Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Academic),
A. The Request:
My name is Zoe Belen Brown (20201711). I am a second year life sciences major who is appealing to be granted aegrotat standing for both CHEM282 and MICR221 (winter 2022) .
B. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstance:
This year has been a very mentally challenging year for me as I was diagnosed with severe depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Each day has been a struggle but with the help of medication, physicians and therapists, I was able to start to get my life somewhat on track again. Unfortunately in late April my mental health plummeted. This is when I contacted queens mental health services where I talked to a member of the mental health triage team where I decided that deferring my CHEM282 and MICR221 exams to their deferred exams period (May 12-15th) to focus on myself was the most appropriate plan for me. Not only was my body not reacting well to the medication causing heightened mood swings and depressive thoughts, I was also made aware that my Aunt was losing her battle to breast cancer - leaving her only a few more weeks to live. Additionally, I was made aware that my grandfather was having an invasive surgery where the doctors were unsure if he would heal or survive through it. It felt like my world was collapsing around me and my mind began to spiral on the night of April 27th. Alone at home, I was scared I was going to be a danger to myself so a peer took me to the KGH hospital where my medications were doubled and had talked to multiple mental health personnel.
The month of April was extremely mentally difficult for me, I just thought that the stress and anxiety of everything was making me feel off. After 5 days of a missed period, I assumed stress and potentially the rapid increase of my medications were causing my hormones to act out of line. I decided to take a pregnancy test on the night of May 3rd. When I saw the two lines appear I was in utter shock not believing that I could be pregnant. How was I to complete my schooling? I am not mentally or physically ready at this moment in my life to carry a child to term. Lucky due to the power of choice, I decided that terminating this pregnancy would be the best option. I didn't sleep for nights on end waking up in sweat terrified at the thought I would be having an invasive surgical procedure done to my body at only 19 years old without my parents there by my side knowing. I called my doctor and we arranged a visit to the Women??s college hospital- Bay Center for birth control. On May 6th I had my first appointment where I had various tests done. Due to covid I was not allowed to bring anyone with me, as I sat alone in the ultrasound room I broke down in fear as the severity of the situation was really sitting in. I then booked I actual procedure for May 20th. Choosing to terminate a pregnancy is one of the hardest decisions a woman can make in her lifetime, although I knew it was the best option for me, I also knew that the physical and mental impacts after this procedure would be large and I was very scared as my mental state was already very weak. Although my deferred exams are before the procedure I would be unable to focus and set time aside for studying. On top of the many doctor's appointments, exams, doctors and counsellor calls, each day that gets closer to May 20th the more it feels like my mind is consumed in the fact that I am having an abortion. As mentioned just at the thought that this procedure is actually occurring, I have not been able to sleep, my appetite was diminished and I am in no place to be able to study for these last two exams. Even if I were to move these two exams to later on in the summer, I do believe I would be mentally prepared to dive back into my education that fast. It will take many months, and appointments with my therapist and counsellor to adjust and cope with the mental strain of terminating a pregnancy. After the occurrence of this procedure, It is going to take multiple follow-up appointments with my family doctor and therapy meetings to figure out ways to be able to move on with my life after the fact.
CHEM282 and MICR221 are particularly affected by this extenuating circumstance as they were already deferred from the original exam period due to severe mental health struggles. Now that they are booked for May 12th and May 14th perspectively, less than a week away from the date of my surgery. I do believe I should be taking this time to relax and focus on myself as my fear, stress and anxiety will be heightened at this time making me unable to study in preparation for these last two exams.
I am kindly asking for Aegrotat standing in these courses as I believe that I will be unable to finish the work in these courses after my procedure. As previously mentioned, not only will I be busy with follow-up appointments and carrying and learning to cope with the mental impacts of a procedure like this in the leading months. The physical recovery is also going to be difficult, which includes cramping and other discomfort, bleeding and risk of infection in the coming weeks after.
C. Future Plan:
Should my appeal be granted, I will create a plan to ensure that I still achieve academic success. In hopes that I am granted Aerostat standing in these courses, I can use the rest of the summer and days leading up to the procedure to relax and mentally and physically prepare. I am already working with my family doctor to get in contact with a counsellor who specializes in young women also seeking guidance through terminating a pregnancy. Additionally, I am working with my therapist to increase my appointments to ensure I feel like I have support during this time and work alongside me to learn how to come to terms with this decision I have made.
