Dan Swygart, a travel blogger, revealed that his girlfriend suffers from a developmental disorder, giving her the appearance of a child even though she is already 23 years old.

The couple’s relationship has not received much support from the public.

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Swygart (26 years old, from the UK) is dating American reality TV star Shauna Rae. Due to brain cancer she battled as an infant, Shauna only weighs about 23 kg (50 lbs) and stands at 1.16 m (3’10”).

When she was just six months old, Shauna was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent intensive chemotherapy to stop the cancer cells from growing. The treatment was successful and saved her life, but it had a lasting side effect: it severely disrupted her body’s natural growth and development.

To this day, Shauna faces many challenges in daily life. Because of her tiny stature, she is frequently underestimated, looked down upon, or even rejected because of how she looks.

In a video shared online, Swygart said he sent flowers to Rae after watching the first season of the documentary series I Am Shauna Rae. After several dates, the two quickly became a couple.

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“Rae unfortunately has a physical impairment. So when moving forward in a romantic relationship, it’s important to respect her and genuinely get to know the person she is. Rae deserves to be loved and to connect with anyone,” Swygart explained.

However, after he posted photos of himself with Rae on Instagram, Swygart faced heavy backlash and mockery from netizens.

“Yes, she is 23 years old, but she is no different from a child. Rae also doesn’t act like an adult. If anyone claims they can see her as a woman, they are either lying or sick,” one harsh critic commented.

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In a 2022 interview with the New York Post, Rae herself spoke about the constant negative impact her appearance has on her life:

“If you just glance at me quickly, you’ll only see an 8-year-old child. But if you take the time to look closely at the details on my face, my body proportions, and the way I communicate, you will truly realize that I am 23 years old.”

Their relationship has attracted significant media attention in the UK. Recently, however, the British travel blogger has returned to his home in England, while Rae continues to live on Long Island, USA.