Petition Letter
I am appealing to take third and fourth year courses on a letter of permission through the University of Calgary.
After being tremendously ill for many months, I was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in December of 2014. I have battled endlessly with my illness from this point, seeking countless specialist doctors and trialing several unsuccessful medications. After a year, my symptoms progressed to an unmanageable state, in which I was in constant pain and discomfort, losing an obscene amount of blood, and I was unable to properly attend classes or complete my work. After returning to school in January 2016 after winter break, I quickly came to the realization that not only was I unable to get healthy whilst attempting to complete my degree, but that it was imperative that I take time away from school to focus on healing. I have since moved back to Calgary to take the Winter 2016 semester off, and to begin a new treatment called Entyvio. Entyvio is a biologic drug administered intravenously every eight weeks, and is often prescribed after all alternative oral medications have failed. This drug has thus far proven to be effective.
Ulcerative Colitis has made academic success difficult, if not impossible. I am faced with constant exhaustion and lethargies, and ongoing pain and discomfort. Further, with an irritable bowel disorder comes spontaneous and urgent bathroom breaks, which disrupt my studies, cut into exam time, and create difficulty focusing. I have always been a high-achieving student, with an immense drive to succeed and a true passion for a career in the field of psychology. If I were to continue my studies at Queen¿¿s University whilst still ill, I do not believe I would be able to achieve the grades that I would need in order to pursue the renowned graduate programs I look forward to attending.
After being tremendously ill for many months, I was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in December of 2014. I have battled endlessly with my illness from this point, seeking countless specialist doctors and trialing several unsuccessful medications. After a year, my symptoms progressed to an unmanageable state, in which I was in constant pain and discomfort, losing an obscene amount of blood, and I was unable to properly attend classes or complete my work. After returning to school in January 2016 after winter break, I quickly came to the realization that not only was I unable to get healthy whilst attempting to complete my degree, but that it was imperative that I take time away from school to focus on healing. I have since moved back to Calgary to take the Winter 2016 semester off, and to begin a new treatment called Entyvio. Entyvio is a biologic drug administered intravenously every eight weeks, and is often prescribed after all alternative oral medications have failed. This drug has thus far proven to be effective.
Ulcerative Colitis has made academic success difficult, if not impossible. I am faced with constant exhaustion and lethargies, and ongoing pain and discomfort. Further, with an irritable bowel disorder comes spontaneous and urgent bathroom breaks, which disrupt my studies, cut into exam time, and create difficulty focusing. I have always been a high-achieving student, with an immense drive to succeed and a true passion for a career in the field of psychology. If I were to continue my studies at Queen¿¿s University whilst still ill, I do not believe I would be able to achieve the grades that I would need in order to pursue the renowned graduate programs I look forward to attending.