What was considered a regular fun, family outing, turned out to be something very different. It came as a big surprise full of shame, anger, and injustice all in one day. This woman’s problem was not about the young kids playing nearby her or the expensive food and tickets and the waterpark. In fact, it was actually something a lot more critical. She had only been inside the water park for only a few moments before she was told to leave. But, there was no way she was going to let it slide so easily.
Woman Outraged As She Was Escorted Out of Water Park Because Of Her Bathing Suit
Her Name Is Madelyn Scheaffer
Madelyn Scheaffer is a devoted mother from Odessa, Missouri. She always does everything in her power to make sure her family is happy. But one day something happened when she was in her mid-30s. This was by no means an overreaction, but it did indeed crush her entire world!
Her Name Is Madelyn Scheaffer
Hard Work
Seven years follow the particular incident, a few employees at the waterpark tried to erase all her hard work. She had genuinely been through it all, so say the least it was a real difficult time. And to make things worse, it was merely a water park that affected her so badly. But how bad exactly what this occurrence.
Hard Work
It Was Time To Make A Decision
It was during 2005 that she discovered something about herself that made her rethink her personal life choices. She had actually slipped and fallen into the bathtub which resulted in a slipped disc. But that was not all…
It Was Time To Make A Decision
A Change
Her lifestyle choices did not help much either, so she made the choice that enough was enough. She knew she had to make a change, there was just too much pain and she felt she was suffering a lot due to her accident.
A Change
It Was A Sign
The moment the accident took place, emergency workers came over quickly. But Madelyn had been in excruciating pain that she did not want to move. She even tried to send the paramedics away as she just lay in the bathtub…for a few days
It Was A Sign
A Sense Of Calm
During her time she spent lying As she spent her time there, a sense of tranquility took over her whole body. This was certainly not part of her plan but she took it as an indication that she really had been neglecting herself way too much, as she was always putting the ell being of her family before hers.
A Sense Of Calm
She Was Determined To Change
Madelyn said, “That should have been the first sign for me, that I needed to lose weight, but it took me another year before I made the decision to do something.” Something remarkable happened when she was eventually able to gather all her willpower and strength.
She Was Determined To Change
Best Shape Of Her Life
After just two years, she managed to drop 100 pounds. She definitely made a life change. Another 5 years following this, she was still in really good shape. But she had no clue that she was just about to land herself in one of the largest conflicts of her life.
Best Shape Of Her Life
Mustering The Bravery To Do It
Weighing 170 pounds at the age of 43, Madelyn was possibly in the best shape ever and was feeling more confident than ever before. She deiced to try something she had never tried before. Of course, she was mindful of the fact that her body was not perfect, but regardless it was an extremely hot day so she put on her new black bikini and set off to Adventure Oasis Water Park with her family. Things went downhill fast, from the moment she entered the park.
Mustering The Bravery To Do It
Someone Was Watching Her
Madelyn scanned the overcrowded water park, filled with people both young and old. She was by no means feeling jealous, as she was already happy with the way that she looked. She had worked so hard for her body so she had every right to feel proud of herself. Unknowingly, there was someone there who was watching her.
Someone Was Watching Her
Confidence is Key
A lot of people know how hard it is to lose weight and on top of that build up the confidence to pull off a bikini after being overweight. Believe it or not but confidence does not automatically appear when you lose weight but is more like a work in progress. Madelyn really felt good about her appearance but soon that would change.
Confidence Is Key
She Could Not Believe It
After sitting down for some time, she put her towel away and went to take a dip into the cold water. It was only a few minutes of being in the water when two female staff members approached her. She had only been in there for five minutes when she was approached by two female staff members. What they told Madelyn was something she was unable to take in straight away.
She Could Not Believe It
Employees Say What
She glanced up at them with the sun nearly blinding her eyes, as she asked them to repeat it again. Maybe she just misheard them, but wither way she was absolutely flabbergasted with the words that come out of their mouths.
Employees Say What
Her “Inappropriate” Outfit
One of the women sighed with attitude and repeated what she just said. She told Madelyn that her bikini bottoms were “too small” and “inappropriate”. “This is a family park,” she further explained. Were they in the wrong?
Her “Inappropriate” Outfit
According To Who’s Standards?
In spite of everything, she had “full” bikini bottoms on. She was completely puzzled as she looked at the other women at the water park. Many of them there were wearing very revealing swimwear! Obviously, something was very wrong here.
