A teenager in Illinois is using a terrible personal experience to bring about change.
Gavin Joseph, who lives with Asperger syndrome and ADHD, dropped all charges against the bullies who beat him up and instead decided on giving them a more constructive punishment.
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Joseph's mother, Cortnie Stone, wrote in a Facebook post that her son was "surrounded by people he didn't know, choked, punched, and left laying on the pavement so he would 'learn his lesson.'"
Joseph was left with the tip of his nose fractured, hematoma in his right eye and a mild concussion, and is expected to make a full recovery. Stone went on to explain that in lieu of criminal charges, her son asked for the attackers to serve disability-related community service hours, write a paper on Asperger syndrome and watch a taped statement from Joseph with their families.
Stone hopes that sharing her son's story will inspire more parents to talk to their children about tolerance for disabilities.