- 7 months ago
Three confident ladies with one thing in common go on blind dates.
Skylah Claire, 21, who has pseudoachondroplasia and stands 3ft 11", hasn’t had much dating experience and has struggled to find someone who looks beyond her condition. Now, she’s taking a brave step by going on her first blind date. Will she find a real spark?
Model Abby Asani, born with spina bifida, has faced challenges in dating due to people fetishizing her appearance or doubting her ability to have a normal romantic life. She refuses to let those assumptions define her, saying, “I just have a disability, it’s not that serious.”
Celia, 26, who has diastrophic dysplasia and stands 3ft 3", grew up shy about her size but has since found her confidence as a Spanish teacher. Ready to date, she’s stepping into the world with self-assurance, great hopes and an open heart.
Love, like confidence, begins from within—and the right person will always see your light before your limits.
Skylah Claire, 21, who has pseudoachondroplasia and stands 3ft 11", hasn’t had much dating experience and has struggled to find someone who looks beyond her condition. Now, she’s taking a brave step by going on her first blind date. Will she find a real spark?
Model Abby Asani, born with spina bifida, has faced challenges in dating due to people fetishizing her appearance or doubting her ability to have a normal romantic life. She refuses to let those assumptions define her, saying, “I just have a disability, it’s not that serious.”
Celia, 26, who has diastrophic dysplasia and stands 3ft 3", grew up shy about her size but has since found her confidence as a Spanish teacher. Ready to date, she’s stepping into the world with self-assurance, great hopes and an open heart.
Love, like confidence, begins from within—and the right person will always see your light before your limits.
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FunTranscript
00:00I am bigger than my dwarfism. I'm 3-11-21 and looking for love.
00:05I got set up on a blind date today. I'm a little anxious just because I don't know what to expect, but I'm excited.
00:13He's a few minutes late, but it's not looking good.
00:17I'm changing my background. My phone background has another guy on it. He's a guy I'm talking to.
00:23My name is Skyla Pinnell. I'm from Crossville, Tennessee.
00:27I'm 3-11-21 and looking for love.
00:30So today I'm going on my very first, to be honest, really my first date ever, but my first blind date.
00:38And, you know, obviously going on a date is nerve-wracking in itself, but going on a blind date is, you know, another story.
00:47I try to look my best every day though because, you know, as a little person, everyone's always staring at you.
00:52And so, you know, if they're going to stare at you, might as well give them something good to look at.
00:56I don't know if he knows I'm little, so that's the only thing that is getting me a little anxiety feeling, but I'm trying to be optimistic.
01:05I like somebody who is funny and smart, handsome and caring. I have a nerdy type, believe it or not.
01:15My name is Nathaniel. I'm from Crossville, Tennessee. 26 years old. Right now I'm a quality inspector.
01:20I kind of think I don't have type, but then of course my friends, they can show me preferences.
01:24I guess like short girls, high energy, but then at the same time can relax.
01:30I'm feeling a little nervous because it's a blind date. I don't know anything about my date, actually. I really don't.
01:36It's as blind as blind can be.
01:38He's a few minutes late. This is not looking good.
01:42I'm changing my background. My phone background has another guy on it. He's a guy I'm talking to.
01:49Hi, how are you? How's it going? I'm Skyla. I'm eight. Nice to meet you.
01:58Is this your first blind date? Yes. Me too. This is wild. It's like, whew.
02:03A sign of a good first date is when they're asking me not just about my dwarfism, but about like other things.
02:09They're trying to really get to know me. How old are you? 26. 26? You? I'm 21. Oh, okay.
02:15You live in Nashville? No, I live in Crossville. How about you? Clarksville. Oh, okay.
02:20Are you from Tennessee? Yeah. Pretty much, Clarksville's been my home for like eternity.
02:25Oh, yeah? Yeah. What do you like to do for fun? I do a lot of walking.
02:30Like go to different parks, take pictures of nature. I love being outside, even though I play video games for hours on end. Oh, really? Yeah.
02:37I love video games. Let's see. Right now, it's Dark Souls 3. Really? Yeah. My brother loves that game. Oh, yeah.
02:43He played it like 10 times throughout. Yeah, most of my life's been invested in that. All right.