According To Who’s Standards
She Felt Violated
Her face clearly showed exactly how she was feeling. Madelyn was so embarrassed and had a huge sense of shame after the two employees commented on her body and bikini. She felt beyond violated!
She Felt Violated
Taking A Stand
After all these emotions, she was then overcome with excessive rage. “I was embarrassed for a second, and then it was no, no way,” she shared. She had put so much effort into her body to allow these strange women to break her down like that.
Taking A Stand
They Singled Her Out
“My body is different than the young girls that were walking around in their bikinis, but why should I be made ashamed of my body?” Madelyn said. She went on to say, “I am comfortable in my bikini. I am happy with who I am.
They Singled Her Out
Embracing Your Body
My initial response was, “why are you singling me out? They said that my bottoms were inappropriate. To me that was hilarious because they are full-size bottoms.” Women of all shapes and sizes should be able to flaunt their bodies and not feel shameful.
Embracing Your Body
Time To Take A Stand
She gazed over at the staff members who continued to scrutinize her body. Perhaps if this happened a few years ag before her transformation, she knew she wouldn’t have the courage to defend herself. But this is now the present.
Time To Take A Stand
Standing Up For Herself
She was certain at any second she was about to speak her mind and assert herself. After all, it was so clear that they were unreasonably singling her out. Her self assurance would not easily be crushed as it had taken her so long to build it up and never wanted to let go of it.
Standing Up For Herself
They Gave Her Two Options
The two unpleasant women would not accept forgetting about the situation, they were determined. They rudely explained to Madelyn that she had two options. She had the choice of putting on a pair of shorts over her bikini bottoms, or she leaves the park. She was totally enraged by that point and proceeded to want to talk to their supervisor.
They Gave Her Two Options
Choosing
“Well I am not covering up,” she told them, angrily. She added, “And if you expect me to leave, you had better call the police and have them escort me out.” Not only was she embarrassed they had been unfairly treated but she felt that she was standing up for so many other women.
Choosing
She Was Booted Out
To her horror, police officers indeed arrived at the waterpark to escort her out. “Fifteen minutes later the police did arrive and said that while they did not agree, they had to do their job. ‘We can’t actually say anything,’ they said as we walked outside… but I hope from the looks on our faces you can understand how we really feel.”
She Was Booted Out
Even The Police Agreed
Madelyn took to Facebook immediately and posted about her experience, which then went viral. She continued to say, “They were compassionate. They, too, though it was unbelievable.” The police should definitely know what should and should not be allowed in today’s world. Right?
Even The Police Agreed
Looking Too Good In A Bikini
“I am a 43-year-old woman who previously didn’t own the confidence of the body, to put on a bikini until [I was] 40 years old,” Madelyn repeated in her post. She said, “I will not be victimized because I look too good in one.”
Looking Too Good In A Bikini
Wearing A Bikini At Any Age
She described, “It was not a thong. It was a standard, summertime, two-piece, string bikini… the same as everyone else, who felt confident enough in their body to wear one.” Despite what her body type was, if other individuals were dressed the same as her she should not have experienced the unfair treatment she did.
Wearing A Bikini At Any Age
It Was Completely Unfair
“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 discriminated against or told to put on clothes or leave,” she said in her anger. But what could she possibly do about this?
It Was Completely Unfair
It Went Viral On Facebook
Once Madelyn took to Facebook to explain her situation and she discriminated against at the waterpark, people from all over the world discovered her post. They were in total shock by the way the staff members of the Adventure Oasis Water Park treated her. But that was not all, she would not stop there…
It Went Viral On Facebook
Spreading The Word
However, Madelyn was aware of the fact that they were not going to see their mistakes only if it was online- this was not a fair shaming game. She was determined to get even. hat else could she do? She decided to take a stand, not just for herself but for every other woman out there who was in the same boat as her and didn’t have the courage.
Spreading The Word
She Received Local Support
“Long story short, I called the media and will be on tonight’s local 41 news. Many people walked out while I waited outside for the newsman, and told me how absurd this all was, and then complimented me on my swimsuit,” she said. We are overjoyed that the post got more attention than she thought was possible!
She Received Local Support
Supporters From All Over The World
She then went back to Facebook to express her appreciation and admiration that she received from her post. It was amazing to see how many strangers were supportive of Madelyn. She also said, “In addition to other countries already mentioned, I have now heard from Greece, China, Hong Kong…and received over 500 heartwarming letters from Brazil. I have been wanting to see the world, and now the world is coming to me, and sending much love.”
