A disabled man who relies on a wheelchair and his able-bodied girlfriend are attempting to break down the stigma surrounding their relationship through YouTube videos.

Shane Burcaw, 26, was born with neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) - which has confined him to a wheelchair since he was two years old.

However, that hasn’t kept the 26-year-old from finding love - as he has been in a relationship with his girlfriend Hannah Aylward, 23, for three years.

The couple, who dated long distance in the beginning, now live together in Minneapolis, Minnesota - but they still encounter public confusion and a lack of understanding about their relationship.

To educate others about their lives together, Aylward and Burcaw created a YouTube channel where they explain the realities of an inter-abled relationship - and have since gained more than 127,000 followers.

According to a question & answer video uploaded by the couple on Christmas day, they receive thousands of questions about their lives - which they respond to in an effort to broaden public understanding.

“Our goal is to normalise disability and relationships like ours,” Burcaw explained, while Aylward responded to one question about her caretaker duties: “I have a fairly normal life.”

One of the biggest misconceptions the couple faces occurs when they first meet other people - as most people assume Burcaw and Aylward are not a couple, but rather a caregiver and patient or siblings.

But once the pair reveals the nature of their relationship, people usually go to “the other end of the spectrum and they’re like: ‘That’s amazing! Praise you!’” Burcaw said of the surprise they encounter.

Despite the trials that come with Burcaw’s disability, the couple acts like any other - arguing over sports, going on road trips, and planning on adopting a dog.

And, in addition to living together, the couple also plans to eventually start a family - once Aylward graduates college.

Although Burcaw and Aylward still receive questions and criticism about their relationship from strangers, a significant amount of the feedback to their videos and Instagram is positive.

“Your relationship inspires me,” one person commented on a photo recently uploaded by the couple. “To me, mental connection and personality are so important, It really seems like you two connect on the deepest level. Thank you for giving me hope!”

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events