Off The Record
In 1977 She Saved Burned Baby, 38 Years Later She Sees A Photo On Facebook And Freezes
Amanda Scarpinati treasured a vintage black and white photograph of a nurse holding her when she was a newborn for many years.
The picture was taken in 1977 at a hospital in New York following Amanda’s catastrophic accident. Three-month-old Amanda had third-degree burns after falling from the sofa into a hot-steam humidifier. In the image, the nurse is trying her best to comfort the young girl while wrapping gauze around the child’s head.
Over the ensuing years, Amanda underwent a number of procedures and experienced bullying from her peers due of her appearance. The black-and-white image of the nurse would be picked up by Amanda whenever she was having a bad day. She found solace in the knowledge that there had once been someone who genuinely cared for her.
Amanda never gave up hope that she would one day be able to locate her guardian angel. After 20 years of looking, she finally made the decision to give social media one last shot.
What transpired afterwards is so heartwarming. I simply wanted to tell you about this amazing tale!
Three-month-old Amanda Scarpinati was transported in an ambulance with third-degree burns to Albany Medical Center in New York in 1977. She had slipped off the sofa and landed in a humidifier with heated steam.
She was cared for by a young nurse at the hospital. She is pictured cradling Amanda while affectionately grinning at her in the black and white pictures from that year.
Brutally Harassed
Although Amanda healed from the tragedy, her burns caused her to endure unending bullying throughout her youth.
As a young child with burn scars, Amanda claims, “I was picked on, ridiculed, and tormented growing up.” “Even though I didn’t know who she was, I would look at those photographs and communicate with her. Looking at this woman, who seemed to be genuinely concerned for me, gave me comfort.”
Amanda wished she could track down the nurse who had given her support and care during that trying period. She took it to social media after a 20-year search that yielded no results. On her Facebook page, she posted the sepia images and wrote: “I would want to know her identity and potentially have the opportunity to speak with and meet her. Please spread the word since you never know who it may reach.”
The following day, she received the message she had been waiting for after her post went viral. Susan Berger was recognized by Angela Leary, a nurse who had previously worked there that year. Susan had recently graduated from college at the age of 21. Additionally, she had kept the images, and she had never forgotten the young child who had burns.
“I recall her. Susan recalls how serene she was. “Typically, newborns are sleeping or wailing when they leave the operating room. She was simply so collected and reliable. It was incredible.
Soon later, after 38 years apart, the two had an emotional reunion.
“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.
If you believe that nurses everywhere in the world do an amazing job of caring for individuals through their most trying times, please SHARE this story.
They are simply amazing!
