Manage Appeals
Petition Type: 3
ID: 3719
Submitted: August 10, 2017 at 6:11:13 PM
Relevant Petition: 3682
First Name: Colin
Last Name: McDougall
Student Number: 10104431
Email: 13cpm@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: SOCY
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: My name is Colin McDougall and my student number is 10104431. I am submitting this appeal in hopes of waiving the requirement to withdraw for one year. Throughout my time at Queen¿¿s University, I have unfortunately struggled with extenuating circumstances that have directly impacted my ability to succeed educationally. As previously noted in other appeals, I struggled with physical and psychological issues for multiple years and was eventually diagnosed with an arthritic disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. In many cases this disease ultimately compromises your ability to walk, and causes severe joint pain. The pain started around 2013 on my year off before coming to Queen¿¿s. I arrived with slight joint pain that progressively got worse and started to severely affect my ability to regularly attend lectures. Since that time, I had been burdened by continuous, excruciating pain in mainly my sacroiliac joints. For weeks at a time I was essentially living on the couch or getting carried up to my room by housemates if they were available. The symptoms would fluctuate in severity, so they would either be really bad to the point of immobility, or they would just be there looming over me. These symptoms resulted in an inconsistent attendance record at school. I would go to class whenever I could. Whenever I felt I was having a ¿¿good day¿ in terms of pain, I would attend. With that being said I always felt as though I could succeed or at least get the necessary marks to pass until I found a solution for the pain. I without a doubt should have taken the time to get a proper diagnosis rather than attempt to stay enrolled in school, not attend class, and continue the battery of testing which was to no avail. I was too stubborn to come to this realization because I thought I would still be able to succeed, hoping by the summer I¿¿d be healthy again.
The physical injuries began to take a huge mental toll on me. I was always a very active individual, high energy, lots of passion, tenacity, and an overall desire to succeed. After years of misdiagnosis, pain, and a lack of mobility - that was accompanied by a lack of success educationally - I ended up in a tough place. I wanted to be succeeding at the highest level, to my full capabilities. I was embarrassed about my grades and tired of sitting around on a couch or in bed all day. My extenuating circumstances directly effected my grades, I could hardly attend class and without truly knowing what was wrong with me I didn¿¿t see viable options for accommodations. If I were to attend class there would be a lack of attentiveness because my mind was elsewhere as it was so painful to sit in a chair for extended periods of time. This would effect my study habits and without being in a routine or going to the library, I had little drive. I couldn¿¿t find the motivation because I had nothing to keep me going, and no routine that was easy to repeat on a daily basis. I also believe that staying physically active, especially at university, is one of the most vital things for one¿¿s general well being. I was not able to go outside and then would have to try to take on massive essays without the ability to have a full understanding of the content. I quickly became anxious with work and began feeling depressed not being able to do anything. When my attendance was close to non existent for periods of time, I did not have accommodations or note takers arranged. It was just me stubbornly trying to get through the school year.
The physical injuries began to take a huge mental toll on me. I was always a very active individual, high energy, lots of passion, tenacity, and an overall desire to succeed. After years of misdiagnosis, pain, and a lack of mobility - that was accompanied by a lack of success educationally - I ended up in a tough place. I wanted to be succeeding at the highest level, to my full capabilities. I was embarrassed about my grades and tired of sitting around on a couch or in bed all day. My extenuating circumstances directly effected my grades, I could hardly attend class and without truly knowing what was wrong with me I didn¿¿t see viable options for accommodations. If I were to attend class there would be a lack of attentiveness because my mind was elsewhere as it was so painful to sit in a chair for extended periods of time. This would effect my study habits and without being in a routine or going to the library, I had little drive. I couldn¿¿t find the motivation because I had nothing to keep me going, and no routine that was easy to repeat on a daily basis. I also believe that staying physically active, especially at university, is one of the most vital things for one¿¿s general well being. I was not able to go outside and then would have to try to take on massive essays without the ability to have a full understanding of the content. I quickly became anxious with work and began feeling depressed not being able to do anything. When my attendance was close to non existent for periods of time, I did not have accommodations or note takers arranged. It was just me stubbornly trying to get through the school year.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Going through this journey and getting a final diagnosis has allowed me to move forward with the next steps in my life and focus on a plan. The focus of my studies is to exceed my own expectations. In my opinion I have yet to have a fair opportunity to succeed to my full capabilities and I want nothing more than to have that chance. I came to school to focus on getting a good education and making my friends, family and myself proud of my accomplishments. So far I have not reached any of my goals set and I feel it is from being held back. In the upcoming year I want to solely focus on my education and hard work ethic. I want to prove to everyone that I am back on track and that nothing can hold me back.
