Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2171
Submitted: May 6, 2016 at 4:42:19 AM
First Name: Kaitlyn
Last Name: Martin
Student Number: 10206441
Email: kaitlyn.martin713@gmail.com
Degree Program: BA
Plan: ENGL
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I have a complex tic disorder (commonly known as Tourette's syndrome) that I have struggled with since I was about 11 years old. My neurologist has classified my case as full blown Tourette's because of my extreme display of multiple physical and vocal tics everyday over the last 10+ years. Its characteristic waxing and waning of symptoms and intensity can make long-term planning next to impossible, and over the years I have learned that, ultimately, I have little say in how my body moves, things I do unintentionally, and how severe my tics can get.
No two cases of Tourette's is the same, and even the same person can have major changes to their tics at any given time and develop new ones with zero warning. Tourette's also comes with a host of other accompanying conditions that, like the condition itself, can pop up at any given time and wreak havoc on the individuals life. I happen to also struggle with OCD, SPD (sensory processing disorder), dyslexia, social anxiety, ADD, and bouts of depression. Every one of these conditions lives under the larger umbrella that makes up my specific case of Tourette's syndrome, and they are all connected intimately. For example, if I am doing something that upsets my OCD or SPD, (washing the dishes, touching towels or rough fabrics, touching flour, ect.) I notice a quite immediate increase in my tics. And vice versa. They are all connected, but also all independent.
I've tried to explain this in as much detail as I can because I know that Tourette's syndrome is a very misunderstood disorder that is often times mocked, or thought of as something funny that's in the movies. But I wanted to be clear about the fact that this is something that dictates (and has dictated) much of my life. Something that is immensely painful on bad days, and embarrassing and frustrating on the good days. One of my vocal tics is so violent that I tore a hole in my diaphragm that left my stomach in my chest cavity and needed surgery to repair. And I often tear/strain muscles, break things, and hit my loved ones because of my physical tics. I make the best out of it and I am able to have a wonderful life, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
One of the biggest factors in living my life with Tourette's is stress. When I am in a situation that causes me immense stress, my body responds with an onslaught of tics, and usually an increase in OCD behaviors. Never before had I tried to take on this much at once with classes and work, and within the first month of classes (Fall 2015 term) I was completely overcome by my condition. I developed several new tics that have yet to go away, and my OCD was on overdrive (counting everything multiple times, clapping 3 times all day). This started a 5 month long perfect storm of my conditions all bumping into each other and fighting for dominance that I was only recently able to get on top of. This is, by far, the most severe my Tourette's has ever been. I was shocked and scared to see how bad it was able to get and the level of debilitation it caused to every aspect of my life. I was completely unable to even contemplate doing more than the bare minimum to get by from day to day. Lite housework, laundry, bathing, grocery shopping, all became huge hurdles that requires every once of energy and concentration. Spending an ounce of mental or physical energy on school work was simply impossible
I am requesting to have the three online courses I attempted in the Fall of 2015 removed from my record, and to receive a full tuition fee refund (I will be faxing in my Tuition Fee Amendment form to Queens as well within the next several days) on the grounds that I was medically unable to complete the course work. I am also requesting to waive the 21-day appeal deadline as I was unable to secure an appointment with my neurologist to obtain the necessary doctors note until April 25th, 2016 (I will be faxing in my letter from my neurologist along with my Tuition Fee Amendment form).
I am deeply saddened that my Tourette's has forced my hand in this way. I hope that I might be able to complete my degree someday, maybe at a time when I can afford to take only once class at a time, or there is a cure for my condition. Please let me know if there is any other information required.
No two cases of Tourette's is the same, and even the same person can have major changes to their tics at any given time and develop new ones with zero warning. Tourette's also comes with a host of other accompanying conditions that, like the condition itself, can pop up at any given time and wreak havoc on the individuals life. I happen to also struggle with OCD, SPD (sensory processing disorder), dyslexia, social anxiety, ADD, and bouts of depression. Every one of these conditions lives under the larger umbrella that makes up my specific case of Tourette's syndrome, and they are all connected intimately. For example, if I am doing something that upsets my OCD or SPD, (washing the dishes, touching towels or rough fabrics, touching flour, ect.) I notice a quite immediate increase in my tics. And vice versa. They are all connected, but also all independent.
I've tried to explain this in as much detail as I can because I know that Tourette's syndrome is a very misunderstood disorder that is often times mocked, or thought of as something funny that's in the movies. But I wanted to be clear about the fact that this is something that dictates (and has dictated) much of my life. Something that is immensely painful on bad days, and embarrassing and frustrating on the good days. One of my vocal tics is so violent that I tore a hole in my diaphragm that left my stomach in my chest cavity and needed surgery to repair. And I often tear/strain muscles, break things, and hit my loved ones because of my physical tics. I make the best out of it and I am able to have a wonderful life, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
One of the biggest factors in living my life with Tourette's is stress. When I am in a situation that causes me immense stress, my body responds with an onslaught of tics, and usually an increase in OCD behaviors. Never before had I tried to take on this much at once with classes and work, and within the first month of classes (Fall 2015 term) I was completely overcome by my condition. I developed several new tics that have yet to go away, and my OCD was on overdrive (counting everything multiple times, clapping 3 times all day). This started a 5 month long perfect storm of my conditions all bumping into each other and fighting for dominance that I was only recently able to get on top of. This is, by far, the most severe my Tourette's has ever been. I was shocked and scared to see how bad it was able to get and the level of debilitation it caused to every aspect of my life. I was completely unable to even contemplate doing more than the bare minimum to get by from day to day. Lite housework, laundry, bathing, grocery shopping, all became huge hurdles that requires every once of energy and concentration. Spending an ounce of mental or physical energy on school work was simply impossible
I am requesting to have the three online courses I attempted in the Fall of 2015 removed from my record, and to receive a full tuition fee refund (I will be faxing in my Tuition Fee Amendment form to Queens as well within the next several days) on the grounds that I was medically unable to complete the course work. I am also requesting to waive the 21-day appeal deadline as I was unable to secure an appointment with my neurologist to obtain the necessary doctors note until April 25th, 2016 (I will be faxing in my letter from my neurologist along with my Tuition Fee Amendment form).
I am deeply saddened that my Tourette's has forced my hand in this way. I hope that I might be able to complete my degree someday, maybe at a time when I can afford to take only once class at a time, or there is a cure for my condition. Please let me know if there is any other information required.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: I will be faxing in a letter of conformation from my neurologist.
Documentation Detail: I will be faxing in my request for tuition fee amendment form alone with my doctors note with hope of speeding alone this process.