Patrick Stewart Arranged Personal Meeting with Sick ‘Star Trek’ Fan at Dragon Con 2014

Patrick Stewart helped to make a young Star Trek fan’s dreams come true by meeting with her at a convention earlier this month.

Dawn Garrigus, who suffers from mitochondrial disease, won the chance to attend the Dragon Con event in Georgia through the Make-A-Wish foundation, but there was another big surprise in store for her when she got there.

The X-Men star, who portrayed Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek TV and film franchise, had arranged a personal meet and greet with her.

Recalling the encounter in an email to the Huffington Post, she writes, “I was shy at first, not sure what to say or talk about, but he kept talking to me. I felt like I was on the Enterprise talking to the captain. And suddenly, I was OK. I was soooo (sic) excited… I could not believe it.”

Stewart posed for pictures with Garrigus and her family, and her parents explain the meeting has had a positive effect on the 11-year-old as she battles her disease.

They say, “We have seen a very positive response. Her illness can be very depressing and leaves her feeling separated and causes her difficulty to relate to other kids her age. Her brief visit with Sir Patrick has alleviated that feeling.”

In a message to the British star, they add, “You have made a mark on her and our life (sic) that will never be forgotten!”

Photo Credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com