She was with her entire family when they went for an outing. This was why she did not expect that she would get enraged, humiliated, and she felt one-sided on this event. She had no problems with playing little kids in the area or the expensive tickets of that place. She also had no problem with the food in the water park. However, there were other more serious subjects that made her feel angry. She was having a great time in the water park for a few minutes when she was forced to go out of that place. At that moment, she knew that she had to do something and would never let this go so easily.
A Woman Was Kicked Our From A Water Park With No Clue What She Did Wrong
Her Name Is Madelyn Scheaffer
Her name was Madelyn Scheaffer, a mother in Odessa, Missouri. She was the kind of mother who would do everything that she could do just to make sure that her family were doing okay. In her mid-30s, there was a huge incident that happened in her life. This was not an overstatement to tell, however, the event shattered her entire world.
Her Name Is Madelyn Scheaffer
Hard Work
After seven years since the incident, the employees of the waterpark attempted to undo the effort of Madelyn’s hard work. She was there to see what would happen through it all. It was a tough time during that incident. We knew that whatever the incident was that had happened inside the park was not pleasant.
Hard Work
It Was Time To Make A Decision
Back in 2005, Madelyn had realized that she had to think again about her decision in life when she was hurt and resulted in a slipped disc. This happened when she accidentally fell into a bathtub as she was going to lean to go for a bath.
It Was Time To Make A Decision
A Change
Madelyn’s daily life was affected because of her injury. At one point, she told herself that she has had enough. This was the time that she realized that she needed to change her lifestyle. It was because she was suffering from the trial from her slipped disc which could make people change their lifestyle.
A Change
It Was A Sign
In the time when the accident happened, the emergency worker of the water park came immediately after they learned what happened. But Madelyn was suffering and did not want to move in that area. She also told the responder to get away from her and laid in the bathtub for a few days.
It Was A Sign
A Sense Of Calm
It took some time when Madelyn regained her calmness. This was not a part of her plan. However, she blamed herself because she was not careful enough that resulted in this kind of injury. She always thought about her neglected duties to protect her entire family.
A Sense Of Calm
She Was Determined To Change
Madelyn stated, “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.” After that incident, when she decided to gather her willpower and strength, it caused something amazing.
She Was Determined To Change
Best Shape Of Her Life
Two years after, Madelyn had made the impossible where she lost a hundred pounds of her weight. It was truly a life-changing event for her. After five years when she lost weight, She was in the best shape of her life. She did not expect that she would face one of the biggest challenges in her life.
Best Shape Of Her Life
Mustering The Bravery To Do It
On the day she turned 43 and weighed 170 pounds, Madelyn was proud that she was in the best shape of her life. She even felt more confident than the previous outings. On that very hot day, She decided to do something that she never dared to do before because she was not confident enough to do it. She was also aware that she did not have the perfect body. However, she did what she wanted to and wore a black bikini into the Adventure Oasis Water Park with her entire family. This was the time that things had gone awry.
Mustering The Bravery To Do It
Someone Was Watching Her
Madelyn observed the bodies of the people inside the water park. She observed the difference in the physique structures of both the young and old people. On this occasion, she did not feel jealous. She was happy and content with the body that she got because she tried her best in order to get the best shape she ever had. However, she did not know that she was being watched.
Someone Was Watching Her
Confidence is Key
It was difficult for someone to lose some weight in our body especially when we are overweight. After we experienced the excessive fat in our body, we would feel cautious when we wore something that we would be teased by someone else. But after some time, Madelyn mustered all her confidence in order to wear her bikini. That day she felt content, but that family outing also caused her disappointment.
Confidence Is Key
She Could Not Believe It
Madelyn took the towel away from her body and went into the cold water of the waterpark. After 5 minutes in the water, she was approached by two female staff of the park. They said something about her that she did not process immediately.
She Could Not Believe It
Employees Say What
Madelyn looked up into the sunlight and decided to ask them one more time because she could not apprehend what they were saying. Maybe she just misheard or had a misunderstanding with the staff of the park. She was shocked because the one who said these words were coming from the female staff members.
Employees Say What
Her “Inappropriate” Outfit
This time, the staff of the water park sighed and recapped what she was saying. She told Madelyn that she was wearing “too small” and “inappropriate” swimsuit bottoms. She added that “This is a family park” she asked herself how could this be inappropriate?
Her “Inappropriate” Outfit
According To Who’s Standards?
After all that is happening in the water park, Madelyn knew that she was wearing a “full” bikini bottom. Her mind was clouded when she glanced at another woman in the water park. She thought to herself that most of them wore a shorter and fancier swimsuit. This was the time that she knew there was something wrong.
According To Who’s Standards
She Felt Violated
Madelyn could not keep her emotions into herself, it was written all over her face that others could see. She felt humiliated and ashamed after what she heard from the two female employees that were talking about her body. She felt disrespected at that time.
