case of mood disturbance in fall semester. I will be able to finish my courses this semester which is the main difference with this disturbance and with grades that I am proud of - grades that are competitive with the healthy population at Queens university. Things are looking better.
I have decided to submit my appeal at this point given that there is a positive outlook on my disease and that a prolonged medical leave is unlikely. This is the time for a new beginning with new found health. There is a chance that I may not have another episode in my life given that I have found medication which has stabilized my condition, despite the fact that it has taken two years.
I was in no state to appeal the drop in the 2013-2014 academic year which is the primary basis for which I am seeking a late appeal. As mentioned, I was declared incapacitated by Doctor Kenny from September 1, 2013 to November 27, 2014. Given that I had passed the appeal date while ill, I had decided to wait until the appropriate time when I had demonstrated a prolonged period of euthymic (stable) health to strengthen my application. I believe that this is now the case.
It should be noted that I was not able to participate in any course prior to the 2015-2016 academic year in any meaningful way due to my illness.
Let this be known: completing my education at Queen's University has been a significant motivating factor in my recovery. It is my most important goal and one that I strive toward each day.
I ask that you consider this appeal so that I may continue my education without the effects of illness on my transcript. I am living in Ottawa this year and taking courses at Queen¿¿s online. Before I return to Kingston in September, I will need to complete some first-year courses (e.g. CHEM112, PHYS117) which cannot be taken online during this summer at either Carleton or UOttawa. Being able to appeal to have these courses removed will mean that I may become eligible for a Letter of Permission to take these courses there so that I may enter 2nd year on time and resume normal life as a student. My goal is to have my academics in order for September 2016 so that I may put this behind me.
Thank you for your consideration.
Matt Trottier
This letter is to request that an academic appeal be considered for the University to drop classes after the appeal deadline. These are classes for which I could not participate in due to illness. I did not appeal them within the 21-day deadline due to same. A thorough explanation of these circumstances follows.
I will keep this appeal letter concise while perfectly candid with the understanding that it will be kept strictly confidential in keeping with the University's policies.
In October 2013 I was hospitalized on an emergency basis. This was, in university Doctor Kenny's words, the beginning of a derailing caused by my illness. I was left hospitalized for almost three months as my condition was life threatening. I was declared completely incapacitated academically with severe illness from September 2013 to November 2014.
I have been diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder. Often with the severity I have experienced there is a poor prognosis and is one especially undesirable for those seeking a university education. This is given its impact on cognition and functioning in general. At times it has significantly interfered with decision making and perception of ability. Regardless of diagnostic label, my disease has had tremendous impact on my life and my educational career. My psychiatrist has determined my symptoms to be incapacitating for repeated prolonged periods over the past two years. This is not a word which is used lightly by myself or the medical community. However, there is hope.
Finding a medication regimen which stabilizes this condition and allows the patient to function takes time. Each medication must have a trial of a certain period of time while it is assessed, and again at each different dosage. It is our belief that we have found the best possible regimen and I have found the benefit to be life changing. This cannot be overstated. However, over the past two years my journey has not been easy. I have been hospitalized three times and declared incapacitated by HCDS psychiatrist Dr Kenny 5 times. With that in mind, at last, since January 2015 I have been stable (consistently functional), with the exception of a minor case of mood disturbance in fall semester. I will be able to finish my courses this semester which is the main difference with this disturbance and with grades that I am proud of - grades that are competitive with the healthy population at Queens university. Things are looking better.
I have decided to submit my appeal at this point given that there is a positive outlook on my disease and that a prolonged medical leave is unlikely. This is the time for a new beginning with new found health. There is a chance that I may not have another episode in my life given that I have found medication which has stabilized my condition, despite the fact that it has taken two years.
I was in no state to appeal the drop in the 2013-2014 academic year which is the primary basis for which I am seeking a late appeal. As mentioned, I was declared incapacitated by Doctor Kenny from September 1, 2013 to November 27, 2014. Given that I had passed the appeal date while ill, I had decided to wait until the appropriate time when I had demonstrated a prolonged period of euthymic (stable) health to strengthen my application. I believe that this is now the case.
It should be noted that I was not able to participate in any course prior to the 2015-2016 academic year in any meaningful way due to my illness.
Let this be known: completing my education at Queen's University has been a significant motivating factor in my recovery. It is my most important goal and one that I strive toward each day.
I ask that you consider this appeal so that I may continue my education without the effects of illness on my transcript. I am living in Ottawa this year and taking courses at Queen¿¿s online. Before I return to Kingston in September, I will need to complete some first-year courses (e.g. CHEM112, PHYS117) which cannot be taken online during this summer at either Carleton or UOttawa. Being able to appeal to have these courses removed will mean that I may become eligible for a Letter of Permission to take these courses there so that I may enter 2nd year on time and resume normal life as a student. My goal is to have my academics in order for September 2016 so that I may put this behind me.
Thank you for your consideration.
Matt Trottier
Documentation
Professional Letter: HCDS dr. kenny note-0.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: Writing is faint - an original is in my file