For decades, Amanda Scarpinati cherished an old black‑and‑white photo of a nurse cradling her as a baby.
The photo was taken in 1977 at a hospital in New York after Amanda suffered a serious accident. At just 3 months old, she had fallen from the sofa into a hot‑steam humidifier and was left with third‑degree burns. In the picture, her tiny head is wrapped in gauze as the nurse does her best to comfort her.
Over the next few years, Amanda endured multiple operations and was bullied by classmates because of her appearance. Whenever she was having a terrible day, she would pick up the photo of the nurse. It comforted her to know that someone had once cared so deeply for her.
Amanda always hoped she would one day find her guardian angel. She searched for 20 years, and eventually turned to social media for one final attempt.
What happened next is incredibly heartwarming. I had to share this remarkable story.
It was 1977 when 3‑month‑old Amanda Scarpinati was rushed by ambulance to Albany Medical Center in New York with third‑degree burns after falling from the sofa into a hot‑steam humidifier.
At the hospital, she was cared for by a young nurse. The black‑and‑white photos from that year show the nurse holding Amanda in her arms and smiling tenderly at her.
Bullied mercilessly
Amanda recovered from the accident, but sadly endured relentless bullying throughout her childhood because of her burns.
“Growing up as a child, disfigured by the burns, I was bullied and picked on, tormented,” Amanda told the AP. “I’d look at those pictures and talk to her, even though I didn’t know who she was. I took comfort in looking at this woman who seemed so sincere in caring for me.”
Amanda hoped she would one day find the nurse who had comforted her during that painful time. After 20 years of searching with no success, she turned to social media. She posted the photos on Facebook and wrote: “I would love to know her name and possibly get a chance to talk to her and meet her. Please share, as you never know who it could reach.”
Spread like wildfire
Her post spread quickly, and the next day she received the message she had been waiting for. Angela Leary, who had worked as a nurse at the hospital that same year, recognized her colleague Susan Berger. Susan was 21 at the time, had just finished college, and had also saved the photos—never forgetting the little girl with the burns.
“I remember her. She was very peaceful,” Susan said. “Usually when babies come out of surgery they’re sleeping or crying. She was just so calm and trusting. It was amazing.”
Not long after, the two had an emotional reunion—38 years later.
“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 said. “I feel privileged to be the one to represent all the nurses who cared for Amanda over the years.”
I was deeply moved reading this incredible story, especially considering everything Amanda has endured.
Share this story if you believe nurses around the world do extraordinary work caring for people during the darkest moments of their lives. They truly are wonderful.