She Felt Violated
Taking A Stand
After some time, the feeling of being ashamed and humiliated was turned into anger and irritation. She also said that “I was embarrassed for a second, and then it was no, no way.” She knew that she worked hard in order to prepare for this day so she would not let these two employees of the water park break her spirit.
Taking A Stand
They Singled Her Out
Madelyn explained that “My body is different from the young girls that were walking around in their bikinis, but why should I be made ashamed of my body?” she also added that “I am comfortable in my bikini. I am happy with who I am.”
They Singled Her Out
Embracing Your Body
“My first reaction was why are you singling me out? They said that my bottoms were inappropriate. That was funny to me because they are full-size bottoms.” Madelyn also added, “Women of all shapes and sizes should be able to embrace their bodies and not be ashamed.”
Embracing Your Body
Time To Take A Stand
When Madelyn glanced on the staff members who were scanning her body with an ill manner. She knew that if this incident took place when she was overweight then she would felt embarrassed or ashamed. However, it happened when she put all her effort in order to be in the best shape. She realized that it was the time to take a stand for herself.
Time To Take A Stand
Standing Up For Herself
This time, Madelyn needed to defend herself because she realized that they were just accusing without any good reason for wearing a bikini. Her spirit did not break easily. She gathered all her confidence in order to fight her rights from the accusation.
Standing Up For Herself
They Gave Her Two Options
The two employees of the water park did not stop. The staff had two options for her, first, she could put a pair of shorts to hide her bikini bottoms or she would be kicked out of the water park because of the violation. She was angry enough that she told the employees that she needed to talk to their supervisor.
They Gave Her Two Options
Choosing
Madelyn said that “Will I am not covering up,” and also added, “And if you expect me to leave, you had better call the police and have them escort me out.” This was not because of the embarrassment that she felt, but because she was fighting for the rights of every woman.
Choosing
She Was Booted Out
Police officers came to the incident, Madelyn felt disappointment from what had happened. They were eventually kicked out from the water park with the help of the police. She stated that “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 expressions on our face you can tell how we feel.”
She Was Booted Out
Even The Police Agreed
“They were compassionate. They, too, thought it was ridiculous.” The police would surely know what should and should not be allowed in today’s world.” This statement was posted on Madelyn Facebook. It became viral and became an issue in the world.
Even The Police Agreed
Looking Too Good In A Bikini
Madelyn continued saying that “ I am a 43-years-old woman who did not have the confidence of the body, to put on a bikini until [I was] 40 years old,” She also said that “I will not be discriminated against because I look too good in one.”
Looking Too Good In A Bikini
Wearing A Bikini At Any Age
Madelyn shared “This 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.” We should not judge an individual with their body type because it would be unfair when receiving different treatment from others who have a good body and a normal one.
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 singled out and told to put on clothes or leave,” she was angry while complaining. However, what could she do in this kind of incident?
It Was Completely Unfair
It Went Viral On Facebook
Madelyn posted her experience on Facebook about the discrimination of the staff in the water park against her. The incident that happened on that day was known throughout the world. People could not imagine that the employees of the water park mistreated her, however, she did not stop there.
It Went Viral On Facebook
Spreading The Word
Madelyn knew that the water park would not accept their fault for the incident on the internet. What could she do in this event? She was going to do something in order to fight the right for every woman in the world. Especially the ones who could not muster their courage in order to defend themselves.
Spreading The Word
She Received Local Support
Madelyn stated “Long story short, I called the media and will be on tonight’s local 41 news. Several people walked out while I waited outside for the newsman, and told me how ridiculous this all was, and complimented me on my swimsuit,” We were happy that the post that she made was getting more attraction. At first, she thought that it was impossible.
She Received Local Support
Supporters From All Over The World
Madelyn posted some gratitude on Facebook because she was surprised at how the people reacted on the post that she shared. She was shocked that many people had supported her with her problem against the water park. She stated “In addition to other countries already mentioned, I have now heard from Greece, China, Hong Kong… and received over 500 beautiful 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
Madelyn also shared “One thing I have learned so far is that there is a much greater viewpoint and perspective of the human body than what is to be found in Independence, Missouri worldwide… and I thank and appreciate you for that!”
Appreciation For The Human Body
Appreciating What We Have
“Much Love to those who express pride over shame for all shapes, sizes, in addition to various ages and stages, of this beautiful human body we inhabit our time on earth,” Madelyn added. Was there something that she could achieve when she was using the social media for the unfair policies of the water park that she was accused of?
Appreciating What We Have
Money Is Not Going To Fix The Problem
Madelyn stated that “While I stand by my grievance that I was discriminated against at Adventure Oasis Water Park, and I do not believe it should happen again,” and she also added “It is not money that is going to correct the issue, but a change in the swimming park’s “appropriate swimming attire” policy, and also an improvement involving better education and orientation of their park management.”
Money Is Not Going To Fix The Problem
Change In Policy
We knew that this is the only way that the water park would improve the matter that was involved because of the incident. We hoped that they would settle things in a nice way the next time they disclosed something to their guests. They could also make their standard into equal and fair rules. In the current era, we were promoting positivity and acceptance for every one of the differences in their bodies. But this kind of incident was happening everywhere throughout the world. The next chapter would make the incident even crazier.
