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Location: Home » Books » Religious » Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

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Authors: Don & Susie Van Ryn, Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak
Creator: Mark Tabb
Publisher: Howard Books
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$21.99~~
Buy New: $12.52
You Save: $9.47 (43%)

New (37) Used (16) Collectible (2) from $9.95

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

135 reviews
Sales Rank: 1553

Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.7 x 1.3

ISBN: 1416567356
Dewey Decimal Number: 617.4810440922
EAN: 9781416567356
ASIN: 1416567356

Publication Date: March 25, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope (Thorndike Press Large Print Core Series)
•	Kindle Edition - Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope
•	Audio CD - Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope
•	Audio Download - Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope (Unabridged)
•	Paperback - Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

Accessories:

•	Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Meet Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak: one buried under the wrong name, one in a coma and being cared for by the wrong family.

This shocking case of mistaken identity stunned the country and made national news. Would it destroy a family? Shatter their faith? Push two families into bitterness, resentment, and guilt?

Read this unprecedented story of two traumatized families who describe their ordeal and explore the bond sustaining and uniting them as they deal with their bizarre reversal of life lost and life found.

And join Whitney Cerak, the sole surviving student, as she comes to terms with her new identity, forever altered, yet on the brink of new beginnings.

Mistaken Identity weaves a complex tale of honesty, vulnerability, loss, hope, faith, and love in the face of one of the strangest twists of circumstances imaginable.

Customer Reviews: Read 130 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Heart-grabbing read January 6, 2009
I had heard this story and wondered how something so bizarre could have happened. After reading the book, I have a better understanding. The Ceraks didn't identify the body that officials claimed was Whitney. They wanted to remember her as they'd last seen her. Laura's pocketbook was found beside the survivor, and her face was swollen and bruised. As she emerged from the coma, her initial responses to the family certainly indicated she was Laura. She knew family members and friends (the girls did not really know each other). According to the photographs taken at the time she was coming out of the coma, Whitney bore a striking resemblance to Laura.

Still, it's a strange story. I admit, I wanted to read this book because I just didn't believe the Van Ryn family could be so gullible. The more I read, the more I came to admire both families for their love, commitment and faith. I can't imagine this was an easy story to tell, but they do so with an unabashed honesty that refuses to cast blame and points to a loving God.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Seen On Oprah. Page Turner. December 29, 2008
This book is a real page turner. When I saw the show on Oprah I could not imagine that a family would not recognize their own child or sister.
When you see how similar the girls are in appearance, you will be amazed!
I think the part that effected me most was when the girl wrote fake parents and Whitney on paper. They thought she was their daughter Laura!
Just imagine how dreadful it was for both families.

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Testament of Faith! December 17, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

This was one of the most amazing books that I have read in my life. It was a true testament of faith! I was inspired by both families. It was so beautiful that the Cerak's were able to relate to the Van Ryn's after discovering that the daughter that they grieved for was still alive. I think that most people would be a little angry, but the Cerak's and the Van Ryn's both showed so much compassion towards each other. I loved that the families shared their intimate prayers. I think that Whitney is an amazing young woman, and cannot even imagine what it would feel like to discover that your family had had a funeral for you. Seeing your own obituary has to be very humbling experience.

2 out of 5 stars

are glasses sold in Indiana? December 17, 2008
1 out of 6 found this review helpful

Sure the family wanted to believe that their daughter was alive. Maybe she looked as though she surfed a mile on the interstate with only clothing between her and the asphalt. But those people were sharing in a delusion. Or do all girls in IN look the same, The only part that I like was the forgiveness, the reluctance to not sue. These are good people, maybe I'll move there next time I get sued for accidently taking somebody's shopping cart at the market.
Mike Pin from CA

3 out of 5 stars

A TESTIMONIAL OF GOD'S LOVE November 22, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Wow, what a story and a testimonial to God's words and a test of faith. I live in Indiana and I was quite moved by this story. I was, however, surprised when I heard a book was being made about this story since the families openly stated their strong opinion against the media. But obviously, both families came around and warmed up to the media when the bills started rolling in.

It's pretty hard to believe that a hospital would allow a NON family member to identify a body. I guess that this is where this whole dilemma started. I can understand why the mother would not want to see the body of "her" deceased daughter, but it's absolutely horrifying to know that some hospitals allow ANYONE to identify a body - YIKES ! Historically, and for a good reason, a family member makes the identification - and this story is the perfect reason for it. So I'm sure this incident has changed their policies on the way this happened. You definitely cannot blame the EMS because they were simply treating horrific wounds in darkness where victims were thrown from vehicles.

It's a good read -- for the most part --a little hard to follow because the author(s) included too many names that were insignificant to the reader that made it confusing to keep track of who was who.

I thought it was of good taste to include many exerts from the Bible since this occurrence was a true testimony of faith as God's words as the power source. I can't imagine the pain and joy this family went through and it was a great idea to treat the book in such a way.

The author(s) did make a strong statement and it definitely made me think about my own faith. I believe that most people will question the strength of their own faith when you compare it to the faith of both of these families.

I feel for all of those involved. I pray Whitney continues to get her true personality back and that God blesses her in her life. Both families still need continued prayer.

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