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Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope
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 tw...more
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 tw...more
Hardcover, 275 pages
Published
March 25th 2008
by Simon and Schuster
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It took me a couple of hours to read this book where the central question was never answered. Two girls from good Christian families (much is made of this, but I can't see how the book would have been any different - other than thinner - if they'd been atheists) were in a car crash. One was killed and buried without her parents ever seeing her presumably-mangled body. The other lived but was in a coma. The two girls were the same age, both blue-eyed blonde types and from the pictures, quite s...more
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This book is absolutely touching. Be prepared to cry!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I thought this was an amazing story about this crazy event. The thing that got me to read it was the prologue.
Here's a quote from the prologue: "The story of how two girls, Laura Van Ryn and WhitneyCerak, could be mistaken for each other may seem fantastic and unbelievagle, yet that's not the real story here. This book is really about how God has sustained two families through His grace. We hope after al that is said on these pages, you see it is really all about Him."...more
Here's a quote from the prologue: "The story of how two girls, Laura Van Ryn and WhitneyCerak, could be mistaken for each other may seem fantastic and unbelievagle, yet that's not the real story here. This book is really about how God has sustained two families through His grace. We hope after al that is said on these pages, you see it is really all about Him."...more
The story itself is fascinating - I remember it from the news when it happened, and as soon as I saw there was a book about it, I knew I had to read about it from the families' views.
But, but, but. Ugh. I would have LOVED the book if it hadn't been so preachy. I'm a religious person, but I don't believe in the same way that they do. And that was like 3/4 of the book...
I can understand that they used prayer and their faith as the way to deal...my son was in the hospita...more
But, but, but. Ugh. I would have LOVED the book if it hadn't been so preachy. I'm a religious person, but I don't believe in the same way that they do. And that was like 3/4 of the book...
I can understand that they used prayer and their faith as the way to deal...my son was in the hospita...more
This was an unbelievable story! A van carry several college students was hit head-on by a semi, and 5 of the students died. One girl (Whitney) was thrown 50 feet from the van, and became comatose. The purse of another girl (Laura) was found next to her. After looking at the drivers license, the authorities assumed that she was the girl in the photo. In reality, the girl who the purse actually belonged to was one of the students who was killed. So, Whitney, the girl who was comatose, was be...more
You probably remember this story from the news: a van carrying a group of students from Taylor University is involved in a horrible crash with five dead. After 5 weeks, it is discovered that there had been an error in identification, and that Laura Van Ryn, whose family had been by her side 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, was actually Whitney Cerak.
Let that sink in a minute. The Cerak family had buried "Whitney" weeks earlier, and her mother, Colleen, gets a phone call at 2...more
Let that sink in a minute. The Cerak family had buried "Whitney" weeks earlier, and her mother, Colleen, gets a phone call at 2...more
I was very reluctant to rate this book because this book is written by two families that experienced an emotional roller-coaster ride that no one else can possibly understand. Even for those of us that have lost a child, the circumstances they went through are so unique to them. They openly shared their emotions and thoughts; and relived a period in their lives that was extremely painful. No one has the right to judge how they handled the situation. It may be hard to understand how the famil...more
My favorite part: "At the end of the movie, Hank's character says to Private Ryan with his dying breath something like, "Earn this." It's like he's telling Private Ryan to do something so special with his life that it will make other soldiers' deaths worth it. That's the kind of how I felt when people told me how God must have some great purpose in mind for me. I started to think that if I didn't do something amazing with my life, then I was letting God and everyone in the acciden...more
This was a book I saw on another friends list just this morning and it was one of those that I just felt I needed to read. I found it at the library today and read it cover to cover this afternoon. One thing that struck me the most was that both families left alone the question of "Who's to blame" of "How could this happen?" in the sense of pointing the finger at someone. They didn't think about getting back at the truck driver or at anyone who had a part in the mistake th...more
What a harrowing experience. After Taylor University's van crashes, one family buries their daughter, one family nurses theirs through severe injuries and a coma. Until about 5-6 weeks later, when the Van Ryns, the family nursing their daughter, realize there has been a terrible mistake.
