Caitlin Hellyer, 24, has been with her partner, Guy, for more than three years – but their relationship has come under fire online due to him being a decade older than her and significantly taller
A woman with dwarfism has slammed online 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 her partner, Guy, for more than three years, but their relationship has attracted fierce criticism online due to him being a decade older than her and significantly taller.
The 24-year-old faces daily abuse from people who accuse Guy, 34, of “losing a bet” or compare Caitlin to a child. “Every day I read comments suggesting it is wrong that we’re in a relationship,” said Caitlin, a content creator from Devon.
“According to the haters’ opinions, my body resembles a child’s. Bearing in mind I have a 28FF chest and very womanly curves, it’s a ridiculous belief. I am a woman who happens to be 3ft 8ins tall.
“Admittedly, I have stayed awake at night thinking about some of the comments I receive – but love prevails above all. And I believe the people who think this and have the audacity to comment are 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 the physical privilege of being conventional, so they do not face the same challenges when it comes to dating. If they were in my shoes, they would not be saying those things.”
Responding to a harsh comment on one of her TikToks telling her to “date her own kind”, Caitlin retorted: “People with dwarfism are human. We’re not ‘a kind’, we’re not aliens or fantasy characters – we are human beings.
“We operate like the rest of you – we’re just a little bit shorter, that’s all. 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 it can be 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 just my preference. There’s no rhyme or reason.
“Attraction isn’t objective and shouldn’t have to be, just 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 others think I should do.
“When I was dating before I met my boyfriend, I put myself out there – on 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 be seen as wrong. It is not wrong to be attracted to someone with dwarfism if you’re of average height.”
The pair first connected digitally in 2022 when Guy reached out to Caitlin with a Facebook friend request. Two months passed before Caitlin chose to reply, having spotted their shared interests and being drawn to his looks.
Their first face-to-face encounter followed swiftly, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. The duo are planning to relocate to the Isle of Man in the spring, where Caitlin says she’ll feel more secure than in urban settings.
When it comes to their future together, starting a family isn’t on the agenda. Caitlin explained: “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 don’t want the lifestyle or stress that comes with them.
“It is the best decision I have ever 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.”