Shane and Hannah Burcaw, who have long been open about their relationship and the misconceptions surrounding their life together, have now shared an update on their journey toward parenthood.
Shane and Hannah Burcaw’s love story began after Hannah watched a documentary about Shane, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy – a genetic condition that affects nerve cells and severely limits mobility.
She was struck by his personality and humor and decided to reach out. That was the beginning of their relationship.
The couple married in September 2020, and just a few weeks ago, they announced that they are expecting their first child.
“We are beyond ecstatic to announce that we’re expecting our first child this coming January!,” the couple wrote on Instagram.
“Hannah is 20 weeks pregnant and although we’ve been thoroughly enjoying this special time in privacy so far, we’ve also missed sharing all the joy with you, and there’s so much to share.”
Shane and Hannah Burcaw pregnancy
Shane also took to Facebook to share an honest post about his feelings and fears surrounding becoming a father.
He wrote: “One of my biggest worries about having children is the extent to which I’ll be able to physically interact with them. I know and believe that parenting and love do not require physical ability, but I still grapple with those deep down anxieties at times, especially as our baby began kicking in Hannah’s womb a few weeks ago.
“I hoped, but didn’t know for certain whether, I’d be able to reach my arms far enough to feel the kicking myself.”
The couple has previously opened up on YouTube about their physical intimacy and the many questions they receive about their relationship. Some people have assumed that Hannah had signed up for a life of being both childless and celibate. However, that’s far from the truth.
“It’s far from true. We have a satisfying intimate life, and both of us are interested in having children together down the road,” Hannah and Shane said.
“Disabled people can have s**,” Shane once shared.
“So much of parenting is not the physical stuff”
When they started their YouTube channel, Shane said that they couldn’t have imagined how much people would question their love for each other.
“We’re seen as asexual beings,” Shane said. Hannah asked whether it was another misconception that his ‘physical organs’ don’t work, which perhaps was behind people’s imagination that something wasn’t right between them.
“Well that,” Shane continued, “and they see my attraction, my ability to attract a parter as non-existent.”
Hannah also added: “And even if you did, it wouldn’t work. There’s no physical way – because we get a lot of like, ‘there’s no physical way that they could, so they’re lying.‘”
Now, the couple is looking ahead as they prepare to become parents — and they have been turning to other interabled couples for insight into what life with a child can look like.
In an interview with People, the couple revealed that they’ve spoken with other interabled couples about their lives and experiences becoming parents.
“One thing that has made me feel good is that they are reminding me that so much of parenting is not the physical stuff,” Shane told the outlet.
“A human being, yes, needs physical care as a baby, but a lot of parenting is about the mind and emotions and learning and love.”
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