What is most notable about this book is the strong faith of each family involved. Throughout the most tragic of circumstances, each relies on God. They don't deny their emotional anguish, but insist...more
What is most notable about this book is the strong faith of each family involved. Throughout the most tragic of circumstances, each relies on God. They don't deny their emotional anguish, but insist...more
The incredible true story of two girls, college students, involved in a car accident that led a tragic case of mistaken identity. While Whitney Cerak was pronounced dead at the scene, Laura Van Ryn was taken to a hospital, where her shocked and concerned family arrived a few hours later. While the Cerak’s went through the unthinkable; burying their daughter and desperately navigating an insurmountable amount of grief, the Van Ryn’s spent agonizing hours in the hospital waiting for surgeries, d...more
I was drawn to this story after seeing part of an interview on Oprah. As an avid reader of true life stories I was interested in founding out more about this tragic event. Instead I got more of a lesson on the family's version of Christianity. I am sure that the families involved are all lovely people who then shared a tragedy that I could not imagine. I also have a daughter the same age as Whitney so I felt I may have connected with the story in some way. However this book was not well written...more
You CANNOT put this book down! an unbelievable true story about 2 young girls who are in a bad car accident– one girl lives, the other girl dies.
the Cerak family is told that their daughter Whitney is dead. they have her funeral and try to figure out how they are going to live without her. the Van Ryn family is told that their daughter Laura has survived but has been severely injured. they never leave her side as she slowly recovers. 5 weeks later Laura is making progress, learning ...more
the Cerak family is told that their daughter Whitney is dead. they have her funeral and try to figure out how they are going to live without her. the Van Ryn family is told that their daughter Laura has survived but has been severely injured. they never leave her side as she slowly recovers. 5 weeks later Laura is making progress, learning ...more
Mistaken Identity (2008)
By Don & Susie Van Ryn and Newell, Colleen, & Whitney Cerak
Grade: A
The accident was horrible. The mistake, unbelievable. The media attention was extraordinary.
In the book titled “Mistaken Identity”, written two years after the mistaken-identity drama, Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak’s lives began to unfold. “Mistaken Identity” reveals the details and emotions surrounding both of the Michigan Families story.
Van Ryn of...more
By Don & Susie Van Ryn and Newell, Colleen, & Whitney Cerak
Grade: A
The accident was horrible. The mistake, unbelievable. The media attention was extraordinary.
In the book titled “Mistaken Identity”, written two years after the mistaken-identity drama, Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak’s lives began to unfold. “Mistaken Identity” reveals the details and emotions surrounding both of the Michigan Families story.
Van Ryn of...more
I found this book at a library book sale and was drawn to this very unusual true story. I have to say that it isn't well written - you won't be drawn into the book because of the interesting writing style, etc. But the story got me hooked because it is so unusual. I kept reading because I really wanted to find out what would happen.
I just had to know how a family could go on for 5 weeks thinking an accident victim was their daughter, and then what finally made them realize it wasn...more
I just had to know how a family could go on for 5 weeks thinking an accident victim was their daughter, and then what finally made them realize it wasn...more
I made the mistake of reading some of the other reviews before writing my own. I am shocked by the insensitiviy and callousness of some people. It's one thing to not like the book, it's another to criticize and condemn people who have suffered through this. It seems to be a recurring theme for me lately.
Anyway, I started reading this book last night and finished it this morning. Many times I was brought to tears and inspired by the love and devotion people can have for one another. Th...more
Anyway, I started reading this book last night and finished it this morning. Many times I was brought to tears and inspired by the love and devotion people can have for one another. Th...more
I saw an interview on TV for this book a while back and went out to purchase the book later that week. I didn't intend to read it right away, but found myself so intrigued by the story of how these two girls got mixed up and how their identity was incorrect for so long that I couldn't help but start to read the book. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down.
The story is of a horrible car accident that leaves one survivor. The one survivor is thought to be one girl, and it is fo...more
The story is of a horrible car accident that leaves one survivor. The one survivor is thought to be one girl, and it is fo...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I just saw an interview of some of the family members with Matt Lauer on the 3 year anniversary of the accident. He said two things that impressed me: 1. Many people are moved by the story of the family, but the most moving part of their story is their faith. 2. He has interviewed many families over the years, but he has been more impressed with these two families than by any other families he has ever interviewed. What a testimony!
If you haven't read this book yet, you must!
If you haven't read this book yet, you must!
