A woman with dwarfism has hit back at trolls who told her to “date her own kind” after finding love with a man two feet taller than her.
Caitlin Hellyer has been with partner Guy for more than three years, but their relationship has come under fire online due to him being a decade her senior and significantly taller than her.
The 24-year-old is subject to daily critique from people who accuse Guy, 34, of “losing a bet” or likening Caitlin to a child.
“Every day I read comments implying it is wrong that we’re in a relationship,” Caitlin, a content creator from Devon, told Need To Know.
“According to the haters’ opinions, my body resembles a child’s.
“Bearing in mind I have a 28FF chest and very womanly curves – it is a ridiculous belief.
“I am a woman, who happens to be 3’8 tall.
“Admittedly, I have stayed awake at night thinking about some of the comments I receive – but love prevails all.
“And I believe the people who think this and have the audacity to comment are quite close-minded.
“It’s 2026 and we have come a long way in terms of diversity.
“Just because I have dwarfism, it does not limit me to only dating men with dwarfism.
“It is like telling brunettes they can only date other brunettes.
“I should not have to justify my preference either.
“They also need to be aware that they have a physical privilege of being conventional so they do not have the same problems when it comes to dating.
Pictured: Caitlin Hellyer.
VIDEO: Woman with dwarfism told to ‘date own kind’ after finding love with man two feet taller
A woman with dwarfism has hit back at trolls who told her to “date her own kind” afte
“If they were in my shoes, they would not be saying those things.”
In response to a cruel comment on one of her TikToks, which urged her to “date her own kind”, Caitlin said: “People with dwarfism are human.
“We’re not ‘a kind’, we’re not aliens, or fantasy characters – we are humans.
“We operate like the rest of you – we’re just a little bit shorter, that’s all it is.
“When it comes to dating, people have preferences, and that is completely fine.
“Some people with dwarfism prefer to date other people with dwarfism, and that’s who they are attracted to, and easier for them lifestyle-wise.
“On the other hand, it’s perfectly OK for a person with dwarfism to date an average height man or woman.
“I prefer to date an average height man because that’s who I’m attracted to and bond with the most – that’s what I prefer.
“There’s no rhyme or reason.
“An attraction to somebody isn’t objective and shouldn’t have to be, because you have a genetic condition or ‘look different’ from other people.
“I’m not going to limit myself to dating within my condition because people say I have to, or because that’s what other people think [I should do].
“When I was dating before I met my boyfriend, I put myself out there, on the apps and social media, and spoke to average height men in clubs.
“I don’t always have to be a fetish.
“People can be attracted to me because they’re attracted to me – it doesn’t have to be for a specific reason, or wrong.
“It is not wrong to be attracted to someone with dwarfism if you’re of average height.”
Caitlin and Guy connected online in 2022 after Guy sent her a friend request on Facebook.
Eight weeks later, Caitlin decided to respond, noticing they had a lot in common from his profile and finding him attractive.
After meeting in person shortly afterwards, the two have been “glued at the hip” ever since.
The couple are set to move to the Isle of Man this Spring, where Caitlin feels “safer” than in city environments.
As for other future plans? Children are firmly off the cards.
Caitlin added: “We do not want to get married or have children.
“I fought to be sterilised in 2023 and had my surgery in 2024.
“I chose to be sterilised because my body struggles with contraceptives, and I do not want children as I do not want the lifestyle or stress that comes with them.
“It is the best decision I have made.
“A lot of people think I want children to prove a point, but I enjoy my child-free lifestyle, and look forward to adventures with Guy and our miniature dachshund, Keith.”
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