An aspiring model has tragically lost both of her legs after a battle with Covid-19 which involved several lengthy operations and a spell on life support.
Claire Bridges, 20, from Florida in the US, was rushed to hospital as she was experiencing severe leg pains in January, only for a coronavirus diagnosis to result in a series of other complications.
GoFundMe / The Bridges Family
The 20-year-old, who was born with a congenital heart condition, was diagnosed with myocarditis, rhabdomyolysis, mild pneumonia, cyanosis and acidosis after being admitted to hospital on January 16.
As a result of her ongoing organ failure, Ms Bridges' condition underwent dramatic changes in the following two weeks.
She was placed on continuous dialysis as a result of her failing kidneys after being given a TandemHeart in order to help send a steady supply of oxygenated blood to organs.
Ms Bridges' worsening condition resulted in doctors having to amputate her legs in order to relieve the swelling and pressure.
Facebook / Wayne Bridges
Her best friend Heather Valdes told WTVT: "She wasn't getting circulation to her legs and, because of that, there was a lot of muscle damage."
Ms Bridges was also given a blood transfusion as doctors detected internal bleeding.
"They found a very rare lesion in the first part of the small intestines that had ruptured," her dad revealed on Facebook.
"Luckily they were able to fix it and stop the bleeding."
Her dad Wayne revealed on March 17 that his daughter was able to sit up for the first time since January.
"Two months to the day this all started and Claire, for the first time sat up by herself," he wrote on Facebook.
"It may not seem like a lot, but for this Warrior it's a major victory! And for this victory, it looks like our Warrior girl is coming home to her mom's house today for the rehab phase of her journey."
This week, the 20-year-old was released from hospital in time for her 21st birthday.