In terms of workload, I intend to always be on top of everything in order to never cause moments of stress. I would like to set up my schedule like I would for a day of work. I want to have pre-set times physically written in my schedule that will be appointed to staying on top of readings and doing assignments. I expect to have a fairly average workload with the amount of courses I¿¿ll be taking and I have no doubt in my mind that it will never become too much to handle. I am itching at the opportunity to have a routinized schedule that I can simply repeat and get used to as the start of first semester moves along.
I have many strategies for success in regards to education and life in general. Prior to finding a diagnosis I didn¿¿t have much hope and had little motivation. With a diagnosis and medication that has returned my full range of motion, I have never been more motivated in my life. I want to succeed at a high level, as aforementioned I want to exceed my own expectations of myself. I plan to have a proper sleeping schedule and have every day organized with a plan. I wish to stay active and one of my goals coming into this year was to try out and hopefully make the ultimate Frisbee team. I will study harder than I ever have and most importantly I will be physically capable of attending my classes. This will allow me to retain information learned in lecture and use that to help with my studies outside of class. Other areas I will focus on to ensure success will be using the outstanding counselling and accessibility services offered at Queen¿¿s. I am registered with the Queen¿¿s accessibility services and have seen/spoken with Jay Harris who is well aware of my current situation. The counsellor I have seen over the last two years, Chuck Vetere, has helped me out a lot, especially in the most stressful of times. If I were to be very stressed out or become anxious about not being able to handle my workload, I would meet with Dr. Vetere or Jay. I am sure that there will be no recurrences with my inability to move, but I could still meet with them by weekly or every month just to have someone to speak with and to ensure that I am still on the right path. I am more then willing to even start the semester off with regular meetings to ensure the motivation is still there. I am ready to immediately get back in the swing of things and I am overwhelmingly motivated to do so.
The resources and services at Queen¿¿s are exceptional and I plan to take full advantage of them in my upcoming time at school. In the past it was never the work load or the course content that caused a lack of success. It was extenuating circumstances that stood in the way of reaching my full potential. It is difficult to succeed when you cannot physically attend class. I know it doesn¿¿t come down to solely effort so I am willing to take any necessary steps to succeed. If I am struggling in something I will use the resources available and seek help. It comes down to proper time management skills and never breaking the routine or falling behind in courses. I am physically and mentally prepared for anything that comes my way and I know that I have a large support group that can help me get through this.
I have overcome all situational demands and it has resulted in a better, happier me. I know for sure that no physical issues related to the disease will reoccur and my doctor will confirm that. It was the inability to move that has largely attributed to my lack of success, and the inability to move for years, accompanied by poor grades, caused mental health problems. Since starting my medication I have a daily routine, I stay physically active and I am just ready to take on the world. One large telling factor of the changes I have made is the fact that I work five days a week, eight to thirteen hour shifts.
Lastly I wanted to touch on something that causes much concern on my behalf. The medication I take is very expensive and quite frankly not affordable. I am under my father¿¿s insurance until I am no longer a student but they only provide that coverage with proof of being a university student. If asked to withdraw I will no longer have the coverage and will most likely not be able to afford the medication for more than a couple months. I cannot apply for The Trillium Benefit, the government coverage, until after completing my post-secondary education. This for me, is another reason why I see returning to be vital. After about five months of being on the medication and the substantial changes it has made to my life I cannot see it being healthy going back to how I was before.
