For decades, Amanda Scarpinati cherished a vintage black-and-white photo of a nurse gently cradling her as an infant.
The picture, taken in 1977 at Albany Medical Center in New York, captured a moment of compassion after tragedy struck. At just three months old, Amanda had fallen from a sofa into a hot-steam humidifier, suffering third-degree burns. The young nurse was photographed wrapping her tiny head in gauze, trying her best to comfort her.
Growing up, Amanda endured countless surgeries and relentless bullying because of her scars. On difficult days, she would return to that picture, finding strength in the kindness it portrayed. Though she never knew the nurse’s name, Amanda always hoped she might find her one day.
After two decades of searching, Amanda decided to try social media one last time. Posting the photo on Facebook, she asked for help. To her amazement, the post went viral, and within 24 hours the nurse was identified as Susan Berger, then just 21 years old.
Thirty-eight years later, Amanda and Susan were reunited in an emotional, heartwarming moment neither would ever forget.