A. The Request:
My name is Zoe Belen Brown (20201711). I am a second year life sciences major who is appealing to be granted aegrotat standing for both CHEM282 and MICR221 (winter 2022) .
B. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstance:
This year has been a very mentally challenging year for me as I was diagnosed with severe depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Each day has been a struggle but with the help of medication, physicians and therapists, I was able to start to get my life somewhat on track again. Unfortunately in late April my mental health plummeted. This is when I contacted queens mental health services where I talked to a member of the mental health triage team where I decided that deferring my CHEM282 and MICR221 exams to their deferred exams period (May 12-15th) to focus on myself was the most appropriate plan for me. Not only was my body not reacting well to the medication causing heightened mood swings and depressive thoughts, I was also made aware that my Aunt was losing her battle to breast cancer - leaving her only a few more weeks to live. Additionally, I was made aware that my grandfather was having an invasive surgery where the doctors were unsure if he would heal or survive through it. It felt like my world was collapsing around me and my mind began to spiral on the night of April 27th. Alone at home, I was scared I was going to be a danger to myself so a peer took me to the KGH hospital where my medications were doubled and had talked to multiple mental health personnel.
The month of April was extremely mentally difficult for me, I just thought that the stress and anxiety of everything was making me feel off. After 5 days of a missed period, I assumed stress and potentially the rapid increase of my medications were causing my hormones to act out of line. I decided to take a pregnancy test on the night of May 3rd. When I saw the two lines appear I was in utter shock not believing that I could be pregnant. How was I to complete my schooling? I am not mentally or physically ready at this moment in my life to carry a child to term. Lucky due to the power of choice, I decided that terminating this pregnancy would be the best option. I didn't sleep for nights on end waking up in sweat terrified at the thought I would be having an invasive surgical procedure done to my body at only 19 years old without my parents there by my side knowing. I called my doctor and we arranged a visit to the Women??s college hospital- Bay Center for birth control. On May 6th I had my first appointment where I had various tests done. Due to covid I was not allowed to bring anyone with me, as I sat alone in the ultrasound room I broke down in fear as the severity of the situation was really sitting in. I then booked I actual procedure for May 20th. Choosing to terminate a pregnancy is one of the hardest decisions a woman can make in her lifetime, although I knew it was the best option for me, I also knew that the physical and mental impacts after this procedure would be large and I was very scared as my mental state was already very weak. Although my deferred exams are before the procedure I would be unable to focus and set time aside for studying. On top of the many doctor's appointments, exams, doctors and counsellor calls, each day that gets closer to May 20th the more it feels like my mind is consumed in the fact that I am having an abortion. As mentioned just at the thought that this procedure is actually occurring, I have not been able to sleep, my appetite was diminished and I am in no place to be able to study for these last two exams. Even if I were to move these two exams to later on in the summer, I do believe I would be mentally prepared to dive back into my education that fast. It will take many months, and appointments with my therapist and counsellor to adjust and cope with the mental strain of terminating a pregnancy. After the occurrence of this procedure, It is going to take multiple follow-up appointments with my family doctor and therapy meetings to figure out ways to be able to move on with my life after the fact.
CHEM282 and MICR221 are particularly affected by this extenuating circumstance as they were already deferred from the original exam period due to severe mental health struggles. Now that they are booked for May 12th and May 14th perspectively, less than a week away from the date of my surgery. I do believe I should be taking this time to relax and focus on myself as my fear, stress and anxiety will be heightened at this time making me unable to study in preparation for these last two exams.
I am kindly asking for Aegrotat standing in these courses as I believe that I will be unable to finish the work in these courses after my procedure. As previously mentioned, not only will I be busy with follow-up appointments and carrying and learning to cope with the mental impacts of a procedure like this in the leading months. The physical recovery is also going to be difficult, which includes cramping and other discomfort, bleeding and risk of infection in the coming weeks after.
C. Future Plan:
Should my appeal be granted, I will create a plan to ensure that I still achieve academic success. In hopes that I am granted Aerostat standing in these courses, I can use the rest of the summer and days leading up to the procedure to relax and mentally and physically prepare. I am already working with my family doctor to get in contact with a counsellor who specializes in young women also seeking guidance through terminating a pregnancy. Additionally, I am working with my therapist to increase my appointments to ensure I feel like I have support during this time and work alongside me to learn how to come to terms with this decision I have made.