Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

I really enjoyed reading this book. Not only was it very informative, but it also makes the reader want to keep reading. As a reader you connect with the people’s real situations and stories. Very good.

If you can think what is the most outrageous unbelievable story you heard in your lifetime, it has to be this; the daughter you buried is not yours, and the injured daughter you nursed for five weeks was not yours. Although tragedies often evolve into miracles, this combination was never meant to be. After a tragic accident on an Indiana highway, two blond girls of similar features were mistaken for one another. Whitney Cerak lived but was comatose, while Laura Van Ryn actually died, but was sent to the hospital to be treated. Misidentification! It was a result coroner's carelessness, and with that, unimaginable consequences upon two families. The book, written with help of author Mark Tabb, starts with the section about the events of discovery, on the Cerak's part, that their daughter may be alive. Then, the story begins and reveals extensive detail of care by the Van Ryns who believed their daughter was alive, but was hurt badly. This is simple and non-pretentious writing, because it is merely your average God-loving families with deep religious faith. Connecting with the readers As you read, you begin to really understand the two families, their feelings, fears, surprises, stamina, hope, faith, etc. And if you are unfamiliar with their dedicated passages, you too, can learn and be inspired. Read Laura's sister Lisa's amazing faithful internet blog for updates and then you have Susie Van Ryn's touching prayer journal. Learn about the emotional passages said during the Cerak funeral. Compassionate People You will learn the true compassion of strangers, the offering of the Samaritan house to the Van Ryns; the couple who owned the pizza shop and brought so much pizza and bottled water to ICU. You will hear how the Van Ryns were surprised their neighbors cut the grass while the family was bedside to Laura. You will learn how the Ceraks through their grief received so many flowers, food, cookies, notes, cards and how they sat and listened intently to each of many phone messages offering comfort. False Parents I had to laugh at what Don Van Ryn said when he learned that his Laura referred to them as false parents. With that, you feel compassion for this family as they wrestled with the phrase "false parents." And then, share in the exchange of discovery that changed their lives, and the miracle of the Ceraks that could only be dreadful tragedy for the Van Ryns. This is a wonderful story that Hollywood could not have dreamed up! I have children, I feel for these amazing people, all of them..... Rizzo

The name of the book caught my eye, so I picked it up to read the description on the back. I had never heard of this event on the news and thought at first it was fiction. I gave it a chance and was stunned to find out this was a true story. What made this book so great were my own curiosity and the way the writers answer all my questions. It takes you step-by-step through the five and one half weeks. Somehow the parents have written it a way that you are able to see into their lives and thoughts. It is an easy read and to the point, which makes it nice.

The name of the book caught my eye, Mistaken Identity. I picked it up and read the description on the back. I had never heard of this news event and thought at first it was fiction. It looked interesting so I gave it a chance. I was stunned to find out this is a true story. As I read, I would ask myself an array of questions and possibilities. One of the great things about this book is the writers answer all of these questions unlike most books. The author's Don & Susie Van Ryn and Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak, did an excellent job putting themselves in the mind of the reader. It is written with consideration for what the reader would want to know about their experience. It also provides and intimate insight into their minds and families. Mistaken Identity takes the reader step-by-step through the five and one half weeks which these families endured. It is an easy read and to the point. I often find myself bored with lofty over explained books but this one was perfect. I highly recommend!

I am good friends with the parents of one of these families. I know how hard it was for them to tell their story... to open themselves up in this way. However, they obviously felt compelled to share knowing it would be a way of giving testimony to the faithfulness of God.... no matter what the circumstance. Both families share their stories in a very real way. They bring the reader into the most unbelievable, heartwrenching situations that for them were all too real. Hopefully as you read of their journey you will feel uplifted, grateful, challenged and more aware of the loving God these families have found to be so faithful and good.

I couldn't put this book down. It was such a compelling read that I kept turning page after page wanting to know what came next...eventhough I already knew how it ended. It is beautifully written, almost like reading a fiction book, and yet, of course, frightenly real. It is tragic that this actually happened, but I'm thankful to each family that they have chosen to tell their story. To share with us the grace and mercy, and abundant love that these two families have for one another. They have been a wonderful example of how we, too, can love and forgive, and have compassion towards one another when life doesn't play out how we would like. This book makes me want to live a deeper faith-filled life and always love and have faith...no matter what!