Controversial Pool Policy of the Day

Breast cancer survivor Jodi Jaecks underwent a bilateral mastectomy in 2011. She opted not to have reconstructive surgery, and the procedure left her with two thin scars that cut across her chest where her nipples once lay. Jaecks now suffers from a common side effect of mastectomies -- nerve pain across her chest and neck:

It burns all the time -- a pretty searing, intense pain.

As such, she has no interest in wearing post-mastectomy swimsuits, and besides, she really has nothing left to cover up. So she petitioned Seattle Parks and Recreation to allow her to swim topless in the district's 10 public pools. (Video in link Sorta Not Safe For Work -- Jaecks is pictured topless.) But the district pushed back, telling Jaecks she wouldn't be welcome unless she wore "gender-appropriate swimwear."

"She made it clear she wanted to show her scars as a 'badge of courage' and wanted to use the pool to spread her message," says parks spokeswoman Dewey Potter.

After the story broke Tuesday, Seattle Parks and Rec caved to public pressure and overturned the policy -- but for Jaecks only. Naturally, the meager concession prompted further backlash, and now it looks like Jaecks may win the battle and the war. The district has announced it will consider reversing its policy for everyone. [theslog]