Inspiring
Breast Cancer Survivor with Double Mastectomy Gets to Swim Topless
One brave woman has won a victory for breast cancer survivors everywhere by fighing a ban on women with mastectomies who want to swim topless in Seattle public pools. The woman, 47-year-old Jodi Jaecks, had chemotherapy as well as a double mastectomy last year. The operation left her with a burning sensation in her chest, caused by overstimulated nerves. In order to ease the pain, Jodi wanted to take up swimming. However, Seattle officials told her she would not be allowed to swim unless she had on a bathing suit top. What happened next will make you cheer.
At first, Jodi understood that city officials would want her to cover up, so she looked all over for a suitable bathing suit. However, one pieces were painful; bikini tops were impossible; and tops made for women with masectomies all had fake breasts inside of them. And Jodi says, "I'm never going to fake it. I'm not ashamed of my body."
Good for Jodi. Why should she wear fake boobs so that other people feel more comfortable looking at her? First of all, the woman has been through enough. Second of all, breast cancer, as well as other forms of cancer and health issues, are part of life. So what if children and adults have to look at people who appear different? Do we insist that people without legs put on fake ones before they go outside? Give me a break!
When Jodi then told the parks department she would have to swim topless, they turned her down. So Jodi took her story to the press. After seeing a picture of Jodi in only swim trunks, officials decided that they saw "nothing that would alarm or cause affront to parents or children." Because some people are so affronted by the reality that some people get sick? Insane.
Jodi has been given the green light to swim topless, but the department says other breast cancer survivors will have to be approved on a "case by case" basis. Ridiculous.
Do you think women with mastectomies should be allowed to go topless in public?
Image via brownpau/Flickr
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jessicasmom1
yes dontbe ashamed
regenbogenpilz
they have no breasts to "offend" people with. Whats the issue?
Maevelyn
I think the idea that "having no breasts so there is no offence" is offensive. She's still a women just like me (a tripple D) or my sister (A is being generous.) I don't think she should have to wear a top, I just think that saying "Oh no breasts, so you're not offensive." The female body is beautiful regardless of cup size or lack there of. Let all women swim topless problem solved. None of us have anything to be ashamed of.
banana-bear
It looks weird and I would definitely do a double-take, but I don't see how it's any different than a man swimming shirtless. Personally though, I would feel uncomfortable doing so. I'd rather soak in my tub to get the same effect in privacy.
RhondaVeggie
Shelly
PinkJane
so now that she's had her breasts removed, she wants to be treated like a man.... hmmm ok.
the4mutts
Its actually MORE hygenic for a woman to be topless, because we don't shed chest hair everywhere.
Inequality of th sexes pisses me off. Men have breasts too. Men can get breast cancer. Either we should all be allowed, or nobody should.
parentalrights1
All women should be able to go topless. It's time we realized we only are offended by breasts because we are taught to be. Did you know that we are only 1 of a few countries who view breasts sexually? Did you know that hundreds of countries don't even give the breasts attention during sex? Know why we started this crap? Because we have always been property and we have alway sbeen told to save ourselves for our husbands and every generation has been taught to cover up because of it. Not necessarily directly stated that we are property, but pretty much the same "Don't let anyone see your body. Save it for your husband. What? There's a guy over there half naked? Oh that's just men for you, isn't it funny?"
Female breasts aren't any different than male breasts except a little more fatty and we can lactate. Men can have moobs though. And I don't want to hear the whole "Well I get sexual pleasure with my breasts *derp*" Because you can get sexual pleasure in numerous places and if you were taught to think that any other part of your body was a private part, then that would feel taboo too.
parentalrights1
And the fact that other people are saying she shouldn't just because she's female just proves the property argument further. Without breasts there really ISN'T anything to hide and you still see it as sexual. Even when it really is exactly the same as a man. Are you freakin' joking?