Kamis, 21 Juni 2012

Breastless cancer survivor told she cannot swim topless in public pool

Breastless cancer survivor told she cannot swim topless in public pool

By Olivia Fleming

PUBLISHED: 11:50 EST, 21 June 2012 | UPDATED: 15:14 EST, 21 June 2012

A woman who survived breast cancer after a double mastectomy was banned from swimming topless at her public pool.

Fellow swimmers were outraged by the decision made by Seattle Parks and Recreation department, which refused to let Jodi Jaecks swim topless - despite the nerve pain she suffers across her chest and neck.

After telling the 45-year-old that her bare chest would disrupt the family-friendly environment, a public outcry led the parks department to reverse its controversial decision, allowing her to swim wearing only her shorts.

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Swimming ban: The Seattle Parks and Recreation department has refused to let Jodie Jaeck, 45, swim topless, despite suffering from nerve pain across her chest and neck

Swimming ban: The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department has refused to let Jodi Jaecks, 45, swim topless despite suffering from nerve pain

Ms Jaecks, a lifelong athlete, said she wanted to reclaim her fitness at the Medgar Evers Pool in central Seattle after months of debilitating cancer treatments.

She underwent a double mastectomy in 2011 which left her flat-chested, with two thin scars where her nipples once lay.

However, post-mastectomy swimsuits, which often contain extra material to allow for prosthetic breast forms, are too uncomfortable for her to wear because of debilitating nerve pain - a common side effect of the surgery.

She told The Stranger: 'It burns all the time - a pretty searing, intense pain.'

Before cancer: Ms Jaecks is a lifelong athlete, and said she wanted to reclaim her fitness at the Medgar Evers Pool in central Seattle after months of debilitating cancer treatments

Before cancer: Ms Jaecks is a lifelong athlete, and said she wanted to reclaim her fitness at the Medgar Evers Pool in central Seattle after months of debilitating cancer treatments

Ms Jaecks is one of nearly 1,200 women in the state of Washington alone who have mastectomies annually, and choose not to have reconstructive surgery.

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The parks department, which maintains Seattle's ten public pools, strictly stuck to their dress code that women must wear tops and bottoms.

The department's spokesperson, Dewey Potter explained that bathing suits must be 'appropriate at a family facility,' ensuring that people from different cultural backgrounds feel comfortable swimming.

Ms Jaecks was told that her topless body would disrupt the family-friendly environment, with Ms Potter adding at the time: 'She made it clear she wanted to show her scars as a "badge of courage" and wanted to use the pool to spread her message.'

After weeks of waiting for the parks aquatic manager to address her request, she was again told she was not welcome to swim unless she wore 'gender appropriate swimwear.'

However, after public outcry at the decision, the parks Superintendent Christopher Williams has said there is 'nothing to alarm the public, so the department decided to make an exception to its dress policy for public pools.'

Supporting swimmers: Fellow pool-goers were outraged by the decision made by Seattle Parks and Recreation department, which refused to let Jodie Haecks swim topless

Supporting swimmers: Fellow pool-goers were outraged by the parks decision, which refused to let Ms Jaecks swim topless

Swimming rules: The parks department, which maintains Seattle's ten public pools, strictly stuck to their dress code that women must wear tops and bottoms

Swimming rules: The parks department, which maintains Seattle's ten public pools, strictly stuck to their dress code that women must wear tops and bottoms

Dr Patricia Dawson, a breast surgery specialist at Swedish Medical Center called the policy 'stupid' and 'incredibly misguided.'

She said: 'This clearly reflects how politicized women's bodies and breasts are in our culture.'

Many mothers came out saying they would not no be worried if a woman such as Ms Jaecks swam topless in front of their children.

Gideon Jones from Montana wrote: 'I've had to explain wheelchairs, dredlocks [sic], prosthetic legs, little people, burn scars, albinos, and about a million other things to our kids over the years. Pretty sure they're better for it. This bit of ridiculousness is about adult discomfort, not kids.'

'It's good for kids to be exposed to the positive reality - not only of the existence of cancer, but as a fact of humanity'

Brittney Stewart, a double-mastectomy breast cancer survivor who often swims topless with her children in Lake Washington, agreed.

Prior to the parks new decision, she said: 'I'm frankly appalled. I'm trying to teach my kids that my body isn't something to be ashamed or afraid of. Policies like this make it much harder.'

It was also noted at the time of Ms Jaecks ban that the parks policy is more restrictive than city law, which states nudity is not illegal.

Sergeant Sean Whitcomb, from the Seattle Police Department, said that streaking, sunbathing and swimming in public places is not against the law unless it is 'accompanied by behavior that causes a reasonable person affront or alarm.'

Ms Jaecks added: 'It's good for kids to be exposed to the positive reality - not only of the existence of cancer as a fact of humanity, but also the example of surviving it with strength and spirit intact.'

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

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Is her going topless any less offensive then men with man boobs swimming without a shirt on??? Because I kind of feel that is offensive. Some of these guys have bigger boobs than I do but I don't get to walk around without a shirt or top on...why should they. If she has to cover her scars then men with boobs should have to cover them up too.

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SHE HAS NO BOOBS!!!!! How is this inappropriate?!!! This establishment should be deeply ashamed of themselves.

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I am a male that has unsightly scars on my stomach and chest. I wear a shirt to the pool/beach. Not because I am embarrassed for the injuries I suffered but because it is the polite thing to do for the other people at the beach/pool. Just because you have had a mastectomy, doesn't change the fact that you are a lady. Act like one, always, and the world will treat you as one. For we are not the parts but the sum of those parts. And missing one part or another does not destroy the sum.

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why cant women go topless enyway ? whats to hide flesh ?. its only a big thing because it hidden up

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If you have ever worn clothes in the swimming baths (think swimming lessons diving for bricks) you'll know the pressure it has on your skin. she says she can't wear swimwear because its pressure on her skin, so she can't. All these people saying "well im sure she could wear a vest" etc etc, what part of pressure on skin don't you get? Its not the same as wearing a vest outside as in a swimming pool.

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- Ciara, Eire, 22/6/2012 00:10 - Bit rude of you to be so presumtious. The women is in constant pain and the swimwear makes it worse. But i'm sure you know best.

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Almost all the comments come from people who seem to have some kind of hang up about nudity. The best comment, IMHO, is from the woman who suggests we should all go topless...

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A simple rash vest would be appropriate,It has no seams and doesn't cling. She's trying to prove a point

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Very sorry for the pain this woman has experienced, but it is a good example of the tyranny of the minority.

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The point of a woman covering up is to not expose her breasts. Since she has none, what's the problem? Those of you saying you don't want to explain to your kids or have them see the scars, what if it was a man with scars? Would you still want to shied your children's precious eyes? Sounds like you're just uncomfortable with the idea of a woman not wearing a top. I notice that the USA is a very sexualized country with the most sanctimonious attitude. It's so very hypocritical.

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