Well, that is awkward…
If you’ve by no means heard of I Am Shauna Rae, it’s the story of Shauna Rae Lesick, a 23-year-old lady basically trapped within the physique of an 8-year-old. On her TLC present, Shauna Rae offers with the ramifications of being an grownup handled by the world as a toddler as a result of her 3′ 10″, 50-lb physique — a results of mind most cancers therapy when she was a child.
The most uncomfortable a part of the present — for the viewers and her dad and mom — is Shauna Rae’s relationship life. She’s the scale and form of a median third grader, however with the thoughts of a twentysomething lady. She in fact needs so far males her age, however it turns into an actual conundrum — not only for her, but in addition for males she goes out with. And final month a hunky Welshman discovered precisely why.
Related: Josh Duggar Demands New Child Porn Trial
Dan Swygart went on a number of dates with the truth star, all of which was documented on the present in December. They made sushi, went paddle boarding, he met her dad and mom — who grilled him on his future plans. It was all very healthful and regular. Except… you already know.
Viewers couldn’t get previous the age distinction. Sure, Dan is 26, solely three years older — however the *seeming* age distinction put folks off. Comments went fairly onerous on clips of the episode on the YouTube web page, claiming:
“I’m sorry, but any man that wants to date her- there is definitely something not right with him. Yes, she is 23, but she looks and talks like an 8 year old. She also does not act like a mature woman. She is childlike! If any man or woman can honestly say that they can see her as a “sexual woman,” they’re both mendacity or sick. PERIOD.”
“Yeah this is super strange and the parents should watch out… Why would he go out of his way to be with someone who still at the most looks 11 years old?”
“Guy 100% has a fetish. Despite how nice of a young woman she may be, she STILL looks like a child”
“I don’t know about this guy… I still think it’s creepy”
“Oh yeah, he’s a creep who just wanted to be on TV”
How did Dan really feel about being known as “creepy”? Well, he truly responded on his Instagram after the episode aired — and he had an opportunity to expertise a few of that backlash!
In a video he defended his personal dates with the truth star, in addition to her proper so far as an grownup lady. He known as out the haters as being “absolutely disgusting,” explaining:
“As soon as you say that she can’t have a real-world connection with someone else, you dehumanize her, which is absolutely disgusting. She is a human being. She deserves to have relationships and connections with whoever she wants. And I think some people aren’t emotionally mature enough to understand that you can have a deep connection based on personality rather than just on looks.”
He additionally mentioned:
“It’s very important to remember that Shauna is an incredible 23-year-old woman who has a disability. 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 an individual. She’s this incredible, inspiring 23-year-old woman who just happens to be a little bit short.”
We actually perceive the sentiment. Everyone deserves to dwell a full life, and her incapacity shouldn’t forestall her from experiencing relationship.
HOWEVER…
Viewers are clearly simply involved for her realizing there are going to be some creeps on the market who’re drawn to Shauna Rae particularly as a result of she appears and seems like somewhat lady. Her dad and mom even talked about their very own concern about her appears attracting a pedophile on the present. It’s completely unfair for her, however sadly, that’s the world we dwell in, and that’s why they’re fearful. So how does she type this out? It’s not a straightforward query. If it was us, we’d in all probability have to contemplate issues like… How did they first meet her? Was it in individual the place they obtained to know her over time? Maybe in an internet scenario the place they couldn’t see each other?
Or was it, say, seeing her on TV or social media first — making a very superficial connection like that after which taking the subsequent step? In his video, Dan explains that he noticed Shauna on the primary season of her TV present and was “inspired by her emotional strength.” He then despatched her flowers out of nowhere, together with the message:
“Go live your best life. Wishing you all the happiness you deserve.”
They began messaging on-line from there, and he flew from Wales to go to her in Long Island.
So he was a complete stranger to her earlier than this, then he noticed her on TV and reached out? Some would name {that a} pink flag even when she was 5′ 9. We imply, folks attain out to actuality stars not likely realizing them on a regular basis, and contemplating his IG feed has aspiring influencer vibes, we wouldn’t be stunned if folks puzzled if there was some clout chasing concerned.
But what do YOU assume, Perezcious readers? Are viewers misjudging right here? Does this case set off any alarm bells for you? Let us know within the feedback (beneath)!
Wishing Shauna a lot of enjoyable, real love, and good instances. She deserves to be completely happy similar to everybody else.
[Image via Dan Swygart/Instagram.]
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