02:50What about you? I too play video games. Oh, what'd you play? Yes.
02:53I'm more of like simulation, so I like sims. I like survival too, like seven days to die. All right.
02:59So what do you do for work? I'm actually a quality inspector. Like I just started probably like two weeks ago.
03:05I just walk around, look at parts, make sure they're good. Like, what do you do?
03:09What do you do? I'm studying psychology. Oh, really? Yeah. I just got my associate's degree.
03:14Oh, okay. Oh, you just finished. I remember in high school, like that's what I loved, psychology.
03:18Oh, really? Yeah, being able to like study somebody by language and all that. I was like super into it.
03:22But then I was like, I don't know, should I pursue it? And I was just like, life happens. So it just didn't happen.
03:29Did you know at all that I was a little person before?
03:33No idea. No idea. Just Skylar. I was just like, that's all I know.
03:39So I have pseudoachondroplasia. It's a disease of the bones that I'm born with and it deteriorates my bones over time.
03:48My mom is the first little person in my family and then I got it and now I have a little brother who also has it.
03:53I get a lot of staring. Definitely a lot more from little kids. You know, they'll be like, why does she look old but she's small?
04:02My dwarfism doesn't define who I am per se because I do have things that are more important than just my dwarfism.
04:09But it is part of everyday life. So I am, I think, good looking and attractive.
04:15But I will say it's harder for me to get somebody who's more genuine than it is for, like, you know, other reasons.
04:23So how do you feel about me being a little person?
04:26I mean, you're a person. Just shorter than the rest. Like, you're still a person.
04:30Like, regardless of, like, I don't have an issue. It doesn't hold you back from anything.
04:34I try not to let it, like, hold me back from anything. But I do have, like, anxiety about it when it comes to certain things.
04:42The world is not built for little people. Every time I go to the store, me and my mom always joke, this is not little people friendly.
04:49You're just going to own it. Like, I know what I am. This is what I got. And the world's going to deal with it.
04:54Yeah, exactly. That's how I think it. I'm like, if people are going to judge me better than they're going to judge me, I can't let that, like, hold me back.
05:00Yeah, exactly. Exactly.
05:02Thank you. I appreciate that. I really do. Do you mind if I get you something real quick?
05:05Go right in. Go right in.
05:06Thank you. I'll be right back.
05:09How do you think it's going so hard?
05:11The conversation is going good, other than that he doesn't ask me much about myself, and he does go on a little bit.
05:20I think it is because he's nervous.
05:22First impressions, just something different, honestly. Like, going on a blind date, you don't know anything.
05:27It was just, like, surprise. I was like, oh. Like, dwarfism. Like, surprise. I was like, okay.
05:32See, I want to see what the issue is. I was like, all right. Yeah.
05:35Sorry about that.
05:36No, you're good. You're good. There's no rush. What are you looking for in a relationship?
05:41Um, in a relationship, I'm looking for somebody who, like, likes to, like, spend time with me, who, like, has future goals and, like, is funny and smart and stuff like that.
05:56So, what about you? What are you looking for?
05:58I'm sure you've seen them. The old people in the parks.
06:00Oh, yeah.
06:01Like, just chilling next to each other. That, that's gold right there. Like, you, me, that's it. Nobody else, but you're still together no matter what.
06:10Well, this has been fun. I've enjoyed getting to know you. Are you almost ready to get on out?
06:19Yeah, it's about the time.
06:20I'm glad that I came. It was very fun and it went good. This made me feel better about dating because maybe some other people will have the same reaction and be more accepting of my condition.
06:31What's the name of the guy that you were texting?
06:33No! I feel like you're making me look bad.
06:36I like Skylar, but, yeah, there wasn't really any romantic feelings.
06:41Did you guys have a good time?
06:42I'd, yeah. I'd say so. Yeah, it was a pretty good time.
06:45Did you feel any kind of romantic connection?
06:47I wouldn't say no.
06:48I didn't either. I thought, I think you're a really good friend.
06:51Right.
06:52So, take care. Have a good trip on the way back.
06:55Study hard.
06:56Thank you, I will. You have a good night.
06:58You too.
06:59Society thinks I don't go on dates or that I'm not intimate.
07:08It's a little weird to me that people really think that.
