Sir Patrick Stewart Embraces Domestic Abuse Victim He Helped Save

Sir Patrick Stewart, guest of honor at this weekend's Comicpalooza in Houston, left attendees awestruck after responding with passion to one fan's gratitude for helping her deal with a history of domestic abuse.

The fan, Heather Skye, told her Tumblr followers about the nervous energy she felt before approaching the microphone to thank Sir Patrick for the Amnesty International speech he delivered on the topic of violence against women that helped her come to terms with the sexual abuse in her own life, and finally "start my healing process."

"After seeing Patrick talk so personally about it I finally was able to correctly call it abuse," she writes. "I didn’t feel guilty or disgusting anymore. I finally didn’t feel responsible for the abuse that was put upon me."

Skye continues:

After thanking him I asked him “Besides acting, what are you most proud of that you have done in you life (that you are willing to share with us)?”. Sir Patrick told us about how he couldn’t protect his mother from abuse in his household growing up and so in her name works with an organization called Refuge for safe houses for women and children to escape from abusive house holds. Sir Patrick Stewart learned only last year that his father had actually been suffering from PTSD after he returned from the military and was never properly treated. In his father’s name he works with an organization called Combat Stress to help those soldiers who are suffering from PTSD.

Just before moving on, Sir Patrick asked Skye if she was "okay," prompting the moderator to ask if she wanted a hug.

Then this happened:

Sir Patrick didn’t even hesitate, he smiled, hopped off the stage and came over to embrace me in a hug. Which he held me there for a long while. He told me “You never have to go through that again, you’re safe now.” I couldn’t stop thanking him. His embrace was so warm and genuine. It was two people, two strangers, supporting and giving love. And when we pulled away he looked strait in my eyes, like he was promising that. He told me to take care. And I will.

If Helen Mirren is Britain's One True Queen, Sir Pat is its Once and Future King.

[H/T: Geekosystem]