26-year-old Shauna Rae from Long Island, New York, has faced a unique challenge throughout her life all because of a unique, rare medical condition. When she was a child, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. She was faced with a life-changing problem when the necessary chemotherapy she went through adversely affected her pituitary gland.
This led to stunted growth and resulted in Shauna growing to only 3 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing roughly 50 pounds. This left her looking like an eight-year-old child. She went into full remission from her brain cancer, but her appearance has impacted her life since. This has affected her dating experiences and personal safety.
Navigating Misconceptions in Daily Life
Faced with daily misunderstandings from others, Shauna’s youthful appearance has affected her quality of life. Recounting her struggles where she has been mistaken for a child, her life has been far from easy. She has often been offered the children’s menu at restaurants and been prevented from leaving medical institutes without an adult’s consent.
“I’ve had multiple issues with people not believing me when I told them my age,” she shared. This common misconception for her has been tremendously inconvenient and equally societally unacceptable, leaving Shauna Rae judged daily.
The Dark Side of Dating
Dating was one of the hardest facets for Shauna Rae. She has attracted unwanted attention due to her appearance and faced many opportunistic individuals with ulterior motives. “A big conversation that comes up with me is grooming and predatory behavior,” she explained. “It’s very easy to be prey in this world as a tiny little girl.” She has been left doubtful and in fear, cautious around every turn.
Parental Guidance and Protective Measures
Shauna’s parents have been proactive in offering her guidance, aware of the potential dangers their daughter faces. They have emphasized how important their scrutinizing of anyone who has shown interest in their daughter has been. “My parents were like, ‘Look, any guy that’s interested in you, you have to read into them. Because there’s a chance it could be about your size,'” Shauna recalled.
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Developing a Keen Sense for Red Flags
This guidance has helped Shauna Rae detect bad intentions in people. She emphasized how one major red flag is when people overly focus on her physical appearance. “I’ve just developed the ability to spot someone who may not have the best intentions because they give themselves away,” she said.
“Their questions are very targeted towards my physicality… They’re learning about me like I’m a specimen in a lab.” This impressive awareness has proven to be crucial in her protecting herself from potential physical harm.
Overcoming Past Trauma
Shauna’s journey has been far from easy, and sometimes painful. She found herself in an abusive relationship in her late teen years. “It started with physically grabbing my wrist and then, getting mad at video games and going to punch the couch that I’m, like, right next to,” she recounted.
This abuse only escalated over time and led her to recognize how important setting firm boundaries in relationships matters. Reflecting on that period, she admitted, “I was very used to being in abusive situations.”
Building Healthy Relationships
Shauna Rae remains hopeful, despite the challenges she has faced. She is optimistic that genuine connection is possible, building a foundation strong in friendship. “What you want to look for is building a friendship, building a base,” she advised.
She is currently in a relationship but has chosen to protect their identity as it may affect their personal and professional life. “Neither one of us care if his face is out there. I more worry because he has a nice job. I don’t want anything bad going to the job,” she explained.
Advocacy and Raising Awareness
Facing such struggles has led to Shauna being an advocate for others who may be facing similar challenges. She aims to raise awareness by sharing her story, the difficulties posed by her condition, and the scrutiny she regularly faces from society. If her journey has taught us anything, it’s that greater awareness and sensitivity are necessary toward people who may be perceived as different from societal norms.
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