07:11I just have a disability. It's not that serious.
07:14Alright, so this is more my vibe.
07:16It has a little sexiness.
07:18Today, I'm going on a blind date with a guy I know nothing about.
07:21The reason why I'm standing is because it's like, you can't tell I'm four feet tall when I'm sitting.
07:25So, I'd rather get that awkwardness out.
07:28Yeah.
07:29Oh!
07:30I think there's a misunderstanding that a lot of people think people with disabilities don't date,
07:35which I think is stupid.
07:37The problem that I have with is trying to figure out a man's true intention,
07:41because I think a lot of men have this, like, fetish of being with a smaller woman,
07:45which is, like, ridiculous.
07:47I constantly hear men talk about, oh, I've never been with a smaller woman.
07:52Like, oh, I don't care.
07:53So, that's the really annoying part.
07:55I have spina bifida, which is a birth defect.
07:58Basically, it's an opening in the spine.
08:01When your spine is screwed up, so are all your other organs,
08:04but it doesn't really faze me.
08:06I picked three outfits.
08:07Honestly, picking clothes is, like, hell, because nothing really fits me.
08:12I constantly have to get them either tailored.
08:15And the thing about when you have, like, spina bifida,
08:18the torso is much shorter than the bottom of the body.
08:22Today, I'm going on a blind date with a guy I know nothing about,
08:26so this is great.
08:27I'm very nervous.
08:34Like, I feel like I'm going to throw up.
08:37And the reason why I'm standing is because it's, like,
08:39you can't tell I'm four feet tall when I'm sitting.
08:41So, I'd rather get that awkwardness out, so it's less awkward.
08:45My name's Kofi.
08:48I'm 21 years old, and I'm currently living in Boston, Massachusetts.
08:52What I look for in a partner?
08:54Compatibility.
08:55I mean, somebody that I can probably just have a great conversation with,
08:58somebody that can understand what I do, being a creative in everything,
09:01and, you know, vice versa, somebody that can, you know, pour something into me.
09:08Hello.
09:09Hi.
09:10How are you?
09:11I'm good, how are you?
09:12I'm Abby.
09:13Nice to meet you.
09:14It's there.
09:16This is exciting.
09:17It is.
09:20Are you from Boston?
09:21I am not from Boston.
09:23I studied at Berklee College of Music for a second.
09:26All right.
09:27Took a break for a second.
09:28I'm trying to get back there, but did dual studies at Harvard for a minute, too.
09:31How old are you?
09:3221.
09:33Oh!
09:34Sorry.
09:35How old is Bray?
09:37I'm literally, what the hell?
09:39No offense.
09:41I actually just heard 29.
09:43Oh, nice.
09:44I feel like very grandma.
09:45Grandma?
09:46Why?
09:47Because I'm almost in the 30s.
09:49Oh, no.
09:50That's the best age I hear.
09:53What's your previous experience has been like?
09:55I think most men have a lot of, like, a fetish with smaller women.
09:58Okay.
09:59So talk to me about that, then.
10:00I don't even know what to say.
10:02Is it?
10:03I don't even notice really anything different other than the height.
10:06Really?
10:07Well, they have the fetish.
10:08That's the fetish.
10:09What is your official height?
10:11Four feet.
10:12Four feet?
10:13Yeah.
10:14Okay.
10:15Nice, nice, nice.
10:16These heels are an inch.
10:17Okay.
10:18I didn't even...
10:19Okay, wow.
10:20You didn't notice?
10:21Yeah.
10:22Oh, that's a red flag.
10:23What's your first impression?
10:24He's very handsome and great smile.
10:28Tall, which I like him tall.
10:30And he's honestly very, very sweet.
10:32You can tell he's genuine.
10:34So honestly, like, he seems like a really genuine person.
10:37But I'm so thrown off that he's 21 and I can't get that out of my head.
10:42But I'm trying real hard to, like, look past that.
10:45So, what are your thoughts on people with disabilities?
10:51People with disabilities?
10:52I have no thoughts on that, honestly.
10:53I really don't.
10:54I don't look for that.
10:57So, I mean, my opinion is what you have considered a disability?
11:02Yes, I have spina bifida.
11:03Oh, okay.
11:04I didn't know what it was.
11:05Yeah.