Supporters From All Over The World
Appreciation For The Human Body
“One thing I figured out so far is that there is a much greater outlook and perspective of the human body than what is to be found in Independence, Missouri worldwide… and I thank and appreciate you for that!” Madelyn shared.
Appreciation For The Human Body
Appreciating What We Have
She also said, “Much Love to those who express respect over shame for all shapes, sizes, as well as to different ages and stages, of this beautiful human body we occupy during our time on earth.” But what was she anticipating to achieve by shedding a light on the unfair policies of the waterpark?
Appreciating What We Have
Money Is Not Going To Fix The Problem
“While I stand by my complaints about being discriminated against at Adventure Oasis Water Park, and I do not believe this should happen again,” she said, “It is not money that is going to fix the problem, but a shift in the swimming park’s “appropriate swimming attire” policy, and also an improvement along with better education and orientation of their park management.”
Money Is Not Going To Fix The Problem
Change In Policy
We have to admit that this is the only way to strengthen matters over there! Fingers crossed, they will take note of her wise words sooner rather than later. Or if those are their standards they should be equally and fairly applied and understood. In today’s day and age, body positivity and exposing some skin is highly on the rise and being encouraged. Sadly, this sort of thing is happening everywhere and the next story is even more strange…
Change In Policy
Unwelcome
Sarah Villafane is a student at the College Of Charleston who often works out in the student gym there. She was always enthusiastic about going to the gym, had never experienced any problems before at the gym. Sarah headed over to the gym once her classes had finished, but what happened next was really not okay…
Unwelcome
Her Gym Top
Sarah had attended 3 classes that day and obviously didn’t change her outfit after each class, but regardless she mainly dressed in gym attire throughout the day. In today’s age, it becomes a common thing to do, we often throw on gym clothes on days filled with errands or if we know we are ending the day off with a workout.
Her Gym Top
A Matching Set
Sarah was wearing black leggings and a black matching cropped sleeveless shirt. The shirt was somewhat cropped and wasn’t showing too much skin and her leggings were high-waisted. A standard combination at any gym or on any gym influencers feed.
A Matching Set
Approached Her
Sarah continued with a workout when she was approached by an employee of the gym. The employee said that she needed to change her shirt as it was inappropriate. Sarah was shocked, she could not believe what she was hearing. But wait until you see what she did next…
Approached Her
No Other Option
In total amazement, Sarah simply told the employee that she didn’t have another shirt to change into. So she continued with her workout and went about her gym session as if wasn’t anything too serious. Besides the fact she was slightly embarrassed, she knew this was not going to be the end of it.
No Other Option
The Conversation
As she was about to do an abs workout, she moved to the back corner of the gym. To her horror, another member of staff came up to her. Sarah remembers the staff member asking her to put her shirt back on when she said, “I have a shirt on.”
The Conversation
The Staff Member Argued
The staff member then replied, “no that’s not a shirt. You have to wear a whole shirt.” Sarah responded by asking, “how is this not a shirt?” The staff member then went on to explain that she needs full coverage.
The Staff Member Argued
Continued On
The staff member explained that the “boss” was often on the premises and didn’t have a problem to call him for assistance. Sarah simply laughed and told them she had no problem for him to be sent over if they were being serious.
Continued On
The Manager
It was not too long after that, she was indeed approached by the manager of the gym who said that if she did not change her shirt she would be forced to leave the gym. This also happened in front of all the other students in the gym so for Sarah this was extremely embarrassing.
The Manager
Referred To As Boss
The manager or “boss” as they called him told Sarah, “I need you to put on a shirt or I’m gonna have to ask you to leave.” Sarah explained, “But I have a shirt on.” When he answered, “Are you gonna put a shirt on?”
Referred To As Boss
Gym Clothes
Gym clothes are used for the purpose of feeling comfortable, and yes at times people show some skin. At any gym, over the decades clothes have been tight, and maybe a little revealing- we think more exposing than what Sarah was wearing.
Gym Clothes
Conducted Wrong
Lo and behold, Sarah was actually forced to leave and felt so ashamed. The situation should have really been handled completely differently from the beginning. The employees really could have pleasant and explained their issue regarding their policy in a nicer way- they were simply enforcing it. However, this was not the case.
Conducted Wrong
Taking It To Media
Sarah then decided to take to Facebook where she explained the situation in her post. She expressed her frustrations and disappointments along with her anger. She explains that even if her top was believed to be a sports bra it was still athletic wear and so, should have been permitted. No disapproval should have taken place.
Taking It To Media