The man who dated a woman trapped in the body of an eight-year-old boy talks about his relationship

• Dan Swygart, 26, dated Shauna Rae Lesick in December.
• Shauna’s growth was stunted as a side effect of brain cancer treatment
• He has now updated their relationship and revealed that they are friends

A man branded ‘sick’ for dating a 23-year-old woman trapped in an eight-year-old’s body has updated their relationship, explaining the pair are ‘still good friends’. they continue to “get to know each other”.

Dan Swygart, 26, came under fire back in December after dating Shauna Rae Lesick, whose growth was stunted as a side effect of brain cancer treatment she received as an infant.

Shauna – who is three feet 10 inches tall and weighs 50 pounds, the average size of a third-grader – first started talking to Dan, who is from Wales, on social media and after chatting for a while decided to go for it. in his hometown of Long Island, New York to meet in person.

Their meeting was documented in an episode of the TLC reality series I Am Shauna Rae, but after Dan appeared on the show, he was bombarded with a barrage of backlash from people who questioned his motives and called the pairing “weird.” because of his “disturbing” “childlike appearance”.

Shortly after, Dan announced that they had decided it was better to be friends than romantic partners.

Now he has revealed where he and Shauna stand – three months after the episode premiered.

Sharing the news on Instagram Stories, Dan wrote: “Literally every single time I go on Facebook or YouTube all I see are videos of me and Shauna.”

He added: “Me and Shauna are still good friends, we know each other.”

Dan previously explained that he reached out to Shauna after watching the first season of her show and being “inspired by her emotional strength.”

She sent him flowers and a card that said, “Go live your best life. I wish you all the happiness you deserve.

They then began messaging online before he flew to New York to visit her, where they went on a date – all of which was shown on the show.

During the episode, Shauna gushed about how ‘similar’ she and Dan – who is a big traveler and often escapes on various holidays – are ‘similar’, explaining that his adventures ‘piqued her interest’.

The pair spent their first day together in an aquarium and escape room and were joined by their 18-year-old half-sister Rylee.

In another episode of the show, Dan came over to his house to make sushi rolls.

“I hadn’t really thought about whether Dan and I were in a relationship and what that would look like,” Shauna said during the show.

“I suppose we’d probably try long-distance, but I’ve been in a long-distance relationship and it’s not my cup of tea.”

Dan’s visit to America ended with him hanging out with her while bartending at a charity event. They did an awkward slow dance before he left.

“I’m sure I’ll see Dan again,” she told the camera. “He’ll be back.”

Shauna was six months old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor.

He underwent surgery and three years of chemotherapy – and although the treatment was successful, his pituitary gland – which oversees and regulates many body functions by producing hormones – went into a near-dormant state, so his growth stopped.

With the help of synthetic hormone injections, he was able to grow another eight inches, but when he was 16, his doctor told him that his bones had fused and he would not grow any more.

After the episode aired, many people flooded the YouTube comments section with their thoughts on Dan and Shauna’s relationship, with some calling it “concerning,” “uncomfortable,” “creepy” and “not right.”

“I’m sorry, but the fact that you noticed her online and contacted her on purpose makes me uncomfortable as looks are usually the first and most important impression you make online,” one person wrote.

“It would be completely different if they met by chance in real life and he fell in love with her for her character and seemed to see past her childlike appearance.

– Dan is almost specifically attracted to her BECAUSE she is small, which is worrying. I’m sorry.’

“I’m sorry, but any man who wants to date her must have something wrong,” added another.

“Yes, he’s 23, but he looks and talks like an eight-year-old.” She doesn’t act like a mature woman. Childish.

“If any man or woman can honestly say that they consider her a ‘sexual woman,’ they are either lying or sick. PERIOD.’

‘Yes, this is very strange and parents should be careful… Why would you go out of your way to be with someone who still looks no more than 11?’ someone else asked.

“I’m a guy and Shauna seems very naive about the world and there are men who are very charismatic or good looking who can use people.

“I hope it’s legitimate, and if it is, it’s very lucky because predatory men are more likely to be into it.”

– The guy 100 percent has a fetish. Despite what a lovely young woman she is, she STILL looks like a child,” said another user.

“I don’t know about this guy… I still think he’s creepy,” another viewer agreed, while a sixth message said: “He’s looking a bit weird. I think it has a weird twist. age

“Oh yeah, he’s a creep who just wanted to be on TV,” someone else wrote.

“Yes, he’s grown up, but he looks like a child.” His body looks like a child. It’s sad that most of the guys who want to date her are probably like that, but it’s the truth,” said another person.

Following the negative response, Dan shared a video on Instagram clapping back at the haters, calling their accusations “absolutely disgusting.”

“Me and Shauna are just good friends, getting to know each other,” he said at the time.

“He survived cancer as a child, he always felt different and was treated differently by society.

“How dare you take away from him the right to have a relationship, a friendship, a relationship with someone else?

“Who are you to say he can’t have this?” I am completely disgusted by the attitude of some people and my friendship with him.

He also admitted that “despite all the hate” some “wonderful things” have come out of his appearance on the show.

He added that he hopes others who may be living with a disability can watch it and hope that they too can “make a connection with someone”.

“I’m very proud to have had such a positive impact on the world,” Dan continued.

“So many people with disabilities, or their friends and family with disabilities, have reached out and said, ‘Thank you for showing this.’

“It’s okay to develop a friendship with someone who is different according to social norms.

“He gave so many people hope that despite being different, they too could find a wonderful friendship and connection with someone.”