Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Academic) Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to appeal my academic withdraw from the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s University. I am writing in hope that you will reinstate me for the upcoming Fall semester. Thank you for allowing me to explain my circumstance.
In the summer of 2021, my family discovered that my younger brother John’s kidney disease Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) had progressed to the point where we should start the process for a living kidney donation. May 7th, 2021, my father, and I started the living kidney donor testing process to see if we were eligible to donate our kidneys. My mother had already been ruled out as she has had several kidney stones throughout her life. Throughout the summer and fall semester my father and I went through several rounds of testing including blood samples, urine samples, chest XR’s, electrocardiograms, renal scans, CT scans, Holter monitors and more.
At the beginning of the process the Living Kidney Donor Program favored my father’s kidney because as a result of my young age there were some risks involved with me living with one kidney for an estimated 60+ years compared to my father’s estimate 30+. This changed in September 2021 when it was discovered that my father has the Epstein-Barr virus which is found in 90% of the population worldwide but my brother and I were both negative. The risk involved in the difference in Epstein-Barr virus between the donor and recipient outweighed the risk of my young age, so the Living Kidney Donor Program switched their preference to me. From this point I began to prepare myself mentally for the surgery, recovery, the changes involved in living with one kidney and the possibility the kidney is rejected. On November 19th, 2021, this all changed when in one of my last tests before I would be accepted as a kidney donor, they discovered in a CT scan that I had begun developing a single kidney stone in my left kidney. This became a large issue as the left kidney is the preferred kidney as it is easier to transplant since it has a longer renal vein. I underwent a few more tests to confirm the issue then I was subsequently rejected by the program.
The rejection from the living kidney transplant program had a profound impact on my mental well-being. Having eagerly volunteered to donate my kidney to my brother, who has looked up to me his whole life, I was full of hope and had many expectations on how the whole process would go. The evaluation process and being so close to being accepted intensified the emotional stakes. However, the dashed hopes and unmet expectations following being rejected led to profound disappointment and helplessness engulfed me in a state of desolation, fueling the onset of depression. I was stuck in an odd circumstance in which I did not want to tell anyone since my brother was the one facing the real issues and not myself. Feelings of guilt took center stage. The weight of this guilt further spiraled me into a perpetual cycle of self-doubt and diminished self-esteem that eroded my sense of purpose and identity. The weight of the burden seemed too heavy to share, I was too embarrassed. In my nature as an introvert this led me to self-imposed solitude and compulsive lying to hide my issues. These overwhelming emotions had severely impacted my concentration, motivation, and overall mental well-being, and hindered my ability to perform at the academic level expected of me. I understand now that I should have communicated properly with someone or even taken a leave of absence. I thought I could handle these burdens alone; I was wrong.
While I understand the university's policies and regulations regarding academic progress, I kindly request for your understanding and compassion in recognizing the extraordinary circumstances I have encountered. I firmly believe that granting a waiver to continue my studies at Queen’s University would not only serve as a source of relief but also allow me to rebuild my academic trajectory while addressing my emotional well-being.
In April I started to make great strides in a plan aimed at achieving academic success and breaking free from the shackles of depression. I feel as though I have started to regain control, relief and find renewed motivation for personal growth. I have taken several proactive steps towards seeking support and recovery. I have reached out and opened up to family and friends for understanding, guidance, and support. I have implemented various self-care practices, including regular exercise, and a balanced lifestyle, to regain my emotional resilience and stability. I have also started the process to find a licensed mental health professional to talk to this summer by reaching out to clinics in my hometown. I have implemented various routines to ensure academic success of the three courses I am taking this summer. I have been creating daily schedules to stay on top off schoolwork and allocate time for studying, relaxation, physical activity and others. Going forward I am willing to work closely with academic advisors, counselors, or any other appropriate department to ensure my academic progress while addressing my mental health needs. I am very confident now with my progress and my ability to excel academically and find balance mentally.
I would be immensely grateful if the university could consider my appeal request of the requirement to withdraw for one year, allowing me to continue my studies without interruption. Your support and understanding during this pivotal time would provide me with the opportunity to regain my academic momentum and successfully contribute to the university community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would be more than willing to discuss my situation further or provide any additional information you may require. I have attached several documents from the Living Kidney Donation Program. I eagerly await a positive response, and I remain hopeful that the university will consider my request favorably.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Lambert
I am writing to appeal my academic withdraw from the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s University. I am writing in hope that you will reinstate me for the upcoming Fall semester. Thank you for allowing me to explain my circumstance.
