A full figured (that is how the media is describing her) woman was asked to put shorts over her bikini bottoms and when she refused, was asked to leave a Missouri water park. She had just lost 100 pounds (100 pounds!!!!) and was confident in her new figure and wanted to show it off. Supposedly she was showing too much skin with her 'tiny' bikini bottom, yet as she pointed out younger girls had nearly identical bottoms on their bottoms. It is apparenlty up to the management's (who seem to be all male) discretion to decide who can wear what at this water park.
Madelyn Shaeffer had just lost 100 pounds and felt confident enough in her skin to wear a bikini to the Adventure Oasis Water Park. After employees told her to cover up or leave, the Independence woman decided to speak out.
The woman was in the swimming pool with her niece and nephew when two park employees allegedly walked up to her and asked her to throw on some shorts. They said her bottoms were too small.
I just felt like I was singled out,” Sheaffer said, “I felt like it was both age and body discrimination and I felt like I could look around me and I could see a handful of other girls half my age, wearing the same size swimming suit and not being singled out and told to put on clothes or leave.”
“There are 16- or 18-year-old girls wearing just the same amount and no one’s criticizing them or making them feel ashamed or feel uncomfortable in their bodies,” Sheaffer said.
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Ms. Shaeffer was shown the exit by the managers, then asked if she could call the police to file a complaint. The police arrived, and escorted her out. She has filed a complaint against Adventure Oasis Water Park
10:50 AM PT: The Water Park employees don't feel like they discriminated against Ms. Shaeffer despite the fact that other (younger) women were nearly identically dressed:
The City of Independence says it’s up to the manager to decide if a person’s attire is appropriate or not and they don’t feel like they discriminated against Sheaffer.
11:01 AM PT: The facility is part of Independence, MO Parks and Recreation. Not a private business.
Parks & Recreation Administration
Eric Urfer, Parks & Recreation Director
Parks and Recreation Offices
Truman Memorial Building
416 West Maple Avenue
Independence,MO 64050
(816)325-7843