Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Academic) Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to formally request to drop courses after the academic deadline for Fall 2022 to Summer 2023. This past summer I appealed the requirement to withdrawal for one year. That appeal was declined, and I now recognize that I did not adequately convey the specifics of how my family circumstances continued to impact the past academic year (Fall 2022 to Summer 2023).
Over the past year, my family has gone through several health issues which have had a profound effect on my emotional well-being and, consequently, my academic responsibilities. Firstly, in March 2022, my younger brother, who has been battling a debilitating kidney condition, underwent a kidney transplant alongside my father. My brother and father had successful transplant surgery, but the process is fraught with uncertainty, as kidney transplant rejection is a real possibility for at least a year post-transplant. The perpetual concern for my brother's health created an enduring source of anxiety for my entire family.
As a result, over the last year (April 2022 onward), I have been present at home as much as possible to provide the emotional support that my brother needs during his recovery. With both my father and my brother in recovery for several months, my mother needed an extra pair of hands. For example, because my brother does not have a driver’s license, I was frequently there to bring him to his appointments and tests. Furthermore, my grandmother, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2023. Her diagnosis and subsequent treatments have caused significant distress within our family, as we all rally to support her through this difficult time. Balancing my academic responsibilities with the emotional and practical aspects of these situations has proved to be an overwhelming challenge.
The toll of these situations on my mental health has been considerable, making it increasingly difficult for me to concentrate on my studies and perform at the level that I know I am capable of. I tried to assume the responsibility of accompanying him to numerous medical appointments, ensuring he adhered to his strict post-transplant regimen, and providing the emotional support he needed during this challenging time, but this took a toll on my own mental health. I lost focus on school, missed many assignments, and got so far behind in classes that I could not possibly recover.
What exacerbated the situation was my belief that I needed to handle my own problems silently. I convinced myself that my struggles were comparatively minor when juxtaposed with the life-altering experiences of my brother and grandmother. Consequently, I withdrew into a shell, attempting to shield my family from any additional stress or worry. I kept taking classes and moving forward in order to hide my issues from my family. My approach, however well-intentioned, ultimately had adverse effects on my mental health and academic performance. My inability to acknowledge my own emotional struggles, coupled with my attempts to downplay them, led to a steady decline in my well-being. I found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on my studies, my motivation waned, and my grades began to suffer.
Looking forward, my brother has made it past the initial threshold for early kidney rejection and his health situation has stabilized. My grandmothers’ as well after going through her initial surgery and treatment. Being required to withdraw for a year has been an eye-opening process as I am learning that sharing my burdens with trusted family members can be a crucial step in maintaining both my emotional well-being and my academic progress. Just having my family know about my situation has lifted a huge burden and is a large change from a year ago. Moving forward, I am committed to addressing my mental health and actively seeking the necessary support to navigate these tough times effectively.
I have attached some documents to this appeal as supporting evidence to complement my appeal:
- a document from the Ottawa Hospital outlining the amount of testing and hospital visits my brother had to go through for the year following his transplant,
- a text exchange between my father and my aunt on the topic of my grandmother’s cancer diagnosis,
- a photo of showcasing one of the many times I was home during the school year,
- a letter from my father about my situation.
Your assistance and understanding during this trying time would mean a great deal to me, as I am eager to regain my academic footing with a newfound determination when I come back to Queen’s University.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Daniel Lambert
I am writing to formally request to drop courses after the academic deadline for Fall 2022 to Summer 2023. This past summer I appealed the requirement to withdrawal for one year. That appeal was declined, and I now recognize that I did not adequately convey the specifics of how my family circumstances continued to impact the past academic year (Fall 2022 to Summer 2023).
Over the past year, my family has gone through several health issues which have had a profound effect on my emotional well-being and, consequently, my academic responsibilities. Firstly, in March 2022, my younger brother, who has been battling a debilitating kidney condition, underwent a kidney transplant alongside my father. My brother and father had successful transplant surgery, but the process is fraught with uncertainty, as kidney transplant rejection is a real possibility for at least a year post-transplant. The perpetual concern for my brother's health created an enduring source of anxiety for my entire family.
As a result, over the last year (April 2022 onward), I have been present at home as much as possible to provide the emotional support that my brother needs during his recovery. With both my father and my brother in recovery for several months, my mother needed an extra pair of hands. For example, because my brother does not have a driver’s license, I was frequently there to bring him to his appointments and tests. Furthermore, my grandmother, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2023. Her diagnosis and subsequent treatments have caused significant distress within our family, as we all rally to support her through this difficult time. Balancing my academic responsibilities with the emotional and practical aspects of these situations has proved to be an overwhelming challenge.
The toll of these situations on my mental health has been considerable, making it increasingly difficult for me to concentrate on my studies and perform at the level that I know I am capable of. I tried to assume the responsibility of accompanying him to numerous medical appointments, ensuring he adhered to his strict post-transplant regimen, and providing the emotional support he needed during this challenging time, but this took a toll on my own mental health. I lost focus on school, missed many assignments, and got so far behind in classes that I could not possibly recover.
What exacerbated the situation was my belief that I needed to handle my own problems silently. I convinced myself that my struggles were comparatively minor when juxtaposed with the life-altering experiences of my brother and grandmother. Consequently, I withdrew into a shell, attempting to shield my family from any additional stress or worry. I kept taking classes and moving forward in order to hide my issues from my family. My approach, however well-intentioned, ultimately had adverse effects on my mental health and academic performance. My inability to acknowledge my own emotional struggles, coupled with my attempts to downplay them, led to a steady decline in my well-being. I found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on my studies, my motivation waned, and my grades began to suffer.
Looking forward, my brother has made it past the initial threshold for early kidney rejection and his health situation has stabilized. My grandmothers’ as well after going through her initial surgery and treatment. Being required to withdraw for a year has been an eye-opening process as I am learning that sharing my burdens with trusted family members can be a crucial step in maintaining both my emotional well-being and my academic progress. Just having my family know about my situation has lifted a huge burden and is a large change from a year ago. Moving forward, I am committed to addressing my mental health and actively seeking the necessary support to navigate these tough times effectively.
I have attached some documents to this appeal as supporting evidence to complement my appeal:
- a document from the Ottawa Hospital outlining the amount of testing and hospital visits my brother had to go through for the year following his transplant,
- a text exchange between my father and my aunt on the topic of my grandmother’s cancer diagnosis,
- a photo of showcasing one of the many times I was home during the school year,
- a letter from my father about my situation.
Your assistance and understanding during this trying time would mean a great deal to me, as I am eager to regain my academic footing with a newfound determination when I come back to Queen’s University.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Daniel Lambert