News: Breast cancer survivor wins right to swim topless at public pool

Jodi Jaecks, a 47-year-old woman who underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy as treatment for breast cancer, recently won the right to swim topless at a Seattle public pool.

Initially, Jaecks was told by pool staff that all swimmers must wear “gender-appropriate clothing” that is respectful of the pool’s family setting, reports Seattle newspaper, The Stranger.

It was after a topless photo of Jaecks poolside (shown above) appeared alongside an article in The Stranger that the policy was overturned’but only for Jaecks. All other breast cancer survivors with double mastectomies wishing to swim topless at the pool would be considered on a case-by-case basis, Seattle Parks and Recreation superintendent Christopher Williams announced in a statement.

I find it very brave of Jaecks’not necessarily for standing up for what she believes in’but for simply wanting to swim topless in the first place. Many women post-single or double mastectomy (especially those who opted not to get reconstructive surgery) feel a great deal of self-consciousness. So kudos to Jaecks for not caring what other people think of her post-breast cancer body and for doing what makes her feel comfortable.

What do you think of the ruling? Should the exception be expanded to include all women who have had a double mastectomy?

Related:
‘ Breast Cancer
‘ Bras after breast cancer
‘ ‘I survived breast cancer’twice’