TLC reality TV star Shauna Rae is just like your average 20-something with one major exception. Due to a childhood battle with brain cancer, Shauna has the body of an 8-year-old girl.
You can imagine how that might make certain things challenging, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Now, Shauna's "friend", a man named Dan Swygart, is speaking out in defense of his and Shauna's unconventional relationship.
The star of I Am Shauna Rae, enjoys paddleboarding, gorging herself on sushi, and has aspirations toward world travel.
Shauna had a near-fatal battle with brain cancer as a child — the results of which permanently stunted her growth.
Shauna's story has been extensively covered in the TLC reality series, but Season 2 introduced a new element into the fold.
The two met on social media, and shortly after Shauna received flowers sent from Dan. Not long afterward, he began making the trek from Wales to Long Island to visit.
Several I Am Shauna Rae viewers quickly began to question Dan's motivation and intentions, prompting him to respond.
"But I think it's absolutely disgusting the attitude of some people. She's been through so much in life. She survived cancer as a child, she's always felt different and been treated differently by society."
![Shauna Rae saying, "He looks like a [expletive] boy," on 'I Am Shauna Rae'.](https://imgb.srgcdn.com/682b0f0d-a3d0-4215-83bb-a8a834642476.gif)
Swygart claimed that it was Shauna's emotional strength that first drew him to her and that the basis of their relationship wasn't sexual.
"Well said[sic] Dan," Patty commented on his post. "I appreciate your coming into our lives."
"I do think Dan and I have a ton of potential," Shauna said during a show confessional. "It's just a matter of if we are going in the same direction at the same time."
