Petition Letter
Hello,
On November 23rd 2014, my father was struck with a massive brain hemorrhage, which left him in a coma. This was my first year at Queen¿¿s University and my first time living away from home. I could not think of anything but to be there with my father and family. I am the oldest son and have two younger siblings, they along with my mother needed my support and I wasted no time deferring my exams and returning home to be with them. My father¿¿s condition was very serious and the doctors were not able to give us assurances whether he would or even could improve. I returned to Queen¿¿s to try to finish the winter term but I was constantly distracted by what my family was going through without me. I struggled to finish the year without a single day I did not call home for an update as to my father and family¿¿s condition.
When I returned home for the summer, I was determined to spend as much time with my family and in the hospital as I could. I could see that the situation took a toll on my siblings and mother and I saw it my job to try to take away some of the stress that had overwhelmed the throughout this ordeal. Questions not only about the wellbeing of our father passed our minds but also questions about our future. My mother is a stay at home mom who has not worked in a very long time, with my father being the sole breadwinner in the family.
On July 12th 2015, my father passed away. Even though the doctors prepared us for this, we were still rocked when it happened. Losing your father who you depended on and thought would be there for it all is devastating. Trying to work through the grief and come to terms with what had happened was complicated by the numerous questions regarding our future that loomed over our heads. There were many meetings with a lot of confusing jargon that only made things more difficult. We barely had had enough time for ourselves as everyday there was something new to take care of it.
School was not a main focus while back in Toronto but I did receive a letter informing me that I had been placed on academic probation. I sent an appeal to someone at Queen¿¿s regarding my situation. I thought that that was all I needed to do. When I returned to Queen¿¿s University for my second year, I returned without having time to come to terms with what had transpired over the last year and constantly worried for my family¿¿s welfare. Being away from home I felt disconnected from my family and I had troubles, dealing with the emotions brought up trough returning to Queen¿¿s. I neglected to do any sort of follow up as I could barely do any schoolwork to begin with. I was struggling to focus and deal with my emotions. Finally, after long talks with my mother I scheduled a meeting with an academic advisor in order to see what could be done about my poor performance in school where she informed me of my academic probation that I had thought I had dealt with in the summer.
My family was thrusted into a very serious and complex situation that left us all changed. We are still dealing with all the repercussions that have come as a consequence of this. We could not foresee all the difficulties nor could we handle them all. Given the circumstances I am hoping that you will grant me the benefit of this appeal and allow me to put my case forward.
Aristotle Barboutsis
Student Number: 10152405
On November 23rd 2014, my father was struck with a massive brain hemorrhage, which left him in a coma. This was my first year at Queen¿¿s University and my first time living away from home. I could not think of anything but to be there with my father and family. I am the oldest son and have two younger siblings, they along with my mother needed my support and I wasted no time deferring my exams and returning home to be with them. My father¿¿s condition was very serious and the doctors were not able to give us assurances whether he would or even could improve. I returned to Queen¿¿s to try to finish the winter term but I was constantly distracted by what my family was going through without me. I struggled to finish the year without a single day I did not call home for an update as to my father and family¿¿s condition.
When I returned home for the summer, I was determined to spend as much time with my family and in the hospital as I could. I could see that the situation took a toll on my siblings and mother and I saw it my job to try to take away some of the stress that had overwhelmed the throughout this ordeal. Questions not only about the wellbeing of our father passed our minds but also questions about our future. My mother is a stay at home mom who has not worked in a very long time, with my father being the sole breadwinner in the family.
On July 12th 2015, my father passed away. Even though the doctors prepared us for this, we were still rocked when it happened. Losing your father who you depended on and thought would be there for it all is devastating. Trying to work through the grief and come to terms with what had happened was complicated by the numerous questions regarding our future that loomed over our heads. There were many meetings with a lot of confusing jargon that only made things more difficult. We barely had had enough time for ourselves as everyday there was something new to take care of it.
School was not a main focus while back in Toronto but I did receive a letter informing me that I had been placed on academic probation. I sent an appeal to someone at Queen¿¿s regarding my situation. I thought that that was all I needed to do. When I returned to Queen¿¿s University for my second year, I returned without having time to come to terms with what had transpired over the last year and constantly worried for my family¿¿s welfare. Being away from home I felt disconnected from my family and I had troubles, dealing with the emotions brought up trough returning to Queen¿¿s. I neglected to do any sort of follow up as I could barely do any schoolwork to begin with. I was struggling to focus and deal with my emotions. Finally, after long talks with my mother I scheduled a meeting with an academic advisor in order to see what could be done about my poor performance in school where she informed me of my academic probation that I had thought I had dealt with in the summer.
My family was thrusted into a very serious and complex situation that left us all changed. We are still dealing with all the repercussions that have come as a consequence of this. We could not foresee all the difficulties nor could we handle them all. Given the circumstances I am hoping that you will grant me the benefit of this appeal and allow me to put my case forward.
Aristotle Barboutsis
Student Number: 10152405