The unbelievable story of Amanda Scarpinati moves me to tears

 

For decades, Amanda Scarpinati cherished an old black-and-white photo of a nurse gently holding her as a baby. The photo was taken in 1977 at Albany Medical Center, New York, after 3-month-old Amanda suffered third-degree burns from falling into a hot-steam humidifier.

Throughout her childhood, Amanda endured multiple surgeries and cruel bullying because of her appearance. During the hardest times, she found comfort in that photo—drawn to the kindness in the nurse’s face.

For 20 years, Amanda tried to find her “guardian angel” nurse. Finally, she shared the photo on Facebook, asking for help. The post went viral, and within a day, former nurse Angela Leary recognized her colleague Susan Berger—the young nurse in the photo.

Susan, who was just 21 at the time, had also saved those photos and remembered Amanda clearly. “She was so calm and trusting,” she recalled.

After 38 years, Amanda and Susan had an emotional reunion. “I feel privileged,” Susan said, “to represent all the nurses who cared for Amanda.”