After the car accident that killed 5 people, The Van Ryn family was informed that their daughter Laura survived and was taken to a nearby hospital in a comatose state. Meanwhile, the Cerak family was informed that their daughter Whitney was pronounced dead on the scene. The Van Ryn family maintained a bedside vigil for their daughter for 5 solid weeks until they started noticing things about the girl that made them realize it was not Laura.
After positively identifying the girl as Whitney C...more
After positively identifying the girl as Whitney C...more
Heidi
rated it
When I picked up this book I wasn't expecting what I got. What I got was - in a number of ways, a treatise on prayer; not unlike, and yet diametrically opposite to, CS Lewis' "Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer". (The title of that book has changed multiple times: I stick with the one I first encountered.)
"Mistaken Identity" is the story of two young women involved in a fatal car accident in the midwest of the USA. One girl is identified as a survivor, and for...more
"Mistaken Identity" is the story of two young women involved in a fatal car accident in the midwest of the USA. One girl is identified as a survivor, and for...more
This is a true story about a horific accident involving a semi-truck and a college van in which several people were killed. The story focuses on two of the girls--Whitney Cerak, the one who died and the other, Laura Van Ryn, who did not. When the accident first happened, Laura was severely injured and her head was completely bandaged up. Her blond hair was poking out through the bandages and her eyes were blue so how would anyone know that it was not really Laura? Once the the bandages came ...more
Got this one read in just a couple of days. I knew this true story would be inspiring, but I was expecting it to be so inspiration! This is a fantastic read of two girls who were in a vehicle accident while on a college trip. They were similar in build and both had blonde hair, which caused for an accidental misidentification. One girl dies and the wrong family buries her and mourns her death while the other family spends five weeks constantly by the bedside of the girl they thought was their da...more
*Two Families, One survivor, Unwavering Hope* A grief reversed, a hope deferred. The stunning story of 2 families trading places from gravesite to bedside. 5 lives were lost in a tragic accident involving a Taylor University van. 5 funerals were held and 5 weeks passed for the Cerak family. Believing they'd lost their youngest daughter, they clung to faith and worshipped God through their tears. 5 weeks passed for the Van Ryn family as they kept a constant bedside vigil over their youngest daugh...more
Greenyogurt
added it
Recommends it for:
pretty much nobody
Recommended to Greenyogurt by:
found at library
It was okay. I was interested enough to finish it, but I couldn't really suggest it in good faith. There are way more interesting things to be reading.
What I learned from this book is that I still have issues with people who are very religious, and should not be face to face with them for too long, as at some point they will mention their faith and then I will roll my eyes, and then they will be offended.
What I learned from this book is that I still have issues with people who are very religious, and should not be face to face with them for too long, as at some point they will mention their faith and then I will roll my eyes, and then they will be offended.
Alicia
rated it
Recommends it for:
anyone interested that would not be deterred by the highly-Christian viewpoint
Shelves:
read-in-2009
This heart-wrenching story about the identity mix-up after a deadly crash involving a Taylor University van is sure to touch you. Going into this book, I must admit that I expected to learn the details of the accident and how the mistaken identity could have happened. However, the prologue explains that this story is, instead, written as testimony to God and shows how He helped the families cope during this tragic situation. Instead of wanting more of the "details" I found myself enj...more
This was a "guilty pleasure" read. When this incident happened a few years ago -- a mixup in the identifications of these two car crash victims -- I was somewhat perplexed at how such a mistake could go unnoticed, especially with the surviving crash victim surrounded around the clock by her friends and family. This question of how such a thing could go unnoticed is glossed over in the book (much to my disappointment), other than to explain that one family never viewed the remains of th...more
i checked this out at the library and read it in less than 12 hours. i had remembered seeing the event reported on the news. while i find the book interesting and would still consider it a good read, it wasn't what i expected. it definitely proves there are still FAITHFUL and LOVING people in the world that are interested in living out their faith... and i am glad that they used the book to show so many examples of God's faithfulness and love. i would however have like to have known more abo...more
First of all, the book has way too much evangelical preaching for my taste. I skipped a lot of that... But the main thing that is frustrating about this book is this: how is it possible that NO ONE: not the mother, not the father, nor the sisters or the boyfriend, nor close friends, NO ONE realized that they had the wrong girl there? Especially, since according to the book itself her face was not extremely bruised and looked "almost normal". I mean yes, the girls resembled each other ...more
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