OK, I figured that title would get peoples' attention! I think this is an interesting topic and I debated posting it to the non-swimming related forum, but it is swimming related.
Anyway, here's the story. A woman in Seattle has been fighting the rule that women need to wear tops while swimming in Seattle pools. She had a double mastectomy and her contention is that the suit rubbing against her scars is very uncomfortable. The city Parks & Rec department finally decided she can swim topless--but only her:
seattletimes.nwsource.com/.../2018485244_swimmer.html
Firstly, a woman with a double mastectomy, without a shirt on is not a pretty sight. I feel for the lady. I could never imagine where she is emotionally.
Secondly, I believe this woman is just seeking special treatment. There is an entire industry that has built up around women who had had a singular or double mastectomy. She can easily purchase an Mastectomy swimsuit.
www.exava.com/shopwww.mastectomyshop.com/.../www.hapari.com/.../
Lastly, you have to give this lady credit for being courageous enough to want to swim topless after having a double mastectomy.
I don't understand. This woman originally raised the request because of her special situation. She got what she wanted and can swim the way she wants now. Glad? Nope. Now she's asking for more. What next? Advocating for the same on behalf of non-cancer survivors?
There is an entire industry that has built up around women who had had a singular or double mastectomy. She can easily purchase an Mastectomy swimsuit.
So are any of these suits actually suitable for someone who wants to swim laps seriously or are they mainly designed so women can wear prosthetics under them? Serious question--I don't know.
I fixed your post to help answer your question.
Sorry, but you are wrong. I did mean "non-cancer survivors". Note I said "what next". She's already advocating on behalf of the cancer survivors.
As someone pointed out--the scar tissue can be sensitive for quite a long time after it appears to be healed. Think along the lines of someone having "phantom pain" from an amputation. The scars itch and are raised for sometime after the surgery and you've healed. Even the suits designed for post mastectomy patients can't be that comfortable.
do you think a man would want to have to stick on parts of his anatomy to look "normal" if he had something removed? The products are either stuck to the skin with a surgical tape or the roughness of the fabric in the cups can be very irritating to somewhat raw skin.
And how come most of the people responding appear to be males?
Allowing women with no breasts and mastectomy scars to swim topless would make the sport more popular? Gee, not sure about that.
Those are minor details which I like to avoid thinking about. I'd rather focus on the bigger picture of the title of your thread- like topless Kate Upton competing in masters.
Why on earth should she have to wear anything if she has no breasts, and why does it bother ANY of you? The prohibition against bare breasts is codified by law most places, she now meets the same criteria as a male swimmer.
If someones scars make you uncomfortable, that is your issue, not theirs. As far as "special treatment" goes, there isn't any being afforded, she simply meets the male standard now.
All this puritanical crap is irritating.
Exactly.
