A Life-Altering Accident
In 1977, three-month-old Amanda Scarpinati suffered severe burns after falling onto a steam vaporizer at her home in New York. She was rushed to Albany Medical Center, where she received immediate care. During her recovery, a poignant black-and-white photograph was taken, capturing a young nurse cradling the bandaged infant with a look of deep compassion. This image would become a source of comfort for Amanda throughout her life.facebook.com+8abcnews.go.com+8mprnews.org+8lovethispic.com+5mprnews.org+5cbsnews.com+5en.newsner.com+1youtube.com+1
The Search for a Guardian Angel
Growing up, Amanda faced numerous reconstructive surgeries and endured bullying due to her scars. The photograph of the nurse became a symbol of solace and kindness during these challenging times. Determined to find the woman who had shown her such care, Amanda searched for years without success. In 2015, she turned to social media, posting the photograph on Facebook with a heartfelt message:youtube.com+3en.newsner.com+3abcnews.go.com+3abcnews.go.com+1lovethispic.com+1
“This was from 1977. 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.”en.newsner.com+1lovethispic.com+1
The post quickly went viral, leading to a breakthrough.
A Heartwarming Reunion
Within days, Angela Leary, a former nurse at Albany Medical Center, recognized the nurse in the photograph as her colleague, Susan Berger. Berger, who was 21 at the time the photo was taken, had also kept a copy of the image and remembered Amanda vividly. She recalled Amanda as a remarkably calm and trusting baby, even after undergoing surgery.mprnews.org+3en.newsner.com+3lovethispic.com+3
The reunion between Amanda and Susan was arranged at Albany Medical Center, the very place where their paths had first crossed. The emotional meeting was a testament to the enduring impact of compassion and care.youtube.com+7en.newsner.com+7abcnews.go.com+7
The Power of Compassion
Susan Berger expressed her astonishment and gratitude for the reunion:
“I was so stunned. I was just speechless and to think that someone would have thought about it all those years and to have saved the photo, as I did myself.”abcnews.go.com
Amanda shared how the photograph had been a source of comfort during her difficult childhood:
“Growing up as a child, disfigured by the burns, I was bullied and picked on, tormented. I’d look at those pictures and talk to her, even though I didn’t know who she was. I took comfort looking at this woman