Schram: Will breast cancer survivor's perseverance help others?
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Jodi Jaecks wasn't looking for a cause, just a place to swim.
Jodi discovered the lump during a self-breast exam about a year and a half ago.
There were rounds of chemotherapy followed by a double mastectomy.
Reconstructive surgery wasn't in the cards.
Over time, the burning pain where her breasts used to be wore at her.
Someone told Jodi she might find some relief at Seattle's Medgar Evers pool. The warm, low-chlorinated water might help.
Unable to find a swim top that didn't increase her discomfort, Jodi decided she would go topless.
And so began her five-month journey down a bureaucratic rabbit hole.
Seattle Parks Department has policies and regulations and rules.
Women can't swim topless in city pools.
Even women with no breasts and searing post-op pain.
Jodi couldn't accept that.
She pushed and persisted and in finally going public, Jodi got an apology and a permission slip from Seattle parks.
She can now seek relief at the Medgar Evers pool without a top adding to her pain.
But Jodi is an exception, not the rule.
And so while she now has a place to swim, she also has a cause - to have Seattle parks change its policies so that other women like her will also be allowed to swim topless.
Way to go, Jodi.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
Jodi discovered the lump during a self-breast exam about a year and a half ago.
There were rounds of chemotherapy followed by a double mastectomy.
Reconstructive surgery wasn't in the cards.
Over time, the burning pain where her breasts used to be wore at her.
Someone told Jodi she might find some relief at Seattle's Medgar Evers pool. The warm, low-chlorinated water might help.
Unable to find a swim top that didn't increase her discomfort, Jodi decided she would go topless.
And so began her five-month journey down a bureaucratic rabbit hole.
Seattle Parks Department has policies and regulations and rules.
Women can't swim topless in city pools.
Even women with no breasts and searing post-op pain.
Jodi couldn't accept that.
She pushed and persisted and in finally going public, Jodi got an apology and a permission slip from Seattle parks.
She can now seek relief at the Medgar Evers pool without a top adding to her pain.
But Jodi is an exception, not the rule.
And so while she now has a place to swim, she also has a cause - to have Seattle parks change its policies so that other women like her will also be allowed to swim topless.
Way to go, Jodi.
-----
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