11:06Is that something you're born with?
11:07Yeah, it's a birth effect.
11:08So you're born with that.
11:09Okay.
11:10Let's get lucky and he's like, ah, that's what you get.
11:13Growing up with spina bifida, honestly, it was difficult because there was a lot of bullying
11:18and I didn't understand, like, what was happening.
11:22It started as early as first grade.
11:24So I didn't really feel like I had the support I needed as a young child to reach out to someone
11:31for help or for guidance.
11:33So what do you see in the next person or the individual you choose to try to look for?
11:37The ideal person is someone who's definitely done a lot of work on themselves.
11:40Yeah.
11:41And, um, because I'm not coming in to save you.
11:44Like, we're not doing that anymore.
11:46Okay.
11:47No.
11:48So that's literally my ideal person.
11:50What's yours?
11:51Person?
11:52Uh, somebody that's compatible.
11:53Somebody that can...
11:54Well, what is compatible for you?
11:56Well, doing music, being in the arts, you know, I feel like just somebody that can understand
12:00the work that goes into that, you know, understanding my day-to-day is different.
12:04Yeah.
12:05For work or career, what do you do?
12:09I work for an agency helping those who are on Section 8.
12:14Okay.
12:15Assisting them in low-income housing.
12:16That's what I do.
12:17But obviously my other side thing is modeling.
12:19That's literally what I love and care about and passionate about.
12:23Honestly, being in front of a camera, for me, it's very, like, natural.
12:26It doesn't feel awkward at all.
12:27It doesn't feel like I don't get nerves.
12:29And I really took it serious, I would say, like, the past two years,
12:32that I've really been doing the professional stuff and actually building my portfolio.
12:37Modeling has helped me feel more comfortable within my skin and myself.
12:43You want some?
12:44Want a fry?
12:45Yeah.
12:46What's your zodiac sign?
12:47Oh, my God.
12:48The zodiac sign question?
12:49Yeah.
12:50I felt like that was coming.
12:51Um, I'm a Libra.
12:52What?
12:53What are you?
12:54Sorry.
12:55I'm a Libra.
12:56Wait, wait, wait.
12:57Don't tell me your birthday.
12:58Did it already happen?
12:59It did.
13:00Oh, so you're September 29th.
13:01No, October 1st.
13:03Oh.
13:04I hate the bread man.
13:05No.
13:06Wait, it was just, uh...
13:07Yeah, it was Friday.
13:08Oh, happy birthday.
13:09So you just turned 29?
13:11No, I know.
13:12You're 28.
13:13This went pretty good.
13:14I mean, in my eyes, I really enjoyed, you know, talking to Abby and learning more about
13:19her and, you know, everything that kind of goes into being her.
13:23This was so fun.
13:24I really enjoyed it.
13:25I had a great time.
13:26He definitely met my criteria.
13:28He's tall and handsome.
13:29I don't know.
13:30Would I like to take her out on another date?
13:32Um, I'm not opposed to, uh, to considering that.
13:35I mean, I think she's a great person.
13:37But, uh, I think we'd probably be great friends and everything like that.
13:40I don't know about a romantic relationship or anything of that sort.
13:43I don't think he was bothered by my disability.
13:45This dating experience has taught me that you really have to be open-minded.
13:49Especially when it comes to age.
13:50I think we're just stuck on, like, well, they have to be a certain age to be mature.
13:53That's not the case.
13:54My name is Celia.
14:05I'm 27 years old.
14:08I was born with diastrophic dysplasia.
14:10My dwarfism did help me back a lot because I was shy and society can be cruel.
14:16My condition definitely does not define who I am.
14:20It's been almost four years since my last relationship.
14:22This is my first blind date.
14:24Hi.
14:25How's it going?
14:26Nice to meet you.
14:27So today I chose this outfit.
14:32It's a black jumpsuit.
14:33It's very comfortable and it's perfect for today's weather.
14:37I was probably six years old when I realized that I had this condition.
14:43When I was a kid it was okay because I didn't really know much about it until I started to
14:50get older and I realized that other kids were growing and I was not.
14:55So I started to see the differences.
14:57My dwarfism did help me back a lot because I was shy and society can be cruel.
15:04And so it definitely held me back.
