Amanda Scarpinati, 3 months old, plunged into a hot-steam humidifier in 1977, and suffered third-degree burns which would change her life forever. A black and white photograph of the days she spent in the hospital, she is holding her head up, and an adorable nurse holds her like a baby in her arms and smiles lovingly. A memory of the generosity and charity with which she felt at a difficult time, this image would become Amanda’s most precious thing.
Getting older caused Amanda many problems such as multiple surgeries and continuous trouble with one’s appearance. If she was in pain, the sight of her nurse was her consolation. Amanda wanted to find the person behind the soothing smile. She searched for twenty years with nothing working. Undaunted Amanda posted the picture in Facebook and wanted to know if anyone knew the nurse.
The reaction was great. Angela Leary, the photo’s nurse colleague, identified Susan Berger who was at Albany Medical Center in 1977. College graduated and three years old, Susan had been holding the images never forgetting the small burned girl. Reading the message, she immediately knew that the one she had cared for is birthday; it is Amanda.
The meeting between Amanda and Susan was every bit dramatic. Although, thirty eight years passed since the last time they met, the connection was intense. Unlike many that cry or sleep following surgery, Susan described Amanda as calm and trusting infant. Speaking for all the nurses who took care of Amanda, Susan said, “I wonder how many nurses would be fortunate enough to have a situation like this happen”.
The case of Amanda shows what nurses might do with the lives of people they treat. It is a reminder that human connection and compassion and kindness are needed in medicine.
