Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Dr. J. Hugh Horton, Associate Dean (Studies):

I am writing this appeal letter to request Aegrotat standing in ENGL 200, ENGL 349, and ENGL 387.
This school year has been mentally and physically burdening to me. On the second week of September, 2013, my close friend passed away in a car accident. The emotional and mental agony was not easy to bear, but I had managed to get back on my feet and tried my best to catch up with my work. On top of all this mental pain, I also carried the burden of chronic back injury from first year. The pain in my lower back is unbearable, but I did all I could do within my capacity as a student to continue with my studies.
However, on April 3, 2014, I suffered from pneumothorax, which was something that I had not anticipated. The main cause of pneumothorax is trauma to the chest area, which did not happen to me. Immediately, I went to see a doctor at CDK family clinic, and after initial assessment, I was rushed to the emergency room at Kingston General Hospital. After chest X-ray, blood tests, and CT scan, the doctors diagnosed me with primary spontaneous pneumothorax. None of the four doctors I met that day knows what exactly triggered the pneumothorax, but many suspect that immense amount of stress could be the cause. Because of the chest and neck pain, I was not able to breathe properly for a week. The thoracic surgeon at Kingston General Hospital prescribed pain medication for me to take in order for me to breathe properly. The subcutaneous emphysema subsided after a week, and I am able to breathe better as of now, but the chest and neck pain still remains. I am still taking medications to combat the chest pain, which still impedes proper rest and still causes shortness of breath at times. The neck pain still causes immense headache, resulting in my inability to focus.
This ongoing chest and neck pain is a cause for concern because I am vulnerable to future cases of pneumothorax. However, I am taking as much rest as I can in order to recover quickly and consulting with my father, who is a thoracic surgeon, about treatment and my recovery process. Because my case of pneumothorax is primary spontaneous, I know that with proper care, I can minimize my risk of having pneumothorax again. I plan to take more tests and examinations to monitor my health and to properly handle my stress level in order to prevent any other medical issues that will hinder my academic experience and life as a student at Queen¿¿s University.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this appeal. I truly hope that you understand my situation, and that you consider my appeal to Aegrotat standing in my courses.

Sincerely,

Chris (Dong Chan) Song