Seattle woman wins fight to swim topless

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SEATTLE, June 21 (UPI) -- A Seattle woman who underwent a double mastectomy has won the right to swim topless in city pools, but says she still isn't happy.

In February, Jodi Jaecks asked the city to allow her to swim topless because swim suit tops hurt the scars from her mastectomy, the Seattle Times reported.

"I certainly was not trying to be provocative -- I just wanted to convince them that it wasn't inappropriate," Jaecks said. "I could have gone back and just jumped into the pool topless, but that's not my style. I was trying to be respectful."

On Wednesday, the city finally approved Jaecks' request, but she is only allowed to swim topless during adult lap sessions, KOMO-TV, Seattle, reported.

"After looking at the situation again," said Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Christopher Williams in a statement, "I decided to reconsider based on the circumstances of the case. Our original concern stems from our responsibility to accommodate the needs of all our patrons. In this case I see nothing that might alarm the public."

However, all other women who have had mastectomies and wish to swim topless in Seattle's public pools must ask for permission from the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.

Jaecks said she hopes to change the city's policy so all women who have had mastectomies can swim without a top in any pool.

"It's absurd and ludicrous that they would give one person permission because it puts the onus on a specific person to ask for permission individually," Jaecks said. "It's going to be harder for a more reserved, self-conscious woman to have the guts to stand out and be different."