The 23-year-old woman who is trapped in an 8-year-old’s body revealed she and her boyfriend have split after receiving backlash about their relationship.
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Shauna Rae Lesick, 23, dated Dan Swygart, 26, and their relationship was documented in a recent episode of her TLC show, ‘I Am Shauna Rae.’ Swygart received backlash for the relationship after appearing in the episode, and he was labeled a creep for dating someone who resembled a child. However, he stated in a recent Instagram video that due to the negative publicity, he and Lesick decided to end their relationship and remain friends.
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‘Me and Shauna are just good friends, we’re getting to know each other. But I think it’s absolutely disgusting, the attitude of some people. She’s been through so much in life. Shauna’s stunted growth is a side effect of brain cancer treatment that she received as an infant. She is seen center with some friends.She survived cancer as a child, she’s always felt different and was treated different by society. How dare you take away her right to have a connection, a friendship, a relationship with someone else? Who are you to say that she can’t have that? I am absolutely disgusted by some people’s attitudes towards her and my friendship with her.’
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According to the Daily Mail, Swygart said he was decided to reach out to Shauna after learning about her story after watching the first season of her show and sent her a card with flowers that said: ‘Go live your best life. Wishing you all the happiness you deserve.’ The couple remained in contact with each other on social media until Swygart flew out to Long Island, New York to meet Shauna.
After meeting in person, the pair went on several dates which was filmed on the show. Additionally, he feels like their relationship has left a lasting impact as people with disabilities have the right to have long lasting relationships and friendships.
‘So many people who have disabilities or they have friends and family who have disabilities have reached out and said, “Thank you for showcasing that. It’s OK to build a connection of friendship with someone who’s different by society standards. It’s given so many people hope that despite them being different, they too can find an amazing friendship and connection with someone.’
During the show, Shauna’a family questioned his intentions and she said she was planning to go with the flow in terms of their relationship.
‘I haven’t talked about it with Dan. I’m kind of letting it go as it may, but it’s nice kind of try to see if he can answer it. I haven’t actually really thought about if Dan and I were in a relationship and how that would look. I assume that we would probably try long distance, but I’ve been in a long-distance relationship and it’s not my cup of tea.’