Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Academic) Stephenson,
I am writing a first level petition for my courses from Fall 2023.
Specifically, I would like to request late drops for:
SOCY301 (Fall 2023);
SOCY309 (Fall 2023); and
SOCY388 (Fall 2023).
I am also requesting credit standing for:
LLCU214.
My extenuating circumstances include a combination of family problems and my mental and physical health. Prior to the onset of these conditions, I was a Dean’s List student.
In March 2022, my father contracted Covid which turned into long Covid for him. Shortly after this he was fired from his job. His health declined steadily resulting in his total disability. This illness severely limited his physical and mental health. Directly resulting from long Covid he developed a neurological condition (Functional Neurological Disorder) and mental health problems (anxiety and depression). He struggled with activities of daily living and his ability to drive. During the fall of 2023 he was hospitalized for his mental health.
In February 2023, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was undergoing active treatment throughout the Fall 2023 term.
The concern for my parents’ health, if they would recover, and how it would affect our family made it impossible to focus on my studies. My parents have been my support system, and they weren’t available. I couldn’t focus and struggled with basic activities like grocery shopping. On a practical level, I was very worried that I wouldn’t be able to afford further studies because of the change in my parents’ income.
My family circumstances alone were enough to keep me from being able to focus on my studies. I couldn’t even think about things like drop deadlines.
In addition to my parents’ health, I was also unwell. I was suffering from extreme fatigue, issues with my executive functioning – such as planning, concentrating, processing and recalling information – headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and high anxiety symptoms. At the time it was hard to know that these were medical conditions and weren’t just due to stress from my family circumstances.
Eventually, in the summer of 2024, I was diagnosed with Graves disease, a hyperthyroid condition and I immediately started treatment. Among other things, Graves disease interferes with executing functioning and mimics anxiety. When most of my symptoms didn’t resolve despite medication, my doctors investigated further, and I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) diagnosed in autumn 2024. My family physician has stated that it started prior to 2024.
With the combination of my parents’ health, my Graves disease, and my anxiety I was unable to function. I attempted to study but was just unable to. My executive functioning made it impossible for me to consider the drop deadlines. It wasn’t until the end of term that I thought something needed to be done; however, my anxiety level was so bad that I couldn’t reach out to Queen’s. Every time I thought about taking action my anxiety level got worse. I was unable to manage stress and I was stuck in a spiral where trying to do something to help myself made it worse.
It has taken over a year for my family circumstances and health to improve but I finally think I am in a position to succeed. First, the family circumstances have improved: my dad is recovering; my mom is now cancer free and will soon be going back to work. I feel like I can once again have support from my parents. Second, with my Graves and GAD diagnosed this year, I am now under medical care for previously untreated illnesses. I am taking medication for Graves disease and migraines and have started medication and counselling for anxiety.
Now that my anxiety is better managed, I have been developing an academic plan with Support Services. I have also contacted QSAS and am waiting to hear back from them about permanent accommodations. With all of these supports in place, I feel I am in far better shape to succeed academically.
Thank you for considering my petition.
Sincerely,
Ainsley Nash
I am writing a first level petition for my courses from Fall 2023.
Specifically, I would like to request late drops for:
SOCY301 (Fall 2023);
SOCY309 (Fall 2023); and
SOCY388 (Fall 2023).
I am also requesting credit standing for:
LLCU214.
My extenuating circumstances include a combination of family problems and my mental and physical health. Prior to the onset of these conditions, I was a Dean’s List student.
In March 2022, my father contracted Covid which turned into long Covid for him. Shortly after this he was fired from his job. His health declined steadily resulting in his total disability. This illness severely limited his physical and mental health. Directly resulting from long Covid he developed a neurological condition (Functional Neurological Disorder) and mental health problems (anxiety and depression). He struggled with activities of daily living and his ability to drive. During the fall of 2023 he was hospitalized for his mental health.
In February 2023, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was undergoing active treatment throughout the Fall 2023 term.
The concern for my parents’ health, if they would recover, and how it would affect our family made it impossible to focus on my studies. My parents have been my support system, and they weren’t available. I couldn’t focus and struggled with basic activities like grocery shopping. On a practical level, I was very worried that I wouldn’t be able to afford further studies because of the change in my parents’ income.
My family circumstances alone were enough to keep me from being able to focus on my studies. I couldn’t even think about things like drop deadlines.
In addition to my parents’ health, I was also unwell. I was suffering from extreme fatigue, issues with my executive functioning – such as planning, concentrating, processing and recalling information – headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and high anxiety symptoms. At the time it was hard to know that these were medical conditions and weren’t just due to stress from my family circumstances.
Eventually, in the summer of 2024, I was diagnosed with Graves disease, a hyperthyroid condition and I immediately started treatment. Among other things, Graves disease interferes with executing functioning and mimics anxiety. When most of my symptoms didn’t resolve despite medication, my doctors investigated further, and I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) diagnosed in autumn 2024. My family physician has stated that it started prior to 2024.
With the combination of my parents’ health, my Graves disease, and my anxiety I was unable to function. I attempted to study but was just unable to. My executive functioning made it impossible for me to consider the drop deadlines. It wasn’t until the end of term that I thought something needed to be done; however, my anxiety level was so bad that I couldn’t reach out to Queen’s. Every time I thought about taking action my anxiety level got worse. I was unable to manage stress and I was stuck in a spiral where trying to do something to help myself made it worse.
It has taken over a year for my family circumstances and health to improve but I finally think I am in a position to succeed. First, the family circumstances have improved: my dad is recovering; my mom is now cancer free and will soon be going back to work. I feel like I can once again have support from my parents. Second, with my Graves and GAD diagnosed this year, I am now under medical care for previously untreated illnesses. I am taking medication for Graves disease and migraines and have started medication and counselling for anxiety.
Now that my anxiety is better managed, I have been developing an academic plan with Support Services. I have also contacted QSAS and am waiting to hear back from them about permanent accommodations. With all of these supports in place, I feel I am in far better shape to succeed academically.
Thank you for considering my petition.
Sincerely,
Ainsley Nash