Shauna Rae, the 23-year-old star of TLC’s hit reality series “I Am Shauna Rae,” faces the daily reality of being judged by her physical appearance.
Rae, who is just 3-foot-10 and weighs a mere 50 pounds, is often mistaken for an 8-year-old due to a medical condition stemming from her childhood battle with brain cancer. The treatment impacted Rae’s pituitary gland, causing pituitary dwarfism. However, Rae has been in full remission from cancer for years.
But while her appearance has caused her to be underestimated and excluded by society, Rae isn’t letting it stop her from going after what she wants.
“If you look at me, you see an 8-year-old,” she said. “But I think if you take the time to look at the details in my face, in my hands, the maturity in my body — and I think if you take the time to actually talk to me — you really understand that I’m a 23-year-old.”
Recently, Rae has been in the spotlight for her burgeoning romance with travel blogger Dan Swygart, 26. The couple met on the second season of the TLC series, and their relationship has since been met with criticism from those who find it “creepy” for Swygart to lust after a woman who looks like a young girl.
However, Rae made it clear that she can spot anyone who may not have the best intentions for her. She also spoke about how difficult it can be to find a partner who doesn’t underestimate her intelligence due to her physicality.
Swygart has since defended their relationship on social media, calling out those who have taken away Rae’s “human right” to have a connection with someone else.
“It’s very important to remember that Shauna is an incredible 23-year-old woman who has a disability,” he said. “So as you are building a connection with her, it’s important to acknowledge her disability and look past that and build it with who she is as an individual.”
He continued saying, “As soon as you say that she can’t have a real-world connection with someone else, you dehumanize her. She is a human being. She deserves to have relationships and connections with whoever she wants.”
Rae is now hoping to make a name for herself in the world of showbiz and has also set her sights on getting her driver’s license. But more importantly, she is fighting to be seen and taken seriously.
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