FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A DR. PHIL EXCLUSIVE: THE LEGALLY BLIND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO WAS ATTACKED IN THE SHOCKING VIDEO THAT WENT VIRAL AND THE BOY HAILED AS A HIGH SCHOOL HERO FOR DEFENDING HIM SPEAK OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME TOGETHER, AIRING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

(Hollywood, CA – October 12, 2015) – In a DR. PHIL exclusive, the legally blind high school student who was attacked in the shocking video viewed more than 26 million times and the boy hailed as a high school hero for defending him speak out for the first time together about the events of the attack. The episode airs Wednesday, October 14 (check local listings). 

Austin Higley, 16, the visually impaired student, and his friend Cody Pines, 17, who heroically protected him, are both students at California’s Huntington Beach High School. In the video that made national headlines, Austin was seen being attacked by another student as Cody swiftly stepped in to help him. The accused aggressor has been charged with misdemeanor battery. On the show, Austin gives his account of the incident and Cody explains what he was thinking when he jumped in to save Austin. Also, find out if Austin had concerns about going back to school.

Select quotes from the episode:

“Honestly, I feel like you saved my life.”

•  Austin to Cody, his friend since elementary school.

“Austin could have gotten hit 10 more times, or this kid could have gotten hit once. It was very measured. [Cody] stopped what was happening and then attended to his friend. He didn’t exploit the situation. That seemed to be a very mature thing to do.”

•  Dr. Phil’s analysis of Cody’s response to his friend’s alleged attack.

“Think about what you’re doing whenever you’re bullying someone. That’s another person’s life. Could you imagine if someone else ruined your whole life by doing this?”

•  Cody’s message to kids on why it’s important not to be a bully.

“If you’re a person standing around watching someone being bullied, you’re just as guilty.”

•  Dr. Phil, who has testified on Capitol Hill about bullying.

DR. PHIL is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Television Distribution, which also distributes the show. Carla Pennington and Dr. Phillip C. McGraw are the executive producers.

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Show clip is available at: http://cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/shows/dr-phil/video

Credit footage and photo to: Peteski Productions/CBS Television Distribution.