15:06I was very self-conscious.
15:08But things have changed.
15:09You learn to embrace your condition and that's what I did.
15:13I mean I had no choice but to do so.
15:16It was either that or being completely depressed.
15:19I like to date someone with humor because that's how I am.
15:23I have a good sense of humor and also someone who shows a lot of respect.
15:28Someone who's educated and someone who is not afraid of what other people think because that's definitely something that I look for.
15:37I just want to make sure that I'm not uncomfortable or that they're not uncomfortable when we're dating.
15:44Paul Ellison Jr., military brat.
15:47I was around a lot.
15:48I've been in California for 16 years now.
15:51Now I work as a police officer and actor.
15:55I don't really have any expectations.
15:57I just want to go in pretty open and blank.
16:00So if I don't expect anything I can't.
16:03Nothing can go wrong.
16:04Hi, how's it going?
16:08Nice to meet you.
16:09Celia.
16:10What's your name?
16:11Celia.
16:12Celia.
16:13Oh, nice to meet you.
16:14Nice to meet you.
16:15How are you?
16:16I'm having a lemonade.
16:17It's good?
16:18Yeah.
16:19So how old are you?
16:20Don't mind me asking.
16:2130.
16:22How old are you?
16:23I'm 27.
16:24Almost 28.
16:25Okay.
16:26Yeah.
16:27That's not too far.
16:28No, not at all.
16:29I'll probably get something like that.
16:30Yeah?
16:31It's pretty good.
16:32Yeah.
16:33Have you ever been on a blind date?
16:34No, I've never been on a blind date.
16:35Have you?
16:36Me neither.
16:37No.
16:38So when was the last time you dated someone?
16:40Like actual relationship?
16:42It was a year, but it was a really long relationship.
16:46Oh, okay.
16:47Okay.
16:48It was like a nine year relationship.
16:50Oh, wow.
16:51Yeah.
16:52That's a long time.
16:53Yeah.
16:54Wow.
16:55What about you?
16:56Let's see, my last one was like four years ago.
16:58And it lasted two years, roughly two years.
17:02Normally when I go on a date with someone, I make sure beforehand that it's someone that
17:07is okay with my condition.
17:09I let them know ahead of time that I'm a little person just to make sure that they don't insult
17:14me or they don't say anything that's going to be disrespectful towards me.
17:18But it has happened.
17:19It did happen once where I went on a date and the guy did not know that I was a little
17:25person.
17:26He had seen my pictures, but he never got to see a full body.
17:29And so when I showed up, he was quite surprised and he was comparing me to his little niece.
17:35And of course I felt disrespected and walked away.
17:38What do you do for work?
17:40I'm a teacher.
17:41Teacher?
17:42Yeah.
17:43Middle school.
17:44Oh, you teach all grades in middle school?
17:46Yeah, all grades.
17:47Started as a substitute.
17:48And then I went into teaching high school.
17:52So I taught high school for a year.
17:54Yeah.
17:55I decided to go into a master's program and that's when COVID hit.
17:59Oh, yeah.
18:00And so throughout the whole master's program, I was in grad school.
18:03So I was doing my student teaching while also working from home.
18:07That's a lot.
18:08Literally.
18:09I did not leave my home at all.
18:10Oh, you speak Spanish?
18:11Yeah.
18:12What's your ethnicity?
18:13I'm Mexican.
18:14Mexican?
18:15Yeah, I grew up in Mexico.
18:16Oh.
18:17Yeah.
18:18So you were born there?
18:19Yes.
18:20What part?
18:21Guadalajara.
18:22Well, four hours away from Guadalajara.
18:23Oh, you could teach me Spanish.
18:24Yeah.
18:25That's what I do.
18:26Mm-hmm.
18:27So tell me about you.
18:28What do you do?
18:29I'm a police officer.
18:30Okay.
18:31In San Francisco.
18:32Nice.
18:33And I also act part-time.
18:35Okay.
18:36I think if they're in policing, you can't let that become your whole life.
18:41It'll just ruin your life.
18:43You have to have hobbies and have to have friends and stuff outside of that environment.
18:48So acting is a good way for me to get out of that.
18:51Let's go.
18:52Okay, I'm going to go to the bathroom.
18:53I'll be right back.
