Burn Survivor Reunites with Nurse After Nearly 40 Years
Amanda Scarpinati, severely burned as a baby in a household accident, recently reunited with the nurse who comforted her during her recovery nearly 40 years ago. At just three months old, Amanda fell into a hot-steam humidifier and was rushed to Albany Medical Center, where 21-year-old nurse Susan Berger cared for her. Emotional photos of Susan cradling baby Amanda became a lifelong source of strength. Their reunion is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of kindness and compassion.
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Coping With the Aftermath: Bullying and Resilience
While Amanda Scarpinati underwent many surgeries to recover physically, the emotional toll was just as intense. Growing up with visible scars, she was often bullied and ridiculed. Through it all, a photo of the kind nurse who once comforted her became a symbol of hope. “I didn’t know her name,” Amanda said, “but I would talk to her in my mind.”
A Search Fueled by Hope
For over 20 years, Amanda Scarpinati held onto a cherished black-and-white photo of the nurse who comforted her as an infant—proof that someone had cared during her darkest days. Determined to find the woman, she searched in vain until 2015, when she turned to social media with a heartfelt post. “Please share, as you never know who it could reach,” she wrote. Within a day, the post went viral—and Amanda finally got the message she’d been hoping for.
