Featured Image Credit: dan.swygart/Instagram
Topics: News
Charisa Bossinakis
A man labeled a ‘creep’ for dating a woman 'trapped in a child’s body' has been defended by his parents.
Dan Swygart, 26, stirred up some controversy when he was romantically linked to 23-year-old Shauna Rae Lesick.
Shauna is three feet and 10 inches tall, and weighs around 50 pounds (22.6kg).
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She underwent chemotherapy after being diagnosed with brain cancer as a child and, in turn, suffered damage to her pituitary gland, which affected her growth and caused her to develop pituitary dwarfism.
She has opened up about her dating struggles due to her appearance on her TLC reality show I Am Shauna Rae.
The series, which debuted last year, recently featured Shauna and Dan going on several dates.
However, Dan has attracted significant backlash online, with many deeming him a ‘creep’ for dating someone with a child-like appearance.
But his parents have hit back at criticism, insisting that he and Shauna aren't dating at all and are just ‘friends’.
His mother Helen told Daily Mail: “Daniel rang me and told me the story has gone everywhere.”
She added: “They are just friends. There is no relationship.
“They are friends.”
Meanwhile, his father, Steven, said: “He has appeared in their show and that's the extent of it.
“That's it, it's as simple as that.
“He looks at her and thinks she is a tremendous person despite her disability, she's only small.”
When asked if he thought the two would develop a romantic connection, Steven said it was ‘unlikely’.
In a recent Instagram video, the 26-year-old also defended their relationship.
He said: “The way me and Shauna met is I saw the first season of the show and I was really inspired by her emotional strength, so I sent her some flowers and a card that said, ‘Go live your best life, wishing you all the happiness you deserve.’”
The Welshman added that he knew he would receive hate by going on the show.
He continued: “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.”
In response to his video, one person wrote: “Well said Dan. I appreciate your coming into our lives.”
While another commented: “Dan is nothing but a gentleman. I’m proud to call him a friend.”