The GoFundMe page created for Bridges, “Care for Claire,” has raised nearly $100,000 since Jan. 26.
Courtesy of @grassrootskava on Instagram
By Molly Ryan
To those who know her, 20-year-old St. Petersburg resident Claire Bridges is a sister, friend, model, staunch environmentalist and a welcoming kava tender at Grassroots Kava House. After losing her legs due to complications from COVID-19, she has become a symbol of strength and persistence across the community and beyond.
“I think that the biggest thing about [Bridges’] story that is bringing her community together is simply that it is her story,” said Andy Beaty, a coworker and close friend to Bridges. “She is the type of person that creates a lasting impact on anyone who meets her, even customers at Grassroots.”
What started as a trip to the emergency room for acute leg pain on Jan. 16, quickly turned into severe complications from COVID-19 due to a pre-existing heart condition.
The next day she was placed on a TandemHeart with additional life support, later proceeded by continuous dialysis for kidney failure.
After nearly a week, the pressure in her legs was not allowing blood flow and the damage was irreversible — leading to the decision to perform a bilateral amputation below her knees.
According to an update from her family, Bridges thanked the doctors for saving her life and expressed a desire for bionic legs upon hearing the news that she would need the surgery.
Ten days after entering the emergency room, a friend and coworker, Heather Valdes, created a “Care for Claire” GoFundMe page to assure Bridges a comfortable recovery. With an initial goal of $15,000 to cover medical and living expenses, the page has now fundraised nearly $100,000.
Currently, Bridges is recovering in the medical surgical intensive care unit at Tampa General Hospital after the initial surgery on Jan. 31 — which made headlines in local and national news.
Despite the circumstances, Beaty emphasized that Bridges “will find her way” and that they “have no doubt that she will be living life just as she was two months ago as soon as she’s able.”
For Evelyn Long, USF St. Petersburg junior interdisciplinary studies major, Bridges’ story was a reminder that the community has “the power to change each other’s lives for the better.”
Last November, Long also utilized crowdfunding after a car hit her while riding her bike, resulting in temporarily debilitating injuries.
“When I heard [Bridges] was in the ICU, I couldn’t stop thinking of her. I knew she was highly regarded in the community and loved by everybody that knew her,” Long said. “When the GoFundMe was created, I started sharing it every day because I know how much crowdfunding helps in dire situations like that. The community crowdfunded for me during those two months and raised money, so I’d be able to eat, pay my bills and stay in my home during a time where it felt like all the cards were stacked against me.”
“I knew that if we could raise money for Claire, it would alleviate at least some strain that will fall on her during her recovery,” Long said.
At the time of her hospitalization, Bridges was an advocate for more inclusivity within her modeling agency and environmental consciousness, a student at St. Petersburg College and a regular at the indoor rock-climbing gym Vertical Ventures.
“I’d say the community’s reaction to her health struggles speaks for itself,” Long said. “It’s simple, Claire is a deeply loved beautiful young woman. When the community sees someone who has their whole life in front of them experience a tragedy like this, people are reminded of the uncertainty, unpredictability and unfair nature of life.”
Kenneth Hoyumpa, owner of Grassroots Kava House, emphasized that while “the shared trauma of the pandemic has made this story relevant to the daily news,” it is Bridges’ “strength, courage and determination for bionic legs that has made her story so inspiring.”
At Grassroots Kava House, Hoyumpa and his employees have been using the saying “Care for Claire” and have it displayed in various locations throughout the bar, reminding the community of Bridges’ strength and a means to share her story.
According to Hoyumpa, Bridges is not only an employee who makes “customers feel like they were a part of something more than just a business,” but also a “kind, generous, loving, goofy and intelligent” person and “a joy to be around.”
“[Bridges’] story has brought together people in general. While her story reminds us of our vulnerability and fragility of life, she inspires strength and courage, hope and patience,” Hoyumpa said. “I’m utterly grateful to have her in my life. I’m reminded that no matter how difficult the future may be, strength, courage and hope can lead the way through the unknown.”
According to PAM Health, fittings for prosthetic limbs can begin up to three to six weeks after surgery once the wounds have healed. Since Bridges faced other complications alongside the surgery, the process may look different.
“[Bridges] is the type of person that can actually accomplish anything that she sets her mind to, she doesn’t give up on things easily,” Beaty said.
“While it is important to share her story and have her in our thoughts, it is also important that our thoughts are uplifting and supportive rather than feeling sorry for [Bridges],” Beaty said. “I think that it’s just very important through all of this to remember that she is going to struggle, but that she is alive, and she is going to overcome any obstacle that comes her way.”
On Feb. 27, Grassroots Kava House and Vertical Ventures will host a fundraising event, “Climbing for Claire” from 2 to 6 p.m. The event is donation based and will include climbing gear, free kava and kratom and live music from local artists. Tickets can be purchased with a donation at the door or beforehand via eventbrite.com.
