Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Hello, my name is Miles White (20133370) and I am writing to appeal the decision that I must withdraw from Queen??s for a minimum of 1 year and improve academic standing.

The reason I am looking to appeal this decision is because I believe it is due in large part to my ongoing, lifetime struggle with chronic migraines. I would first like to acknowledge that this is my second appeal for withdraw since being at Queen??s, as I successfully appealed last year. In this letter I hope to illustrate why I think this happened, as well as the steps I am currently taking and hope to take in the future to ensure the greatest possibility of my academic success, which I am determined to achieve.

When my first appeal was denied I was quite honestly devastated. My biggest fear of my condition dramatically affecting my education and life came to fruition. I have always managed to just keep my head above water with my condition, but this made me feel like I was drowning. That said, even before I received the decision I was already taking steps to permanently improve my condition. In my letter from the Associate Dean, it was noted that the decision was not meant to be punitive, but instead to allow me time of to improve both my mental and physical health, which is totally understandable, especially considering my condition being chronic. However, I believe that these 4 or so months of summer have, and will continue to do just that. As noted in my letter from my doctor in my previous email I am doing and plan do do various things that have greatly improved my condition. For example the change in medication noted in my first letter has been very helpful, especially the medication I take for when I get attacks, I have seen a far greater success rate in eliminating the migraines. Something else I have began doing that has also helped is the addition of a chiropractor. I have began seeing a chiropractor about 2 times a week and this has also been extremely helpful, and have set up a plan with him to ensure a continuation of this success through finding me another chiropractor in Kingston that can work with him to continue the vast success we have been seeing this summer. I have added a note from my chiropractor, Dr. Pelly, to this appeal. Lastly, through the recommendation of my doctor I have made appointments with a therapist to work on stress management techniques to even further improve my condition. The culmination of these proactive decisions have made my condition easily the best it has ever been in my life. My attack numbers are low and when I do get an attack the average severity is far lower and more manageable. I am working a high stress job as well without difficulty which was always one of my life long worries. I truly believe this is just the beginning too, and think I have finally reached a point in my life where I can live without pain. It is because of the culmination of these new tactics and the vast improvement that I have seen and continue to see that make me fully confident I will be able to meet my academic requirements in full and attend Queens again this upcoming year if my appeal is successful. I hope this letter, as well as proof of improvement will be enough to show the Board I am in the best possible position to succeed that I have ever been in.

I'm unsure if this is something to include in the letter but I would also like to attend the board meeting, in order to show my dedication to this process

Thank you for your time in reviewing my appeal.

Regards,
Miles