For many years, Amanda Scarpinati treasured her old black and white photograph of a nurse holding her as a baby.
The picture was taken in 1977 at a New York hospital after Amanda experienced a serious accident. At just 3 months old, she fell from the sofa into a hot-steam humidifier, resulting in third-degree burns. In the image, the little girl’s head is covered in gauze while the nurse tries her best to comfort her.
In the following years, Amanda went through multiple surgeries and faced bullying from her peers due to her appearance. On particularly tough days, she would reach for the black and white photo of the nurse, finding solace in the knowledge that someone once cared deeply for her.
Amanda always held onto the hope of eventually locating her guardian angel. After 20 years of searching, she decided to give social media a shot for one final attempt.
What unfolded next is truly heartwarming. I simply had to share this captivating story!
In 1977, a three-month-old Amanda Scarpinati was quickly transported by ambulance to Albany Medical Center in New York due to severe third-degree burns. She had accidentally fallen from the sofa and landed in a hot-steam humidifier.
At the hospital, a young nurse provided her care. The black and white photographs from that year capture the nurse cradling Amanda in her arms, smiling affectionately at her.
Bullied relentlessly
Amanda managed to heal from the incident, but unfortunately, she faced constant bullying throughout her childhood due to her burns.
As a child, marked by my burns, I was bullied and harassed, tormented,” Amanda shares with the news agency AP. “I would gaze at those pictures and speak to her, even though I had no idea who she was. I found solace in looking at this woman who appeared so genuinely caring for me.”
Amanda dreamed that one day she would locate the nurse who had provided her comfort and care during that challenging period. After searching for 20 years without success, Amanda turned to social media. She posted the black and white photos on her Facebook page and wrote: “I would love to know her name and perhaps have the opportunity to talk to her and meet her. Please share, as you never know who might see it.”
Spread like wildfire
Her post went viral, and the following day she received the message she had been eagerly anticipating. Angela Leary, who had served as a nurse at the hospital that same year, recognized her former colleague Susan Berger. At that time, Susan was 21 and had just graduated from college. She had also kept the photos and had never forgotten the little girl with the burns.
“I remember her. She was very peaceful,” Susan recalls. “Typically, when babies come out of surgery, they are either sleeping or crying. She was just so calm and trusting. It was incredible.”
Shortly after, the two had an emotional reunion after 38 years.
“I don’t know how many nurses would be lucky enough to have something like this happen, to have someone remember you all that time,” Susan says.
“I feel privileged to be the one to represent all the nurses who cared for Amanda over the years.”
I felt deeply touched after reading this amazing story, particularly in light of all that Amanda has endured.
If you believe that nurses around the globe perform an amazing job caring for individuals in their most challenging times, please share this story. They are truly remarkable!
