A fan starts her story with, “Let me tell you a thing, about an amazing man named Patrick Stewart.”
Tumblr user LemonSweetie details her experience at Comicpalooza with the science fiction star:
I went to Comicpalooza this weekend and I was full of nervous energy as I was standing in line to ask Sir Patrick Stewart a question at his panel. I first had to thank him for a speech he had given at amnesty international about domestic violence towards women . I had only seen it a few months ago but I was still dealing with my own personal experience with a similar issue, and I didn’t know what to call it. After seeing Patrick talk so personally about it I finally was able to correctly call it abuse, in my case sexual abuse that was going to quickly turn into physical abuse as well. I didn’t feel guilty or disgusting anymore. I finally didn’t feel responsible for the abuse that was put upon me. I was finally able to start my healing process and to put that part of my life behind me.
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 Stressto help those soldiers who are suffering from PTSD.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad freeThey were about to move onto the next question when Sir Patrick looked at me and asked me “My Dear, are you okay?” I said yes, and that I was finally able to move on from that part of my life. He then passionately said that his mother had done nothing to provoke his father and that even if she had, violence was never, ever a choice a man should make. That it is in the power of men to stop violence towards women. The moderator then asked “Do you want a hug?”
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.
Sir Patrick Stewart is an absolute roll model for men. He is an amazing man and was so kind and full of heart. I want to let everyone know to please find help if you are in a violent or abusive house hold or relationship. There are organizations and people ready to help. I had countless people after the panel thanking me for sharing the story and asking him those questions. Many said they went through similar things. You are not alone.
[Via: LemonSweetie & YouTube]
Photo credit: Flickr / david_shankbone
I appreciate his work, but I’d like to see more acknowledgement of male victims, both from domestic and sexual abuse. They are mostly invisible, so I don’t blame Stewart (he may not even be aware of them, which is the problem right there).
I think Patrick, if he wants to be a spokesperson for domestic abuse should know more about it and chose who he works with more carefully.
Its counterproductive be depicting it as gendered and promoting a group like Refuge that discriminates, covers up and misrepresents domestic violence and has a violent history.
Love this. Just awesome.
This article was uplifting to see a truly remarkable Man who uses his energy, passion, and yes, his celebrity drawing power to ‘fight the good fight’. I kind of wish the local newspapers would carry stories like this to balance out the seemingly everyday stories of ‘Celebrites Behaving Badly’.
As if we needed another reason to love Sir. Patrick
Aw. And in that voice too! ^_^
I love Patrick Stewart for speaking out about his childhood experiences….My son’s friend recently had a firecracker thrown at him but that does not compare to what he suffered at home later that night….the terror and the anxiety about what lays ahead when an angry, controlling parent arrives home is so awful….it is terrible to hear the truth from my son’s friend and then listen to cover- up stories from the so-called “adults” in the family….I am agonizing about the next step….
Great video… And good tie-in to WWII PTSD….