Petition Letter
To Associate Dean Studies,
This has been my first semester back to school after learning that I have Bipolar Disorder. I registered with Student Accessibility Services and was on track with my doctors to ensure that I would be successful academically. I had taken two years off beforehand to try and determine the right combinations of medications and treatments so that I would be stable. It is a long a difficult process of trial and error. As I started in September I was doing quite well, and stayed that way until mid-November. I consistently was meeting with group members for projects and completing my work.
In mid-November I was the victim of a physical assault. Due to this, I became unstable and my medications needed to be adjusted, but I was unable to sleep more than three hours a night, was having panic attacks trying to back out to the outside world. Thankfully, with the help of my psychologist, psychiatrist, and family doctor I have found an equilibrium again. I have also sought out further advice through a private clinic in Florida which specializes in Bipolar Disorder.
The reason I was unable to meet with Student Accessibility services during this time was because I was sick at home going in for multiple appointments and generally trying to cope with each day after the incident. I had three outstanding final assignments that I would need an extension on so that I could attain a credit for each of these courses. Again, I had completed most of the course work.
I would also like to note that I was not comfortable talking to my professors about the assault, and was processing each day as it came. I understand that this process needs to be fair to every student, and thus is why I have disclosed this, as it interfered with my ability to communicate in all aspects, especially with academic coordinators.
I am elated to be back at Queen's and I would like to prove my academic potential.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. It is greatly appreciated,
Kate Pereira
This has been my first semester back to school after learning that I have Bipolar Disorder. I registered with Student Accessibility Services and was on track with my doctors to ensure that I would be successful academically. I had taken two years off beforehand to try and determine the right combinations of medications and treatments so that I would be stable. It is a long a difficult process of trial and error. As I started in September I was doing quite well, and stayed that way until mid-November. I consistently was meeting with group members for projects and completing my work.
In mid-November I was the victim of a physical assault. Due to this, I became unstable and my medications needed to be adjusted, but I was unable to sleep more than three hours a night, was having panic attacks trying to back out to the outside world. Thankfully, with the help of my psychologist, psychiatrist, and family doctor I have found an equilibrium again. I have also sought out further advice through a private clinic in Florida which specializes in Bipolar Disorder.
The reason I was unable to meet with Student Accessibility services during this time was because I was sick at home going in for multiple appointments and generally trying to cope with each day after the incident. I had three outstanding final assignments that I would need an extension on so that I could attain a credit for each of these courses. Again, I had completed most of the course work.
I would also like to note that I was not comfortable talking to my professors about the assault, and was processing each day as it came. I understand that this process needs to be fair to every student, and thus is why I have disclosed this, as it interfered with my ability to communicate in all aspects, especially with academic coordinators.
I am elated to be back at Queen's and I would like to prove my academic potential.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. It is greatly appreciated,
Kate Pereira