Petition Letter
Dear Dr. Johanne Bénard,
I am writing this letter to respectfully request permission to submit an academic appeal past the allotted 21-day period that begins upon final grades being posted; an appeal that would formally request I be able to receive credit standings for courses from first year, a previous academic term (Winter 2016). In addition I would like to submit an academic appeal for this most recent academic term (Fall 2016), to formally request permission to drop CHEM 281 and STAT 263 past the academic deadline.
I request such an appeal be granted so as to prevent me from being reprimanded for extenuating circumstances beyond my control. I suffer from a generally misunderstood anxiety disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which renders me unable to perform certain daily tasks with which other people see no issue. I had internalized it for many years out of stubbornness and even shame but finally sought out treatment and aid a few years back, as I reached a threshold at which I could no longer cope on my own. While I am significantly better off than where I was before, and continually improving, my disorder continues to seize hours of my day and virtually all my capacity to think.
Of course, upon reviewing my grades at the end of the Winter 2016 term, I acknowledged the severity of the situation and knew to take increasingly significant measures in order to better manage my condition, as my degree of treatment, and assessment of my capacity to perform adequately under aforementioned circumstances, at the time was evidently not sufficient. I decided I would appeal my grades upon knowing I could perform closer to the best of my ability once again.
As such, I decided to intensely engage in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a well-known psychologist, Dr. Mendlowitz, over the course of the summer. I made significant progress, however the therapy was discontinued due to her falling very ill between sessions and her having to cease working for several months. I am in the process in arranging resumption of this treatment as soon as possible, likely for May 2017. Nevertheless I am deciding to attempt to appeal my grades now, as I have discovered, that I can indeed perform quite close to my full capabilities once again, evident in how well I had been doing in September and early October of 2016. It was thus impossible for me to submit my request before this semester. I had a lapse around mid-October and subsequently fell behind, and with my extensive workload was unable to catch up. I was not equipped with all the tools and strength I was to receive upon completion of my CBT, which ensures I am able to better combat any potential lapses that may impede my academic performance.
I have received accommodations to help me cope with the permanent ever-present aspect of the condition, but upon my condition being exacerbated, these aids are unfortunately rendered to be inadequate academic compensations.
While I have been told there will likely never be a way to ever be rid of this disorder, I have been assured that a combination of medication, intense CBT, and determination will give me the tools to effectively fight my condition daily and live a relatively normal life. Until Dr. Mendlowitz and I are able to restart our sessions, as a temporary solution I promise to allow myself a transitive semester whereby I take a reduced course load, and finally take the time to gradually ease into university life.
I am thankful for this revelation, and even recognise that I could not do this without the supportive institution, Queen's University, in which I am thankfully situated.
I am currently trying to obtain updated documentation from my treating psychiatrist, Dr. Bolous, however she is currently on holidays. I have tried to attach prior documentation from Dr. Bolous, already submitted and on-file in the accessibility office at Queen's, however the system will not allow me to upload anything. Please contact me, if needed, for further documentation.
I thank you many times over for your valuable time,
Sincerely,
Shannon Lao
I am writing this letter to respectfully request permission to submit an academic appeal past the allotted 21-day period that begins upon final grades being posted; an appeal that would formally request I be able to receive credit standings for courses from first year, a previous academic term (Winter 2016). In addition I would like to submit an academic appeal for this most recent academic term (Fall 2016), to formally request permission to drop CHEM 281 and STAT 263 past the academic deadline.
I request such an appeal be granted so as to prevent me from being reprimanded for extenuating circumstances beyond my control. I suffer from a generally misunderstood anxiety disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which renders me unable to perform certain daily tasks with which other people see no issue. I had internalized it for many years out of stubbornness and even shame but finally sought out treatment and aid a few years back, as I reached a threshold at which I could no longer cope on my own. While I am significantly better off than where I was before, and continually improving, my disorder continues to seize hours of my day and virtually all my capacity to think.
Of course, upon reviewing my grades at the end of the Winter 2016 term, I acknowledged the severity of the situation and knew to take increasingly significant measures in order to better manage my condition, as my degree of treatment, and assessment of my capacity to perform adequately under aforementioned circumstances, at the time was evidently not sufficient. I decided I would appeal my grades upon knowing I could perform closer to the best of my ability once again.
As such, I decided to intensely engage in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a well-known psychologist, Dr. Mendlowitz, over the course of the summer. I made significant progress, however the therapy was discontinued due to her falling very ill between sessions and her having to cease working for several months. I am in the process in arranging resumption of this treatment as soon as possible, likely for May 2017. Nevertheless I am deciding to attempt to appeal my grades now, as I have discovered, that I can indeed perform quite close to my full capabilities once again, evident in how well I had been doing in September and early October of 2016. It was thus impossible for me to submit my request before this semester. I had a lapse around mid-October and subsequently fell behind, and with my extensive workload was unable to catch up. I was not equipped with all the tools and strength I was to receive upon completion of my CBT, which ensures I am able to better combat any potential lapses that may impede my academic performance.
I have received accommodations to help me cope with the permanent ever-present aspect of the condition, but upon my condition being exacerbated, these aids are unfortunately rendered to be inadequate academic compensations.
While I have been told there will likely never be a way to ever be rid of this disorder, I have been assured that a combination of medication, intense CBT, and determination will give me the tools to effectively fight my condition daily and live a relatively normal life. Until Dr. Mendlowitz and I are able to restart our sessions, as a temporary solution I promise to allow myself a transitive semester whereby I take a reduced course load, and finally take the time to gradually ease into university life.
I am thankful for this revelation, and even recognise that I could not do this without the supportive institution, Queen's University, in which I am thankfully situated.
I am currently trying to obtain updated documentation from my treating psychiatrist, Dr. Bolous, however she is currently on holidays. I have tried to attach prior documentation from Dr. Bolous, already submitted and on-file in the accessibility office at Queen's, however the system will not allow me to upload anything. Please contact me, if needed, for further documentation.
I thank you many times over for your valuable time,
Sincerely,
Shannon Lao