Petition Letter
Lora Marie Sanborn, Student 10007103
15 Muirdale Avenue
Toronto, ON
M9R 2V3
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Associate Dean (Studies)
Faculty of Arts and Science, Dunning Hall - First Floor
94 University Avenue
Queen's University
Kingston, ON
K7L 3N6
Subject: Waiving the 21-day appeal deadline
To the Associate Dean (Studies),
I am appealing to waive the 21-day appeal deadline so that I can submit a secondary appeal to drop a number of courses off of my transcript that I failed (Winter 2014 term: ARTH 370, PHIL 296; Summer 2014 term: ARTH 354, DEVS 100, HIST 260; Summer 2015 term: ASTR 101, and HIST 272).
The extenuating circumstances beyond my control that prevented me from addressing these issues earlier were that my diagnosed depression and anxiety issues dramatically worsened more than ever before, and continued to worsen until I started regularly seeing a cognitive behaviour therapy specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto (sessions starting around September 2015). By going to regular appointments with her, I have been finally able to successfully combat the conditions I have been struggling with, and am feeling significantly better now than I have in years. Before this I tried various medications as prescribed to me, in addition to the maximum number of sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy offered through Queen's Counselling Services, but both of these did not end up being significantly helpful.
I understand that the appeal deadline was twenty-one days after the courses ended. Regrettably, I missed this deadline because I felt too crippled by anxiety to do anything (I experienced intense panic whenever I even thought of Queen's), which fed into my depression. I also had crushing feelings of worthlessness surrounding my failures; my failed grades at Queen's translated into my failure as a person, and I did not want to trouble anyone on my behalf. It was not until after the academic drop deadline(s) had passed for the courses that I had improved enough to write, and submit this appeal.
In addition to the regular sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy, I also recently took part in the Individualized Medicine: Pharmacogenetic Assessment & Clinical Treatment (IMPACT) study run by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. The study analyzes an individual's genetics to determine how the said individual will respond to various mental health medications. Because of my participation in this study, I now am on a medication that I am proven to be best suited for, and it has made a huge difference thus far.
My treatment with cognitive behaviour therapy is ongoing, and both my therapist and myself are hopeful that I will continue to improve. I do not feel like I am depressed anymore, and while I still have anxiety, it is now manageable with the tools I have been taught and the medication I am on. Without my mental health issues constantly impacting me negatively, I fully believe that I am capable of doing well academically. I intend to continue my studies at Queen's, and am really looking forward to getting my life back on track academically speaking.
Thank-you for taking the time to read my appeal letter; I hope to hear back from you regarding the decision reached.
Sincerely,
Lora Marie Sanborn
15 Muirdale Avenue
Toronto, ON
M9R 2V3
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Associate Dean (Studies)
Faculty of Arts and Science, Dunning Hall - First Floor
94 University Avenue
Queen's University
Kingston, ON
K7L 3N6
Subject: Waiving the 21-day appeal deadline
To the Associate Dean (Studies),
I am appealing to waive the 21-day appeal deadline so that I can submit a secondary appeal to drop a number of courses off of my transcript that I failed (Winter 2014 term: ARTH 370, PHIL 296; Summer 2014 term: ARTH 354, DEVS 100, HIST 260; Summer 2015 term: ASTR 101, and HIST 272).
The extenuating circumstances beyond my control that prevented me from addressing these issues earlier were that my diagnosed depression and anxiety issues dramatically worsened more than ever before, and continued to worsen until I started regularly seeing a cognitive behaviour therapy specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto (sessions starting around September 2015). By going to regular appointments with her, I have been finally able to successfully combat the conditions I have been struggling with, and am feeling significantly better now than I have in years. Before this I tried various medications as prescribed to me, in addition to the maximum number of sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy offered through Queen's Counselling Services, but both of these did not end up being significantly helpful.
I understand that the appeal deadline was twenty-one days after the courses ended. Regrettably, I missed this deadline because I felt too crippled by anxiety to do anything (I experienced intense panic whenever I even thought of Queen's), which fed into my depression. I also had crushing feelings of worthlessness surrounding my failures; my failed grades at Queen's translated into my failure as a person, and I did not want to trouble anyone on my behalf. It was not until after the academic drop deadline(s) had passed for the courses that I had improved enough to write, and submit this appeal.
In addition to the regular sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy, I also recently took part in the Individualized Medicine: Pharmacogenetic Assessment & Clinical Treatment (IMPACT) study run by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. The study analyzes an individual's genetics to determine how the said individual will respond to various mental health medications. Because of my participation in this study, I now am on a medication that I am proven to be best suited for, and it has made a huge difference thus far.
My treatment with cognitive behaviour therapy is ongoing, and both my therapist and myself are hopeful that I will continue to improve. I do not feel like I am depressed anymore, and while I still have anxiety, it is now manageable with the tools I have been taught and the medication I am on. Without my mental health issues constantly impacting me negatively, I fully believe that I am capable of doing well academically. I intend to continue my studies at Queen's, and am really looking forward to getting my life back on track academically speaking.
Thank-you for taking the time to read my appeal letter; I hope to hear back from you regarding the decision reached.
Sincerely,
Lora Marie Sanborn