Change In Policy
Unwelcome
Sarah Villafane was a student at the College of Charleston. Most of the time, she worked out in their student gym. She was a devoted student who liked to go to their gym and did not have any problem using the facility. At one point when Sarah went into the gym after class, there were some people who said something that offended her.
Unwelcome
Her Gym Top
Sarah had 3 classes on that day. She always wore gym clothes during that time. This was a common thing for her. We would always wear gym clothes if the day were full of errands and work. This was also useful when it came to working out especially when in the gym.
Her Gym Top
A Matching Set
Sarah’s gym clothes were black leggings with a black matching cropped sleeveless shirt. The shirt that she was using was not cropped that her belly would not be showing too much. Also, her leggings were high-waisted that can cover her belly. It was a common combination of clothes in the gym or any other place where people worked out.
A Matching Set
Approached Her
At the time that Sarah was working out, she was approached by the staff of the gym. The employee told her that she should change her shirt because it was not appropriate for working out. Sarah was shocked about what she had heard. She could not apprehend what the employee said to her. She thought about what kind of mistake she ever had in the facility.
Approached Her
No Other Option
Sarah told the staff that she did not have any extra shirt that she can use for work out. After that time, she resumed her workout and went to her routine as nothing had occurred. However, when she was told by the employee about her inappropriate clothes, she felt embarrassed. But it did not stop there.
No Other Option
The Conversation
Sarah moved onto her next routine. In the back corner of the gym, she was having routine work for her abs. She was on the floor and when she saw the staff member, she was disappointed. Then she remembered that the employee of the gym was requesting her to put her shirt back, but she replied, “I have a shirt on.”
The Conversation
The Staff Member Argued
This time the staff member of the gym replied to Sarah, “No that’s not a shirt, You have to wear a whole shirt.” Then Sarah asked, “how is this not a shirt?” After some conversation, the employee told her that she needed to wear clothes that could fully cover her body.
The Staff Member Argued
Continued On
The staff of the gym also added that if she had any problem in their rules, their “boss” was always in the area to watch every guest that was using the facility. She laughed and dared the employee to send him over if they were serious about what she was wearing.
Continued On
The Manager
It was the time that the manager of the gym approached Sarah and told her that if she would not change her shirt then she might be kicked out in the gym. At that moment, she felt embarrassed. Not only because the manager said those things to her but also there were other students inside the gym.
The Manager
Referred To As Boss
The manager of the gym or the “boss” that the employee called him told Sarah, “I need you to put on a shirt or I’m gonna have to ask you to leave.” Sarah replied, “But I have a shirt on.” It was the time that the manager persisted and said, “Are you gonna put a shirt on?”
Referred To As Boss
Gym Clothes
We knew that the gym clothes were supposed to be comfortable and might show a little skin for flexibility. There were many in the gym who were wearing clothes that were made tight, flexible and showed a bit of our skin than the one that she was wearing.
Gym Clothes
Conducted Wrong
At this point, she was forced to leave the gym. She felt embarrassed after the incident. The way that the employee of the gym had handled the situation made her feel that way. Even if Sarah had done something wrong, they should try to approach her in a kinder way that she would not be offended. However, it did not happen in this incident.
Conducted Wrong
Taking It To Media
Sarah posted the incident to Facebook. She explained everything that happened inside the gym. She even posted her expressions and frustrations that took place in the event. She was furious about what happened. She also expressed her shirt that was considered a sports bra and it was athletic wear. She knew that it should be allowed on the premises but there was no censure that had occurred.
Taking It To Media
People Reacted
There were people who supported her but there were also some people who agreed on the policy of the gym. Some even commented that she could wear it in her classes, but others said that it could be used in the gym but not in the classes. Caryl Hogan Stated that “I would question how appropriate they are for class or lectures or discussion with your professors,”
People Reacted
Another Reason
The gym where the incident happened had a comment that they had good reason with how they handled the problem inside their facility. The reason might lead to a mishandled situation of the employee for their customer. They should have explained it for the start or handled it in a kinder way that they would not offend their guests.
Another Reason
Sanitation
The gym also stated that the covered t-shirt or vest are expected to be implemented as a part of their dress code. This was because of a sanity reason. However, the note on the entrance of the gym saying that “Athletic wear must be worn.” The staff of the gym said that gym wear that Sarah was using were not applicable to their rules and did not mention about sanitization.
Sanitation
Additional Responses
There were some comments on Facebook that Sarah posted that other college required to wear shirts that are not cropped. The reason was to avoid skin contact with the equipment of the gym. This might be the reason why the gym was against her gym wear.
Additional Responses
Valid
Their reason might be right. However, they should have explained it from the start that the staff of the gym did not offend their guests. They should have approached Sarah in a kind way and explained the reason why she could not be allowed to wear that kind of gym wear inside the premises more briefly.
Valid