Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
RE: APPEAL TO DROP COURSE
1. PSYC 333 Human Sexuality

I am writing this appeal both to drop the above course and to maintain my academic record by removing it from my transcript. I was advised to defer by my professor but this course is neither available next term nor do I know whether I will have recovered from the medical conditions and impediments that have put a halt to my studies half way through. I previously appealed to you last term (a letter which I will paste at the bottom for reference). This was as a result of complications from surgeries which resulted in what was then believed to be frozen shoulder ¿¿ and the total loss of use of my right hand, arm and shoulder halfway down my back. This condition, if diagnosed correctly would have resolved itself within 6 weeks. It is only now coming back to full mobility and remains to recover its full strength, a full 4 months later.
As a result of the initial diagnosis, I endeavoured to continue with the PSYC 333 course in the fall, believing that it was a small issue. In October I lost the use of my left hand and arm, though It is now restricted to my hand and forearm. There is no sensation in the hand. For this reason I returned to the place of my last neurosurgery (St Mary¿¿s Hospital, outpatients Neurosurgery). From my August brain scans the consultant could neither explain what happened to my right arm nor what is currently occurring with my left. A return of some symptoms evident between my first and second surgeries prompted him to do immediate brain scans, the first of which happens this week. I have scanned the appointment letter for this and a letter I asked the consultant to write to my GP surgery for the benefit of Queen¿¿s appeals (also scanned). He has also referred me to Neurology for nerve sensitivity tests ¿¿ for which I have not yet received the appointment letter (as it is to happen in December), but which I am happy to forward to you upon arrival. My GP has also offered to write a letter to you if necessary.
Though the idea of deferring until next term (though it would be a different PSYC course) appeals to me greatly, I have no way of knowing what the results of the upcoming rests will be and how quickly I will recover the use of my left hand. While voice recognition can do a lot, it is unable to do some of the things required to complete the activities of the courses. For this reason, and to avoid having to write a similar letter to you next term, I am also respectfully asking for a refund on this course so that I may make the payment on the correct term ¿¿ whether it be winter or summer (another PSYC course is available then as well).
I do apologise for all the inconvenience of going back and forth, but I am starting to understand the nature of brain surgeries and their aftermath and am lucky that I am still in a position to be able to contemplate these academic possibilities before me.
Thank you for your understanding of the situation. Any further documentation or contact information you require I will happily provide. Please take note of my next of kin who may be contacted for the same reasons. Neil Marshall has access to my Queens accounts in the event of my admission ¿¿ his email is neilm@consono.co.uk
Regards
Winnie Wanyeki (0404-4068).

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See below for previous appeal and explanation of medical condition:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
RE: APPEAL TO DROP COURSES
1. HIST 207 Global Indigenous Histories
2. PSYC 370 Brain and Behaviour II

I am writing this appeal both to drop the two above courses and to maintain my academic record by removing the two F grades currently on my transcript.

The circumstances surrounding the challenges I faced during the summer term are as follows. In April 2014 I was in a hit and run accident as a pedestrian. The main condition treated was initially a right acute subdural haematoma. The most invasive procedure was a right frontoparieto-temporal craniotomy for evacuation of the acute subdural haematoma. I was initially taken to the Royal Free Hospital in NW3 London, intubated and ventilated. I was then blue lighted to the primary hospital in London for Neurosurgical procedures, the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel E1 London, where an immediate CT and emergency surgery was first performed. I was then put into induced coma, revived and then kept inpatient for three weeks while friends and family (who flew over) supported me. During this period I developed epileptic fits, initially occurring at a rate of 40 of the time each day. This was managed by high doses of Phenytoin and Levotiracepam (Keppra) which I am to maintain until the brain has healed.
At first I believed I could power through the courses, and appealed to my professors to allow me to try (sending both the medical notes attached). Though they were reluctant and thought I should focus on recovery, I was determined to complete the work I set out to do with Queen¿¿s and still consider myself to be a dedicated student despite the challenges that have come my way. What I was unaware of at that time was that a large pustule was growing in the back region of my brain ¿¿ the full details of which I have requested through a central office at the hospital that I was eventually admitted to in June. I realised the severity of the symptoms suddenly in the early morning and made my way to the closest friend who could help at 3am. I was losing control of certain faculties.
In June 2014 I was admitted to St. Mary¿¿s Hospital, Paddington W2 London. Again I had care from friends and someone flew over from the US for the duration of the next set of procedures. Another set of CT scans, craniotomy and Burr holes were used relieve the swelling and revealed the pustule (approximately the size of a tennis ball) was attached to my brain tissue and therefore could not be surgically removed. A longer stay with heavy medication followed as the neurosurgeons tried to shrink its size.
I will attach the supporting medical documentation which may be verified by calling the number of my GP, Dr. Rosenfelder (shown on the letters attached) or any of the aforementioned hospitals in London where I was treated.

Post discharge I took a week or so to recuperate but kept my academic advisor, David Youssef in the loop with the help of Neil Marshall, my next of kin, who also has access to all my Queen¿¿s accounts and server. David, I believe, has copies of the letters I will attach with this appeal. At this stage we were trying to find a way to remove me from the courses so that I would not have to undergo a formal appeal process which requires more time.
Not long after Neil and I re-established contact with David, I lost control of my right (dominant) arm, shoulder and hand which became completely immobile and extremely swollen. By the end of July I was back in hospital on a ventilator again. As my veins had collapsed after the second lot of surgeries in June they changed my regime to oral medication only used in extreme circumstances. The medication was too strong for my (then 88 pound) frame. The nerve and tendon damage caused by the change in medication made it difficult for me to take all the prescribed medications, causing the final admission. On the 9th of August I was finally discharged (without full recovery of the arm). Today I now have full use of my fingers and can raise my dominant arm above my head, though it is still healing.
I discovered on the 16th August (through David Youssef) that my easiest route at this stage would be to appeal in order to maintain my grade point average and my academic integrity.
I am keen to get back into my professional work as well as returning to part time study with Queen¿¿s in the fall.
I realise that this is a long letter and it has been a protracted road for me. I appreciate your consideration for all the complex factors that came into play. I have been told I am unusually lucky to have perfectly functioning organs after my last serum tests were done a week ago. I was told I also have a fully functioning brain after the TBI I endured. My last CT a few weeks ago shows the pustule has gone. I look forward to making to most of my recovery.

Sincerely

Winnie Wanyeki
(Student no. 0404-4068)