A woman who is just three-foot-tall with a rare form of dwarfism, is now working as a fashion model and looking for a romantic partner.
Carly Ruhnke, 25, from New Jersey, has a condition known as Morquio syndrome and has undergone over 30 surgeries in her lifetime.
The young woman has struggled in a world “not built for people with dwarfism or any other disability” and often felt she wasn’t “equal” to other people.
But, Carly is not someone to be disheartened and has now become a catwalk model and even launched her own non-profit called Little Carly Foundation which has raised thousands of dollars.
But, while she’s storming ahead in her career, Carly admits she struggles when it comes to dating.
She’s looking for a boyfriend, but men often make cruel comments about her size while others have “dwarfism fetishes” meaning Carly has yet to find “Mr. Right”.
Carly commented: “I’ve had somewhat of a dating life but nothing has gotten serious.
“It’s difficult because of my dwarfism, as I would usually go for a person of average height but they tend to have rather mind-blowing fetishes.
“People have said to me, ‘I’ve been looking for someone as short as you my whole life,’ or [asked] disturbing questions about my body.”
Carly added: “I think because of these comments, I’m holding out for Mr. Right and for someone who won’t talk down to me. I might be three-feet-tall, but I’m still a grown woman with feelings.”
And, she hopes to get married in the future and would like to adopt a child with dwarfism, but is taking things slowly.
Carly commented: “Although I’ve never thought about it, I wouldn’t like to be pregnant and my doctors have advised against this.
“I’m happy being an aunt and being a dog mum to my boy, Ruffus, who’s nearly 12.”
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Carly has been bullied for her dwarfism, but is confident in herself and refuses to let anything hold her back.
She noted: “[The bullies] made me feel like I’m not their equal.
“But I didn’t let it bother me then or now. Some people just have nothing better to do than to pick on someone else.
“People realise now that there’s nothing holding me back, I’m doing things that they could only dream of.”