In the summer of 2021, my family discovered that my younger brother John’s kidney disease Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) had progressed to the point where we should start the process for a living kidney donation. May 7th, 2021, my father, and I started the living kidney donor testing process to see if we were eligible to donate our kidneys. My mother had already been ruled out as she has had several kidney stones throughout her life. Throughout the summer and fall semester my father and I went through several rounds of testing including blood samples, urine samples, chest XR’s, electrocardiograms, renal scans, CT scans, Holter monitors and more.
At the beginning of the process the Living Kidney Donor Program favored my father’s kidney because as a result of my young age there were some risks involved with me living with one kidney for an estimated 60+ years compared to my father’s estimate 30+. This changed in September 2021 when it was discovered that my father has the Epstein-Barr virus which is found in 90% of the population worldwide but my brother and I were both negative. The risk involved in the difference in Epstein-Barr virus between the donor and recipient outweighed the risk of my young age, so the Living Kidney Donor Program switched their preference to me. From this point I began to prepare myself mentally for the surgery, recovery, the changes involved in living with one kidney and the possibility the kidney is rejected. On November 19th, 2021, this all changed when in one of my last tests before I would be accepted as a kidney donor, they discovered in a CT scan that I had begun developing a single kidney stone in my left kidney. This became a large issue as the left kidney is the preferred kidney as it is easier to transplant since it has a longer renal vein. I underwent a few more tests to confirm the issue then I was subsequently rejected by the program.
The rejection from the living kidney transplant program had a profound impact on my mental well-being. Having eagerly volunteered to donate my kidney to my brother, who has looked up to me his whole life, I was full of hope and had many expectations on how the whole process would go. The evaluation process and being so close to being accepted intensified the emotional stakes. However, the dashed hopes and unmet expectations following being rejected led to profound disappointment and helplessness engulfed me in a state of desolation, fueling the onset of depression. I was stuck in an odd circumstance in which I did not want to tell anyone since my brother was the one facing the real issues and not myself. Feelings of guilt took center stage. The weight of this guilt further spiraled me into a perpetual cycle of self-doubt and diminished self-esteem that eroded my sense of purpose and identity. The weight of the burden seemed too heavy to share, I was too embarrassed. In my nature as an introvert this led me to self-imposed solitude and compulsive lying to hide my issues. These overwhelming emotions had severely impacted my concentration, motivation, and overall mental well-being, and hindered my ability to perform at the academic level expected of me. I understand now that I should have communicated properly with someone or even taken a leave of absence. I thought I could handle these burdens alone; I was wrong.
While I understand the university's policies and regulations regarding academic progress, I kindly request for your understanding and compassion in recognizing the extraordinary circumstances I have encountered. I firmly believe that granting a waiver to continue my studies at Queen’s University would not only serve as a source of relief but also allow me to rebuild my academic trajectory while addressing my emotional well-being.
In April I started to make great strides in a plan aimed at achieving academic success and breaking free from the shackles of depression. I feel as though I have started to regain control, relief and find renewed motivation for personal growth. I have taken several proactive steps towards seeking support and recovery. I have reached out and opened up to family and friends for understanding, guidance, and support. I have implemented various self-care practices, including regular exercise, and a balanced lifestyle, to regain my emotional resilience and stability. I have also started the process to find a licensed mental health professional to talk to this summer by reaching out to clinics in my hometown. I have implemented various routines to ensure academic success of the three courses I am taking this summer. I have been creating daily schedules to stay on top off schoolwork and allocate time for studying, relaxation, physical activity and others. Going forward I am willing to work closely with academic advisors, counselors, or any other appropriate department to ensure my academic progress while addressing my mental health needs. I am very confident now with my progress and my ability to excel academically and find balance mentally.
I would be immensely grateful if the university could consider my appeal request of the requirement to withdraw for one year, allowing me to continue my studies without interruption. Your support and understanding during this pivotal time would provide me with the opportunity to regain my academic momentum and successfully contribute to the university community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would be more than willing to discuss my situation further or provide any additional information you may require. I have attached several documents from the Living Kidney Donation Program. I eagerly await a positive response, and I remain hopeful that the university will consider my request favorably.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Lambert