Thanks, Colin McDougall.
In terms of workload, I intend to always be on top of everything in order to never cause moments of stress. I would like to set up my schedule like I would for a day of work. I want to have pre-set times physically written in my schedule that will be appointed to staying on top of readings and doing assignments. I expect to have a fairly average workload with the amount of courses I¿¿ll be taking and I have no doubt in my mind that it will never become too much to handle. I am itching at the opportunity to have a routinized schedule that I can simply repeat and get used to as the start of first semester moves along.
I have many strategies for success in regards to education and life in general. Prior to finding a diagnosis I didn¿¿t have much hope and had little motivation. With a diagnosis and medication that has returned my full range of motion, I have never been more motivated in my life. I want to succeed at a high level, as aforementioned I want to exceed my own expectations of myself. I plan to have a proper sleeping schedule and have every day organized with a plan. I wish to stay active and one of my goals coming into this year was to try out and hopefully make the ultimate Frisbee team. I will study harder than I ever have and most importantly I will be physically capable of attending my classes. This will allow me to retain information learned in lecture and use that to help with my studies outside of class. Other areas I will focus on to ensure success will be using the outstanding counselling and accessibility services offered at Queen¿¿s. I am registered with the Queen¿¿s accessibility services and have seen/spoken with Jay Harris who is well aware of my current situation. The counsellor I have seen over the last two years, Chuck Vetere, has helped me out a lot, especially in the most stressful of times. If I were to be very stressed out or become anxious about not being able to handle my workload, I would meet with Dr. Vetere or Jay. I am sure that there will be no recurrences with my inability to move, but I could still meet with them by weekly or every month just to have someone to speak with and to ensure that I am still on the right path. I am more then willing to even start the semester off with regular meetings to ensure the motivation is still there. I am ready to immediately get back in the swing of things and I am overwhelmingly motivated to do so.
The resources and services at Queen¿¿s are exceptional and I plan to take full advantage of them in my upcoming time at school. In the past it was never the work load or the course content that caused a lack of success. It was extenuating circumstances that stood in the way of reaching my full potential. It is difficult to succeed when you cannot physically attend class. I know it doesn¿¿t come down to solely effort so I am willing to take any necessary steps to succeed. If I am struggling in something I will use the resources available and seek help. It comes down to proper time management skills and never breaking the routine or falling behind in courses. I am physically and mentally prepared for anything that comes my way and I know that I have a large support group that can help me get through this.
I have overcome all situational demands and it has resulted in a better, happier me. I know for sure that no physical issues related to the disease will reoccur and my doctor will confirm that. It was the inability to move that has largely attributed to my lack of success, and the inability to move for years, accompanied by poor grades, caused mental health problems. Since starting my medication I have a daily routine, I stay physically active and I am just ready to take on the world. One large telling factor of the changes I have made is the fact that I work five days a week, eight to thirteen hour shifts.
Lastly I wanted to touch on something that causes much concern on my behalf. The medication I take is very expensive and quite frankly not affordable. I am under my father¿¿s insurance until I am no longer a student but they only provide that coverage with proof of being a university student. If asked to withdraw I will no longer have the coverage and will most likely not be able to afford the medication for more than a couple months. I cannot apply for The Trillium Benefit, the government coverage, until after completing my post-secondary education. This for me, is another reason why I see returning to be vital. After about five months of being on the medication and the substantial changes it has made to my life I cannot see it being healthy going back to how I was before.
Thanks, Colin McDougall.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: I am supposed to get a letter form my doctor Friday, Aug 10. I will submit this immediately. It is a letter explaining the impact of my disease and the effect on school work/attendance
Decision Letters
Amendment to Appeal 3719
Relevant Petition: 3719
New Information: ¿¿¿¿
Student Number: 10104431
Documentation
Professional Letter: appeal documentation.pdf