18:54Okay.
18:55I think it's going pretty well so far.
18:57He's a very nice guy, easy to talk to.
19:00He's good looking.
19:01I like his smile.
19:02I was a little scared about how that was going to go, but yeah, it's easy.
19:07I want to know how he feels about dating a little person and what his thoughts are on my conditions.
19:17Just so I know that he's comfortable.
19:20Hey.
19:21Hey.
19:22Hey.
19:23Oh, super.
19:24How's the lemonade?
19:25It's good.
19:26Not too sweet.
19:27Okay.
19:28Oh, thank you.
19:31Thank you so much.
19:32Looks good.
19:33Looks really good.
19:36So I probably should ask your condition and like, what's the proper terminology because
19:46I don't know anything.
19:48Uh-huh.
19:49No, it's okay.
19:50It's called diastrophic dysplasia.
19:51Can you say that one more time?
19:52Diastrophic.
19:53Diastrophic.
19:54Diastrophic.
19:55Diastrophic.
19:56Diastrophic.
19:57Diastrophic.
19:58Diastrophic.
19:59Uh-huh.
20:00Dysplasia.
20:01Dysplasia.
20:02So it's a rare type of dwarfism.
20:04I mean, as you can see, I'm proportionate.
20:07It's just on my legs and my arms are shorter.
20:11Yeah.
20:12But besides that, I mean, I'm able to do just about everything.
20:15Yeah.
20:16Um, with the help of my friend, the step stool and other things.
20:20Yeah.
20:21Having dwarfism has shaped my complete life.
20:23It's something that you cannot hide, of course.
20:26And so learning to live with this condition is not easy for sure.
20:31Um, so having to learn to adapt in so many ways.
20:35I always think that the world is not made for someone with my condition,
20:40but I've had to learn how to live in this world.
20:44The issue really is with people staring and all of that.
20:49So the attention, the amount of attention that I get,
20:52that is something that you should be aware of.
20:55I think I've learned to just block it.
20:59Um, but when I'm with someone, for example, the other day I went out with my friend and I hadn't seen her in a while.
21:07And we went to a makeup store and I noticed that she was standing like really close to me and really close to me.
21:15And I was like, what's she doing?
21:17She was trying to block me from a kid that was staring at me for a while.
21:21And I hadn't noticed the kid a while ago, but I was just annoying them, right?
21:25But she was like, I forgot what this was like.
21:28She was like, they won't stop staring.
21:30Kids gotta be the worst, right?
21:32Kids, but you'd be surprised. Adults too.
21:34And I think with kids, I don't get upset as much because their kids are curious.
21:39But when an adult is doing that, that's when I get upset.
21:44You have all this like attention on you all the time.
21:47As a kid, it must have been rough.
21:50Like as you face bullying and like through your years, elementary, middle school and high school.
21:57When so many people are saying things to you or staring, they make you feel like you're some kind of alien.
22:06And you just don't understand.
22:09As much as you're trying to get it in your head that you're okay, that you're beautiful and this and that.
22:14It's hard to get past those comments and it's hard to not let it hurt you.
22:20Did you have a good time?
22:21Yeah, I had a good time.
22:22Oh, great meeting you.
22:23It's nice meeting you.
22:24Yeah.
22:25Ready to get out of here?
22:26Yes.
22:27Can I give you a hug?
22:28Yes, of course.
22:34So how did the date go?
22:37It was good.
22:38Me?
22:39It was good.
22:40I've had a few dates.
22:41I would say this is top tier.
22:43She was passionate about teaching and she had a real kind art that I like.
22:49And that's the one I like people I like to surround myself with.
22:53I feel really good.
22:54I had a good time.
22:55I thought it was going to be awkward having a camera while having a date.
22:59But he was great.
23:00Nice person.
23:01Very humble.
23:02And I really like that about him.
23:05Will we see each other again?
23:06Yes.
23:07Yes.
23:08Yes.
23:09We will see each other again.
23:10I can listen for myself.
23:11Yeah.
23:12Yeah, I think so.
23:13I think we'll see each other again.
23:14Yeah.
23:15Yeah.
23:16Yeah, I think so.
23:17No.
23:18No.
23:19I think so.
23:21No.
23:22No.
23:24No.
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