'Oh my God, you're real!' Woman who suffered severe burns as a baby is finally reunited with the nurse who cradled her in black-and-white photos almost 40 years ago

  • Amanda Scarpinati, 38, suffered horrific burns from a steam vaporizer
  • She was pictured being comforted by nurse Susan Berger after surgery
  • They were published in Albany Medical Center’s 1977 annual report
  • However, the accompanying captions didn't include the nurse’s name
  • Scarpinati, who is from New York, tried to find the nurse for 20 years
  • Thanks to a viral Facebook appeal, the pair finally met again today 

A woman who suffered severe burns as a baby has been reunited with the nurse who cared for her almost 38 years ago thanks to a Facebook appeal.

Amanda Scarpinati had always treasured the black-and-white pictures of herself as a tiny infant being comforted by a young nurse - and dreamed of meeting the woman again.

The beautiful shots show Scarpinati at three months, her head wrapped in thick gauze, being cradled by the nurse in poses reminiscent of ‘Madonna and Child’ paintings.

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A woman who suffered severe burns as a baby has been reunited with the nurse who cared for her almost 38 years ago thanks to a Facebook appeal

A woman who suffered severe burns as a baby has been reunited with the nurse who cared for her almost 38 years ago thanks to a Facebook appeal

Susan Berger, then 21, was pictured comforting Amanda Scarpinati when she was a baby. For 20 years, Scarpinati had been searching to try to find the nurse comforting her in the picture 

Susan Berger, then 21, was pictured comforting Amanda Scarpinati when she was a baby. For 20 years, Scarpinati had been searching to try to find the nurse comforting her in the picture 

But when the pictures, taken by photographer Carl Howard, were published in Albany Medical Center’s 1977 annual report, the captions did not include the nurse’s name.

Scarpinati, 38, a human resources manager from Athens, New York, tried for 20 years to identify the woman with no luck. Earlier this month, she finally had her answer: Susan Berger.

Then, a fresh-faced 21-year-old just out of college, Scarpinati was one of Berger’s first patients.

She is now nearing the end of her career and works overseeing the health center at Cazenovia College in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

Together again almost four decades later, Scarpinati and Berger sobbed and embraced as cameras clicked around them at the medical center’s conference room today.

Susan Berger, left, and Amanda Scarpinati pose with a copy of a 1977 Albany Medical Center annual report as they were reunited at Albany Medical Center today

Susan Berger, left, and Amanda Scarpinati pose with a copy of a 1977 Albany Medical Center annual report as they were reunited at Albany Medical Center today

‘Oh my God, you’re real!’ Scarpinati said. ‘Thank you!’

Berger replied: ‘Thank YOU!’

As a baby, Scarpinati had rolled off a coach onto a boiling steam vaporizer. Melted mentholated ointment scalded her skin and she suffered severe burns to her head and fingers.

Over the years, the burns required many reconstructive surgeries.

‘Growing up as a child, disfigured by the burns, I was bullied and picked on, tormented.

‘I’d look at those pictures and talk to her, even though I didn’t know who she was.

‘I took comfort looking at this woman, who seemed so sincere, caring for me.’

And her moment with Berger, preserved for posterity in the pictures from the pediatric recovery room, appears to have had a lasting impact on both women’s lives.

Scarpinati, now 38 and a mother, said: ‘I’m over the moon to meet Sue. I never thought this day would come’

Scarpinati, now 38 and a mother, said: ‘I’m over the moon to meet Sue. I never thought this day would come’

Berger, pictured left, said: ‘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.'

Berger, pictured left, said: ‘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.'

When the pictures (above), taken by photographer Carl Howard, were published in Albany Medical Center’s 1977 annual report, the captions did not include the nurse’s name

When the pictures (above), taken by photographer Carl Howard, were published in Albany Medical Center’s 1977 annual report, the captions did not include the nurse’s name

Before meeting face-to-face once again, Berger said: ‘I remember her. She was very peaceful.

‘Usually when babies come out of surgery, they’re sleeping or crying. She was just so calm and trusting – it was amazing.’

Scarpinati added: ‘I’m over the moon to meet Sue. I never thought this day would come.’

But Berger says she feels even more blessed.

‘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.

‘I feel privileged to be the one to represent all the nurses who cares for her over the years.’

Earlier this month, Scarpinati posted the pictures to Facebook but doubted her plea would help put a name to the nurse's face.

Scarpinati was pictured at three months with nurse Susan Berger in a series of pictures for Albany Medical Center's annual report in 1977

Scarpinati was pictured at three months with nurse Susan Berger in a series of pictures for Albany Medical Center's annual report in 1977

Earlier this month, Scarpinati issued an appeal on Facebook (pictured above) to try and track down the nurse

Earlier this month, Scarpinati issued an appeal on Facebook (pictured above) to try and track down the nurse

‘Within 12 hours, it had gone viral with 5,000 shares across the country,’ she said.

She had her answer within a day: Angela Leary, a fellow nurse at the medical center back then, recognized her and sent Scarpinati a message, saying Berger ‘was as sweet and caring as she looks in this picture.’

A local television reporter tracked Berger down and the pair talked on the phone before meeting today.

Scarpinati, who has a 12-year-old son, said: 'It was amazing. She just has such a gentle caring voice, just like I imagined she'd have.’

Today, when asked if their meeting was the start of a lifelong friendship, Scarpinati replied: ‘It already has been a lifelong friendship. She just didn’t know.’

 

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