Petition Letter
Dear To Whom it May Concern:
My name is Blythe Schmelke-Haagenson and I am in my 2nd year at Queen??s University. I am in the Arts and Science program, and also in the Concurrent Education program for junior and elementary teaching. I am from Vancouver, British Columbia. The reason I am reaching out to you today is because I am requesting an appeal.
I would like to drop my failed classes from 1st year and 1st term 2nd year after the deadline, and respectfully I am requesting late drops in DEVS 100 (FW 2021/2), MUSC 171 (W 2022), HIST 108, SPAN 111 (F 2022) and Credit standing in GEOL 106 (F 2021), PSYC 100 (FW 2021/22), FREB 106 (F 2022). The reason I am requesting these changes is because of my medical history while at Queen??s.
Attached you will find the documents that help prove my case. In my first year, November 2021, I had my first seizure at Queen??s in my residence, McNeill Hall. I have had one seizure before, but that was while I was at home in Vancouver at my highschool in grade 10. This seizure happened while exam season was right around the corner so it made it hard for me to stay academically stable, especially being across the country from my family. I was in and out of Kingston General Hospital, and was trying to get answers, however they didn??t have any for me at that time. In February of 2022, I had my 2nd seizure. I was at home for this one, it was while Queen??s was online for the pandemic, however yet again it affected how well I was doing in school. I was in and out of hospitals, getting tests, and regaining my strength. Later that month I was diagnosed with epilepsy and tried out different medications. Everytime I have a seizure it takes me time to recover and go back to my regular self. In June of 2022, I had another seizure while at home in Vancouver. I moved into a house with my friends for my 2nd year at Queen??s. It was going well until I had another seizure on December 1st, 2022 while writing a french project with my friend in her room in Kingston. Luckily I had her there so she called the paramedics and helped me through it. This one also took a lot of recovery, and my dad came out and we went home together. This affected my grades again, and I didn??t take an exam. In January of 2023, I went back to Queen??s University after winter break. I was there for about a month until I decided I needed a mental reset and came home. Just the other day (February 12th, 2023), the day after my 20th birthday, I had another seizure at home. I have been at home going to doctor appointments and trying to figure out my next steps.
Last February when I was diagnosed with epilepsy, I reached out to QSASS multiple times, and never heard anything back. From what I gathered, I was supposed to get accommodations for my diagnosis. I reached out at least three times but never got anything back.
I am in the process of formally withdrawing from Queen??s University for the winter 2023 term (January-May). I am currently in Vancouver mentally and physically resetting, and spending time with my family. While here at home, I am figuring my next academic steps and getting the medical attention and advice required so that when I return to school I am as healthy as I can be.
My doctor, Yahya Aghakhani (Director of Epilepsy Clinic, Vancouver General Hospital) is writing a letter to support my appeal.He is also happy to speak to you at any time. His phone number is 604-875-4402, epilepsy@vancouvergeneralhospital. Please let me know if there is any other documentation you would like.
Thank you for your consideration,
Blythe Schmelke-Haagenson
My name is Blythe Schmelke-Haagenson and I am in my 2nd year at Queen??s University. I am in the Arts and Science program, and also in the Concurrent Education program for junior and elementary teaching. I am from Vancouver, British Columbia. The reason I am reaching out to you today is because I am requesting an appeal.
I would like to drop my failed classes from 1st year and 1st term 2nd year after the deadline, and respectfully I am requesting late drops in DEVS 100 (FW 2021/2), MUSC 171 (W 2022), HIST 108, SPAN 111 (F 2022) and Credit standing in GEOL 106 (F 2021), PSYC 100 (FW 2021/22), FREB 106 (F 2022). The reason I am requesting these changes is because of my medical history while at Queen??s.
Attached you will find the documents that help prove my case. In my first year, November 2021, I had my first seizure at Queen??s in my residence, McNeill Hall. I have had one seizure before, but that was while I was at home in Vancouver at my highschool in grade 10. This seizure happened while exam season was right around the corner so it made it hard for me to stay academically stable, especially being across the country from my family. I was in and out of Kingston General Hospital, and was trying to get answers, however they didn??t have any for me at that time. In February of 2022, I had my 2nd seizure. I was at home for this one, it was while Queen??s was online for the pandemic, however yet again it affected how well I was doing in school. I was in and out of hospitals, getting tests, and regaining my strength. Later that month I was diagnosed with epilepsy and tried out different medications. Everytime I have a seizure it takes me time to recover and go back to my regular self. In June of 2022, I had another seizure while at home in Vancouver. I moved into a house with my friends for my 2nd year at Queen??s. It was going well until I had another seizure on December 1st, 2022 while writing a french project with my friend in her room in Kingston. Luckily I had her there so she called the paramedics and helped me through it. This one also took a lot of recovery, and my dad came out and we went home together. This affected my grades again, and I didn??t take an exam. In January of 2023, I went back to Queen??s University after winter break. I was there for about a month until I decided I needed a mental reset and came home. Just the other day (February 12th, 2023), the day after my 20th birthday, I had another seizure at home. I have been at home going to doctor appointments and trying to figure out my next steps.
Last February when I was diagnosed with epilepsy, I reached out to QSASS multiple times, and never heard anything back. From what I gathered, I was supposed to get accommodations for my diagnosis. I reached out at least three times but never got anything back.
I am in the process of formally withdrawing from Queen??s University for the winter 2023 term (January-May). I am currently in Vancouver mentally and physically resetting, and spending time with my family. While here at home, I am figuring my next academic steps and getting the medical attention and advice required so that when I return to school I am as healthy as I can be.
My doctor, Yahya Aghakhani (Director of Epilepsy Clinic, Vancouver General Hospital) is writing a letter to support my appeal.He is also happy to speak to you at any time. His phone number is 604-875-4402, epilepsy@vancouvergeneralhospital. Please let me know if there is any other documentation you would like.
Thank you for your consideration,
Blythe Schmelke-Haagenson