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Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams said there's nothing to alarm the public, so the department decided to make an exception to its dress policy for public pools. (AP Photo/File)

Seattle pool allows topless breast cancer survivor

BY MyNorthwest.com  on June 21, 2012 @ 11:58 am (Updated: 1:55 pm - 6/21/12 )

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department has reversed a decision by its aquatics manager and decided to allow a woman to swim topless.

A breast-cancer survivor, who had a double mastectomy checked with the front desk of the Medgar Evars Pool in Seattle where she was swimming, to make sure she could swim topless.

Jodi Jaecks wanted to swim to help recover her strength after she had chemotherapy for breast cancer and had both breasts surgically removed.

She wasn't ready to wear a swimsuit top. "At that time, especially, my scars and chest were very sensitive," said Jaecks.

It's not uncommon for women who have had double mastectomies to go topless. In fact, it was something that Jaecks had been reading about in cancer survivor online forums.

Although the woman at the front desk of the Seattle pool said it would be alright, when she checked with pool managers - they had a different opinion.

They told Jaecks they were trying uphold a "family environment" so she would need to "cover up."

But once her story was published in The Stranger, the Parks and Recreation Department changed its tune.

Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams said there's nothing to alarm the public, so the department decided to make an exception to its dress policy for public pools.

Jaecks said that she took her story public because she didn't want it to be just about her; cancer patients shouldn't be made to feel self-conscious by asking special permission.

"It didn't feel like I lost femininity with my breasts. So do I find it disturbing the thought of bearing my chest to the world? Absolutely not."

Jaecks hasn't swum topless yet. She is planning a swim on Monday. Her exception extends only to adult lap hours.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (6)


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  • fartforce1 wrote...
    The most funny part of this story, is when you type in the word B__Bs or T-ts and mynorthwest says its inappropriate language. what a joke!
    June 21, 2012 7:42 pm
    we have over sexuality breasts to the point of absurdity. They are just knockers, bongos, jugs or whatever you want to call them and if they are removed then they are gone aren't they? Think about it. Why cover something that is not there? Because females should dress or appear a certain way? Its stupid. This is not a Muslim run country the last time I looked, no need to over do normality to the point of insanity. If you want that you can always move to the mid east and see how that works out for you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    Public means public
    June 21, 2012 11:34 pm
    They allow people in pools that never use toilet paper...use at one own risk
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Hey hpitantso . . . .
    June 22, 2012 4:04 am
    you drop your load in the pool?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kiddenme wrote...
    hmmm
    June 22, 2012 6:24 am
    First, very sad for any women who has breast cancer. We can never understand their journey without going through it. But this story is a little weird... she's still a women. So what's next, if you are smaller than a A cup, then clothes are optional? I would think she could have found a tank top bikini and this was just a way to may a point... i guess thats stating the obvious
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Just wondering.............. ?
    June 22, 2012 7:18 am
    What kind of a bathing suit does a taller than normal 10 or 11 year old girl wear? Even al young as 5 (or younger?) girls are required to have tops OR ONE PIECE suits.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bora wrote...
    what if men are castrate. can you swin no underwear?
    June 22, 2012 11:01 am
    good question.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }