In his 18 years, J.F. Budacz has learned to be a wrestler and a surfer; he's played football and baseball. But scuba diving almost became the sport that got away.

A few summers ago, he was making some plans to try to go under. “But I was grounded, and my parents wouldn't let me do it,” Budacz said, laughing.

Then two years ago, Budacz had a rough landing while jumping down some stairs and suffered a compound fracture. A month later, an infection cost him his foot and lower leg.

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