Several weeks ago Rory James took the plunge at a popular bridge-jumping spot at the Seattle Arboretum -- an abandoned highway project people call "the Bridge to Nowhere."

James got a gash on his leg, possibly from rebar underwater. But he had no idea what would come next.

"He didn't even realize he was hurt, not until he got back to the car and somebody said, 'Gosh, Rory, that cut's to the bone.'" said his mother, Renee Boettger.

James went to a doctor and got stitched up. But the next day, his leg felt terrible. His mom took him back to the hospital.

Doctors soon discovered two types of flesh-eating bacteria had infected his leg. They immediately prepped him for surgery. They carved out large sections of his leg the bacteria had already destroyed.

Then James' troubles got worse.

After surgery, his whole body stopped working.

"Every system failed - respiratory, heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure -- you name it, all gone," said Boettger.

Doctors hooked James up on life support, which finally stabilized his health.

Boettger, who still can't believe a jump in the lake nearly killed him, wants to warn other parents of the potential danger. Doctors say dangerous flesh-eating bacteria infect one in every 20,000 patients.

All health troubles aside, Boettger is grateful for her son's life. Not much else matters, she said.

"Seems to me when they talk about all that, it's just so minute compared to the fact that he's here and he's with us," she said.

Anyone who'd like to help the James family with the mounting medical bills can make an online donation to the Problem Solvers Fund.