Shauna Rae Stands Strong Against Trolls Judging Her Dwarfism

TLC star Shauna Rae has shared she plans to freeze her eggs in the hopes of becoming a mother in the future

“My disability has nothing to do with how I’d carry a child. It would probably be an automatic C-section versus a natural birth just because I am small and children are large. I know plenty of people with dwarfism who’ve had children,” she continued. 

Shauna was born with a malignant (cancerous) glioma on the right side of her brain and underwent immediate surgery at 6 months old. She then began chemotherapy, a treatment that led to remission.

When she was in kindergarten, doctors noticed that she was significantly shorter than her classmates and peers.

Ultimately, after going on and off growth hormones, Shauna was diagnosed with pituitary dwarfism at the age of sixteen, a side-effect of her brain cancer and subsequent chemotherapy.

The 25-year-old famously appeared on the reality show I Am Shauna Rae, which documents Shauna’s life as an adult with pituitary dwarfism

“I always thought about the idea of having children. When I was sixteen, I deemed it improbable and [thought it was] not gonna happen,” Shauna said.

In the video, the young woman revealed that her doctors assessed her fertility at 0.6 on a scale of 1 to 10, a drop from the 0.8 she had shown two months prior. Scores below one are considered low fertility.

“I really wanted to freeze my eggs, but I can’t afford it. My insurance doesn’t cover it. I could be infertile for all I know, and it absolutely sucks. I don’t know how much time I have. 

“I don’t even know if I want this, but it’s been taken away from me, and that’s not OK,” she said, adding that her fertility scares her because of the “financial, social, and self-acceptance battle.”

Shauna was born with brain cancer and underwent chemotherapy as a child, which later affected her fertility

In many cases, cancer surgery and treatments can be more likely to interfere with parts of the reproductive process than the cancer itself, affecting the ability to have children, the American Cancer Society notes.

For women, chemotherapy can stop the ovaries from working, leading to infertility that can be temporary or permanent. It can also induce menopause, according to Cancer Research UK.

Shauna is uncertain about having children, worried they might face bullying or judgment due to her condition, and she doesn’t want them to feel pressured by that burden.

“I don’t know if I want to bring a kid into this world and be like, ‘This is the situation you have to deal with. And it’s not your fault; you don’t actually have to live with it, but because I’m your mom, you have to put up with it and stand up for me.’ 

“That’s a lot of pressure for a kid. It was a lot of pressure for me growing up.”

Growing up, she watched one of her brothers, Shawn, go through that situation. “He would have to deal with people dealing with me. And it’s not fair. I don’t think it would be fair to my child. I don’t want to put that pressure on someone who doesn’t even know what life is.”

“I always thought about the idea of having children. When I was sixteen, I deemed it improbable and [thought it was] not gonna happen,” Shauna said

Despite the uncertainty, Shauna wants to plan ahead, so she has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the expensive egg-freezing procedures.

“My insurance doesn’t cover it and it’s a multi-thousand-dollar process that I cannot afford and I don’t even know if they would get anything out of it. 

“They say you have to do two surgery procedures to get really good results, and I don’t know if I could afford that twice.

“I don’t have longer than six or so months until I potentially become infertile (…) Anything at all can help towards a healthy future for myself.”

On the show, she documents the challenges of finding a partner, as her 3’11” stature often “attracts creeps”

Another goal of hers is to raise awareness about people living with pituitary dwarfism, something she’s able to achieve through her show.

“I’m hoping that the I Am Shauna Rae show and anything else via social media can bring awareness to this because I’m not the only person with pituitary dwarfism. Being open and honest about it is the best way to go about it,” said Shauna, who’s preparing to move out of her parents’ house.

On the show, she offers a glimpse into her dating life and the challenges of finding a partner, as she explains that her 3’11” (1.19 m) stature often “attracts creeps.”

Her connection with her ex, Dan Swaygart, was documented in season two. The two broke up in April 2023.

Speaking on The Sarah Fraser Show podcast, Dan said he was judged and categorized “in the most hated group of people on the planet” while he was dating Shauna.

Last December, Shauna revealed that she had found love again with someone whose identity she chose not to disclose.

“All you really need to know is they make me happy and I don’t know if I’d be as far in my goals without them. Please know that all I ask from y’all is to support me and refrain from being hateful toward them or my relationship,” the 25-year-old wrote, covering the person’s face with an emoji in a photo.

Shauna has started a GoFundMe to raise money for a multi-thousand-dollar egg-freezing procedure

Despite her efforts to raise awareness about her condition, Shauna still has to deal with online trolls. Recently, a TikTok user in the chat for complimenting her and then reported her livestream, accusing her of being “under 13.”

The reality star defended herself from critics, saying, “I don’t look like a child. If you meet me in person, I look like an adult. I’m just short. And I may potentially not be able to have babies. And none of this affects my womanhood.”

A Unique Journey Through Adulthood

Shauna's story began with a life-threatening battle against brain cancer as an infant. The chemotherapy treatments, while life-saving, impacted her pituitary gland, stunting her growth and leading to a diagnosis of pituitary dwarfism at sixteen. Standing at just 3 feet 10 inches tall, Shauna’s appearance often leads to her being mistaken for a child—something she frequently addresses with humor and strength.

The reality show I Am Shauna Rae offers viewers an intimate look into her life, from navigating romantic relationships and social situations to overcoming the physical and emotional hurdles associated with her condition. It’s a candid portrayal that aims to dismantle stereotypes and highlight her journey toward independence.

In a recent emotional social media video, Shauna shared her aspiration to become a mother and her plans to freeze her eggs, a process she hopes will help her preserve the option of starting a family in the future. However, fertility treatments are expensive, leading Shauna to launch a GoFundMe campaign to fund the procedures.

She explained that the chemotherapy she received as a child may have adversely affected her fertility, a common but often overlooked side effect of cancer treatment. “I want to have a future where I can become a mom,” she said, tearing up. “This is not just about me—this is about giving myself a chance to experience motherhood, despite the challenges I face.”

Unfortunately, Shauna’s openness has made her a target for online trolls who criticize her appearance, question her maturity, or make inappropriate remarks. Some even go so far as to claim she "doesn't look like an adult," a hurtful judgment that Shauna has had to confront repeatedly.

In her defense, Shauna emphasizes that maturity and capability are not defined by physical appearance. “I don’t look like a child,” she asserts. “I am a woman with dreams, goals, and struggles just like anyone else. My height does not define who I am or what I can achieve.”

Her message resonates with others facing similar challenges and raises awareness about the importance of empathy and understanding when it comes to conditions like pituitary dwarfism.

While she faces negativity online, Shauna has also built a strong support system. Many fans and followers admire her strength and honesty, expressing their solidarity through social media and donations to her fertility fund. Her story has sparked important discussions about medical conditions, fertility challenges for cancer survivors, and the importance of treating people with respect, regardless of their appearance.

Shauna Rae’s journey is far from over. As she continues to share her experiences, she hopes to inspire others who face similar challenges and to educate the public about the realities of living with pituitary dwarfism. Her dreams of motherhood highlight the universal desire for love, family, and acceptance—proof that despite the trolls, Shauna’s story is one of courage and hope.