A woman who feels "trapped in a child's body" continues her search for love despite previous dating attempts causing controversy.

Despite the backlash she received after her latest date, 23-year-old Shauna Rae says she remains open to finding a partner.

As a child, Shauna was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Rae's growth was significantly hindered as a result of undergoing chemotherapy.

The chemotherapy caused harm to her pituitary gland, leading to the development of pituitary dwarfism.

As an adult, Rae weighs only 50 pounds and stands at the height of a typical young child, which is just 3ft 10in.

The TLC show "I am Shauna Rae" follows the 23-year-old's experiences in her quest for love.

Her recent relationship with Welshman Dan Swygart, 26, sparked controversy on the internet, with some calling him a "creep" for dating someone who appears childlike.

One YouTube user posted: "Yes, she is 23, but she looks and talks like an eight-year-old. She also does not act like a mature woman. She is childlike."

Swygart has publicly rebuked critics in an Instagram video, where he defended his decision to enter into a relationship with the 23-year-old.

He said: "Me and Shauna are still just really good friends getting to know each other, but I think it's absolutely disgusting, the attitude of some people."

"How dare you take away her right, her human right, to have a connection, a friendship, a relationship with someone else? Who are you to say that she can't have that?" Shauna added.

The criticism was so severe that Dan's parents became involved in order to defend their son.

In an interview with the media, his mother stated: "They are just friends. There is no relationship. They are friends."

Dan's father also added in the same interview: "He has appeared in their show and that's the extent of it."

"That's it, it's as simple as that."

In the latest installment of "I am Shauna Rae," Shauna prepares for a blind date with a fresh potential match.

The 23-year-old admitted to having apprehension about going on her first ever blind date, confessing to having "a bunch of worries."

Shauna was driven to the location of her blind date by her father and sister.

During the drive, Shauna turns to her father and inquires: "Do you want to give the guy another strike?"

Her father, confused, asked Shauna, "What happened?"

"He cancelled!" Shauna revealed.

Later, Shauna revealed that the potential date had backed out, citing nervousness.

"I was relieved when he cancelled," the 23-year-old explained.

"It just kind of showed all of these characteristics I don't want in a person in my life," she added.

The three of them decided to turn the day around and make the best of the situation by going bowling together.

Shauna said: "Even though it was supposed to be a date, I probably enjoyed it better this way with my family then I would with a complete stranger."

"I'm still open," she concluded.