Petition Letter
Madeleine Moore
20074125
3635 Settlement Trail
London, ON N6P 0A7
(226) 678-0456
madeleine.moore@queensu.ca
October 31, 2021
Dr. Jill Atkinson
Associate Dean (Academic)
Queen's University
94 University Avenue
Kingston, ON K7L 3N9
(613) 533-2448 ext. 78617
asc.academic@queensu.ca
Dear Dr. Atkinson,
I am appealing for an extension of an Incomplete Grade in ENSC 483 (Winter 2022).
It is with great regret and disheartenment to undergo an acute event pertaining to a pre-existing chronic condition. I have overcome tremendous health disadvantages; Stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma, ovary failure, invasive foot reconstruction surgeries, a nearly fatal car accident, multiple sexual assaults, and a strenuous physical disability since birth, however, the greatest battle I have faced to date is the one with my mind.
I had taken an appreciable liking to the course ENSC 483 - receiving a higher-grade point than what I would normally achieve - and would often find myself going above and beyond to maintain the said average. Not to mention the fact that I had thoroughly found the course to be engaging and had a great deal of respect for the professor and the TA. I found myself on two separate occasions seeking out feedback from the course's teaching staff on how I could improve my participation and contributions to the class discussions. This tenacious attitude was particularly prevalent when preparing for the final papers. I had devoted an egregious amount of time in writing over 150 pages worth of research, outlines, academic plans, and rough drafts while utilizing academic resources provided by counsellors and outreach support collected over the years at Queen's. Despite my efforts, I was unable to complete the straightforward 2000-word assignment.
That being said, I battle a fair amount with PTSD and at the time a few particularly traumatic experiences had begun to catch up with me. It was at that point that I had a paralyzing amount of anxiety where the thought of submitting an assignment that was not up to my unattainable standards would induce a great amount of stress. In hindsight, I was undergoing great symptoms relating to my ongoing PTSD which began to manifest across my eating, sleeping, hygienic, and social aspects of living. I felt like a failure and out of control of my life.
With your help, granting this extension will allow me to not only finish these two assignments and likewise the course itself, but also allow me to finish this chapter of my life and graduate from university. I am taking the right steps towards wellness and have been working through my chronic conditions in dissuading these extenuating circumstances from interfering with school again. Moreover, I have scheduled appointments with my family doctor to discuss my underweight conditions while also opening the conversation to updating my medication dosages, as well as more frequently seeing my therapist in unpacking deep-seated traumas in self-acceptance. I deeply, deeply regret not recognizing the urgency in seeking help and want nothing more than to improve my health and get back on track.
Should my appeal be granted, I will continue to advocate support for myself by pursuing regular meetings with medical professionals and private therapists in addressing better strategies for resolving the acute, inevitable flareups found along the course of experiencing a chronic condition. Following through with this plan will support my academic goals and overall improve my mental wellness.
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and I appreciate your consideration.
Sincerely,
Madeleine Moore
20074125
3635 Settlement Trail
London, ON N6P 0A7
(226) 678-0456
madeleine.moore@queensu.ca
October 31, 2021
Dr. Jill Atkinson
Associate Dean (Academic)
Queen's University
94 University Avenue
Kingston, ON K7L 3N9
(613) 533-2448 ext. 78617
asc.academic@queensu.ca
Dear Dr. Atkinson,
I am appealing for an extension of an Incomplete Grade in ENSC 483 (Winter 2022).
It is with great regret and disheartenment to undergo an acute event pertaining to a pre-existing chronic condition. I have overcome tremendous health disadvantages; Stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma, ovary failure, invasive foot reconstruction surgeries, a nearly fatal car accident, multiple sexual assaults, and a strenuous physical disability since birth, however, the greatest battle I have faced to date is the one with my mind.
I had taken an appreciable liking to the course ENSC 483 - receiving a higher-grade point than what I would normally achieve - and would often find myself going above and beyond to maintain the said average. Not to mention the fact that I had thoroughly found the course to be engaging and had a great deal of respect for the professor and the TA. I found myself on two separate occasions seeking out feedback from the course's teaching staff on how I could improve my participation and contributions to the class discussions. This tenacious attitude was particularly prevalent when preparing for the final papers. I had devoted an egregious amount of time in writing over 150 pages worth of research, outlines, academic plans, and rough drafts while utilizing academic resources provided by counsellors and outreach support collected over the years at Queen's. Despite my efforts, I was unable to complete the straightforward 2000-word assignment.
That being said, I battle a fair amount with PTSD and at the time a few particularly traumatic experiences had begun to catch up with me. It was at that point that I had a paralyzing amount of anxiety where the thought of submitting an assignment that was not up to my unattainable standards would induce a great amount of stress. In hindsight, I was undergoing great symptoms relating to my ongoing PTSD which began to manifest across my eating, sleeping, hygienic, and social aspects of living. I felt like a failure and out of control of my life.
With your help, granting this extension will allow me to not only finish these two assignments and likewise the course itself, but also allow me to finish this chapter of my life and graduate from university. I am taking the right steps towards wellness and have been working through my chronic conditions in dissuading these extenuating circumstances from interfering with school again. Moreover, I have scheduled appointments with my family doctor to discuss my underweight conditions while also opening the conversation to updating my medication dosages, as well as more frequently seeing my therapist in unpacking deep-seated traumas in self-acceptance. I deeply, deeply regret not recognizing the urgency in seeking help and want nothing more than to improve my health and get back on track.
Should my appeal be granted, I will continue to advocate support for myself by pursuing regular meetings with medical professionals and private therapists in addressing better strategies for resolving the acute, inevitable flareups found along the course of experiencing a chronic condition. Following through with this plan will support my academic goals and overall improve my mental wellness.
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and I appreciate your consideration.
Sincerely,
Madeleine Moore