SEATTLE (June 21, 2012)--The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department has reversed a decision by its aquatics manager and will allow a woman who underwent a double mastectomy to swim topless.

Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams said there's nothing to alarm the public so the department decided to make an exception to its dress policy for public pools.

KOMO-TV reported that Jodi Jaecks wanted to swim at the city's Medgar Evers Pool to help recover her strength after she had chemotherapy for breast cancer and had both breasts surgically removed.

She couldn't find a swimsuit with a comfortable top and asked to swim topless.

Managers said no until her story was published in The Stranger weekly newspaper.

Jaecks says cancer patients shouldn't be made to feel self-conscious by asking special permission.