Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

New Information: I have documentation for all the statements made below to be shown during a set appointment.

Hi, Dr. Stephenson

I am appealing to drop the course CHEM 222. I am appealing to drop CHEM 222 because of my severe health conditions. I had previously submitted an appeal to Johanne Bernard in the 2017- 2018 school year to drop this course. Dr. Bernard believed it would be best to extend the date I would complete the exam. With this extension to complete the course, I would be studying during the 2018-2019 fall semester. Yet, I was not able to prepare for this exam during the time period given due to my health conditions worsening.

During the time period I was given to study for an extension, I had several seizures, weakness and fatigue and testing for my disorders. I had to go to a sleep study clinic for two days for testing due to obstructive sleep apnea. During this time period, I did not have my mouth guard for my sleep apnea made by Dr. Ken Luco, as it had to be custom made. I also stopped receiving my biweekly needle for iron Deficiency Anemia. Also, I was hospitalized for around 2 weeks at KGH in the neurology department because of my severe Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. I had to remain at the hospital for EEG testing for my Focal seizures, major depressive disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea narcolepsy, panic anxiety disorder and ADHD. The head neurologist Dr. Lomax at KGH neurology department, had me admitted at the hospital for days doing tests to possibly have brain surgery in the future, once determining what side of my brain is injured resulting in focal seizures. I was advised and asked to stay in the hospital for weeks, but I decided to leave once I was given an option to see if I could focus on school. When I was released on November 11th from the hospital, I had to continue to wear the EEG monitoring device where I was too limit my daily activities and could not attend all my classes. The doctor advised me to only return to my school activities in a week or two after the tests. After the time advised to return to school work, I had emergency visits. I was in the hospital emergency in December 11th due to having up to four seizures in one day and in emergency again, December 16th because I had another 3 seizures in one day. My seizures increased up to 3 per day. It was not until the end of December my medication for my epilepsy and ADHD was increased. Also, I am now with a therapist.
I have already spoken with the undergraduate chair of chemistry who is also the professor for the course CHEM 222. He is aware of my medical conditions and has always been very understanding and I appreciate how much help I have received from all my professors because I do work at a slower pace. He advises me to drop the course too and redo the course rather than relearning alone the material and writing the exam. I would like to drop CHEM 222 but I will be taking the course in the 2019-2020 school year in the winter term. I would like to have the opportunity to retake this course while I am in a better medical state as the neurology team is still working with me and my medication has increased and now I am with a therapist to keep me stable. I want to complete these courses to the best of ability, receiving a diploma in either English or Chemistry. Even though I have had challenges having DR and IN, I would like to continue to work as much as possible to work towards my diploma in one of the two programs. With help from my doctor and help from the school I know I can complete my goal and be successful. Thank you for reading my appeal letter.

Sincerely,

Jenelle Hogarth (Student number: 20022559)