The unbelievable story of Amanda Scarpinati moves me to tears
For many years, Amanda Scarpinati treasured her old black and white photograph depicting a nurse holding her as an infant.
The photograph was captured in 1977 at a hospital in New York following a serious accident Amanda experienced. At just 3 months old, she fell from a sofa into a hot-steam humidifier, resulting in third-degree burns. In the image, the young girl’s head is bandaged in gauze while the nurse strives to provide her comfort.
In the subsequent years, Amanda underwent multiple surgeries and faced bullying from her peers due to her appearance. During her difficult days, she would often reach for the black and white photograph of the nurse, finding solace in the knowledge that someone once cared deeply for her.
Amanda held onto the hope of eventually locating her guardian angel. After two decades of searching, she ultimately decided to utilize social media for one final attempt.
What transpired next is truly heartwarming. I felt compelled to share this captivating story!
In 1977, Amanda Scarpinati, at the age of 3 months, was transported by ambulance to Albany Medical Center in New York, suffering from third-degree burns. She had fallen from a sofa into a hot-steam humidifier.
At the hospital, a young nurse attended to her. The black and white photographs from that year depict the nurse cradling Amanda in her arms, smiling affectionately at her.
Bullied mercilessly
Amanda recovered from the incident, but sadly she was subjected to endless 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 tells news agency AP. “‘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 who seemed so sincere caring for me.”
Amanda hoped that one day she would be able to find the nurse that had comforted and taken care of her during that tough time. After a 20 year search, with no luck, Amanda turned to social media. She shared the black and white photos on her Facebook page 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 went viral, and the following day she received the message she had eagerly anticipated. 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 years old and had recently graduated from college. She had also preserved the photographs and had never forgotten the little girl with the burns.
“I remember her. She was very peaceful,” Susan recalls. “Typically, when infants emerge from surgery, they are either sleeping or crying. She was simply so calm and trusting. It was remarkable.”
Shortly thereafter, the two women experienced 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 was so moved when I read this incredible story, especially considering everything Amanda has been through.
Share this story if you think that nurses all over the world do an incredible job taking care of people during the darkest moments of their lives. They are truly wonderful!