Petition Letter
To the Associate Dean (Studies):
I am respectfully requesting that you please waive the 21-day academic appeal deadline. I am requesting this appeal to be put into place in regards to the 2014 Winter semester. Of note, I am registered at the Queen¿¿s Disability Services Office and have an accommodations letter.
At the time of the appeal deadline in May, and still to this day, I struggle with two medical conditions, as well as related adverse effects. These conditions are Crohn¿¿s Disease and Major Depressive Disorder.
For my Crohn¿¿s Disease, I am on an off-label medication called Stelara, which is typically prescribed for treatment of plaque psoriasis. I have tried every other medication possible for Crohn¿¿s Disease but either had deleterious side effects or limited efficacy. Since being on Stelara, which is an immunosuppressant, I often succumb to viral infections. After my last final exam for the Winter 2014 semester, I contracted another viral illness in which I was ill until the end of May. Due to being on my medication, I cannot fight off infections quickly and this pattern of illness is quite usual for me. In addition to having increased susceptibility to contracting viral illnesses, I also suffer from anemia, which was just recently stabilized in mid-late December 2014, constipation, chronic fevers, as well as persistent gastrointestinal discomfort.
After being diagnosed with Major Depression, I did not respond to treatment right away and dosage adjustments have been necessary. I still have not reached a therapeutic dosage of medication needed for my depression due to adverse side effects. Because of a less than optimal treatment for my depression, and my other illness, I have not been fully functional; therefore I have not felt capable of writing this appeal letter within the allotted time constraints as well as until now. Of note, as of two weeks, ago, I have just been started on a new antidepressant medication.
Another issue which has plagued me during this entire time period has been significant hair loss resulting from Crohn¿¿s Disease medication. This has been an ongoing issue for me since January 2013. As a young woman, I found this quite devastating. Last Spring, as well as last Summer, was a period of marked hair loss. Losing my hair had interfered with my ability to concentrate and effectively write this appeal letter.
As a consequence of suffering from Crohn¿¿s Disease, Major Depressive Disorder, as well as various resulting side effects, I missed the 21 day appeal deadline. Having been so overcome by my own health issues at the time, I did not fully investigate or understand the various options that were available to me to rectify the issues pertaining to my academic progress and success.
As a future plan, I will continue to work closely with my Gastroenterologist in a proactive way. I plan to continue working with my Psychiatrist to achieve an optimal dosage of my antidepressant medication. I have purchased both hair extensions and a wig to help cope with the hair loss. With these personal adjustments, I am more comfortable and capable of succeeding as an undergraduate student.
Respectfully,
Danielle Palmer
I am respectfully requesting that you please waive the 21-day academic appeal deadline. I am requesting this appeal to be put into place in regards to the 2014 Winter semester. Of note, I am registered at the Queen¿¿s Disability Services Office and have an accommodations letter.
At the time of the appeal deadline in May, and still to this day, I struggle with two medical conditions, as well as related adverse effects. These conditions are Crohn¿¿s Disease and Major Depressive Disorder.
For my Crohn¿¿s Disease, I am on an off-label medication called Stelara, which is typically prescribed for treatment of plaque psoriasis. I have tried every other medication possible for Crohn¿¿s Disease but either had deleterious side effects or limited efficacy. Since being on Stelara, which is an immunosuppressant, I often succumb to viral infections. After my last final exam for the Winter 2014 semester, I contracted another viral illness in which I was ill until the end of May. Due to being on my medication, I cannot fight off infections quickly and this pattern of illness is quite usual for me. In addition to having increased susceptibility to contracting viral illnesses, I also suffer from anemia, which was just recently stabilized in mid-late December 2014, constipation, chronic fevers, as well as persistent gastrointestinal discomfort.
After being diagnosed with Major Depression, I did not respond to treatment right away and dosage adjustments have been necessary. I still have not reached a therapeutic dosage of medication needed for my depression due to adverse side effects. Because of a less than optimal treatment for my depression, and my other illness, I have not been fully functional; therefore I have not felt capable of writing this appeal letter within the allotted time constraints as well as until now. Of note, as of two weeks, ago, I have just been started on a new antidepressant medication.
Another issue which has plagued me during this entire time period has been significant hair loss resulting from Crohn¿¿s Disease medication. This has been an ongoing issue for me since January 2013. As a young woman, I found this quite devastating. Last Spring, as well as last Summer, was a period of marked hair loss. Losing my hair had interfered with my ability to concentrate and effectively write this appeal letter.
As a consequence of suffering from Crohn¿¿s Disease, Major Depressive Disorder, as well as various resulting side effects, I missed the 21 day appeal deadline. Having been so overcome by my own health issues at the time, I did not fully investigate or understand the various options that were available to me to rectify the issues pertaining to my academic progress and success.
As a future plan, I will continue to work closely with my Gastroenterologist in a proactive way. I plan to continue working with my Psychiatrist to achieve an optimal dosage of my antidepressant medication. I have purchased both hair extensions and a wig to help cope with the hair loss. With these personal adjustments, I am more comfortable and capable of succeeding as an undergraduate student.
Respectfully,
Danielle Palmer