TAMPA, Florida — Claire Bridges lived a life like most 20-year-old women. Also like many others in the world, Claire caught COVID last year. What was different for her was that, unlike most young adults who caught the national virus, Claire's life was in danger.
Claire was born with a heart condition called aortic valve stenosis. The Mayo Clinic defines the condition as a type of heart valve disease. The valve between the lower left heart chamber and the body's main artery (aorta) is narrowed and doesn't fully open. This reduces or blocks blood flow from the heart to the aorta and to the rest of the body.
For Claire, she grew up being medically different from others her age. When she was a child, she had to limit her physical activities.
"I wasn’t able to really run at all," Claire explained.
For most of her life, she didn't let her heart condition define her. Claire models professionally, rock climbs and loves the arts. She grew up near the beach and always went with her friends. In January 2022, that all came to a halt when she caught COVID. Her life nearly ended and drastically changed forever.
Claire spent months at Tampa General Hospital fighting for her life. She flatlined multiple times, but doctors were able to stabilize her heartbeat. That's where all the challenges for the 20-year-old began. Claire lost weight, had trouble breathing on her own and couldn't eat at times. Doctors were by her side 24/7. She had to have multiple surgeries to stay alive.
"It’s definitely a traumatic experience. I have finally become cognizant enough to realize the danger I was in," Claire said.
Claire was told both of her legs had to be amputated. She left Tampa General Hospital in March of 2022 as a double amputee.
"Pretty much my entire life has taken a 180," Claire said.
When Claire returned home, she was weak and in a wheelchair, but already had goals to walk again. For her 21st birthday in March 2022, she was told she would be getting bionic legs. This was thanks to a Bay area organization called 50 Legs.
Claire regained her muscle and took her first steps six months after being admitted to the hospital.
Claire still continues to regain her strength nearly two years later. She is driving on her own, walking and getting back to her life before her hospital stay. Claire attends physical therapy multiple times a week to help her in her healing journey. She also is getting back into rock climbing with friends.
It hasn't been easy in her recovery. She's learning to re-walk and run with new legs. Her health has also continued to challenge her. Claire had to undergo heart surgery in December 2022. Despite the challenges, she has focused on getting back to her old ways.
"It’s just a reshaping of my mind pretty much."
She has certain legs that allow her to rock climb, walk and run. She is training her body to use them.
"Amputees can do what you can do and sometimes, we can do it better,” Claire said.
Claire has come across other challenges that involve being a double amputee.
"It’s a little odd when you get pointed at. You know, we’re disabled, you can say we’re disabled, it’s not a bad word," Claire explained.
Claire said having a community of people with similar disabilities has been life-changing. She is also thankful for friends and family who haven't left her side.
"Seeing other people like me do things that I never thought I could or would do just makes me more excited for life. I would not be as strong as I am today and as strong and I am going to be without all of them."
Her life now requires more strength than she was born with, but she is ready to conquer life's next challenge.
"What there is to take away from it is, you’re a lot stronger than you think you are."
Claire said she plans to pursue modeling more seriously as she continues attending college at St Petersburg College.