Becca

 Mistaken Identity, Two Families, One Survivior, Unwavering Hope

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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.

Colleen Cerak woke up with a start to the sound of the phone ringing. Her eyes could barely focus as she tired to make out the alarm clock on the nightstand. It was nearly two in the morning, Wednesday, May 31. When she finally reached the phone, she thought she recognized the voice on the other end as a man identified himself as the Grant County Coroner. The same man had called five weeks earlier, telling her that Whitney, her eighteen-year-old daughter, had died in an accident along with three other Taylor University students and a university employee. That call also came late at night. Why would the coroner call me in the middle of the night now? She wondered.

I cannot tell you how much that meant to me. The more I thought about what she said, the more I realized I am fine who I am now. Yes, I’m different. I’m not the person I was before the accident, but that’s okay. I don’t want to go back and try to get back someone that’s gone forever. Carly set me free to just be me, the new me, the me that God made me to be, wherever that may lead.

**Grand Rapids Press**
"The tragedy was unthinkable. The mistake, unbearable. And the ensuing media frenzy was remarkable".

Publishers Weekly
" Those seeking a tale of extraordinary emotions to match the extraordinary circumstances will be disappointed: both families are devoutly religious, and their faith is of the sort that does not admit a great range of feelings. Anger and anguish are quickly recast as professions of faith and celebrations of life in Christ. "

BellaOnline's Disablilities Guest Author - Deborah Pipas
"This book is insightful, encouraging and helpful for families and those disabled accidentally"

"Meet Laura.." I chose this quote because of the realization it installs in you. I mean really think about that. How can anyone be buried under the wrong name or not have your loved ones by your side when you need them most? I would certainly be scared if I was Whitney. I think this quote brings that feeling and emotion to life. It makes it not just something written in a book but someone real life. I think this is why it matters so much to me and why I choose it because of the emotion it brings.

"Colleen Cerak.." I chose this quote because it is the climax of the story. In a single passage everything everyone thinks changs. The Ceraks go from accepting Whitney's death, to having to take care of a very sick daughter. Meanwhile, the Van Ryn's go from having spent every waking moment at the hospital for the last five weeks and having hope, to buring all that hope and having a funeral for their daughter. That's a big change and a big shock and this section is where it all begins and that is why I chose this section.

"I cannot tell you..." I chose this section because it shows hope for the future. It shows Whitney isen't looking back, she isen't holding grudges. It shows she is looking to what will come in the future. I also think it gives us a glance at her doubts. It shows us she wasen't always strong, she was human. I think she shows confidence in who she is today, which I think is one of the most inspirational parts of the book. To know that not everything wasn't easy, but that she battled through it, is just one of the most amazing parts of the book. Life doesn't stop, it countinues. This sections shows that Whitney is going to countinue on with it.

I choose this video because I think it represents the real __Mistaken Identity__. __Mistaken Identity__ wasn't mean to be a new story, or for the families to get their fifteen minutes of fame, it was about showing the true story. It shows us everything the families went through. They explain their side, their faith. When the accident happened no one said, why me? I think its apparent in the book why these families were chosen for this. They are both so incredibly strong in their faith and hope, as well as being caring, gentle and kind. They also accept the worst, but hope for the best, which I think is why the book was written. To show others their strength and to show the less glamous hollywood moments and to show the true story. So i chose this video not because it was a glamous hollywood trailer, but because it showed the true meaning of the book.

I choose the picture of Whitney and Oprah to show how big of a media freezy this was! I mean this story became an overnight national news story. Everyone wanted to get a piece of the story. I beliveve both families, however, keep good heads on their shoulders and didn't get caught up in all of this. They used all their energy tring to help Whitney get better, which I think showed good judgement. If they would have gotten wrapped up in the media they wouldn't have the energy to help Whitney. I think by letting Whitney heal and decide how she wanted to haddle it helped. In the end, I chose the picture to show the media imput and to show how well the families haddle the situation.

I also chose the picture of the van to show the damage this crash inflicted, as well as, Whitney's ending. I don't know if you can really come up with that picture in your head. I mean to visual that kind of pain and suffering. Just think that picture, plus being thrown over 100 feet like Whitney was, I mean it is a compleete miracle she survived. It also represents Whitney's old life coming to a complete end. That crash scene, the choas, thats exactly the same thing that happened to Whitney's life I think it shows the strength she has. I chose this picture becuase of what it represnts to Whitney and to show the true accident scene.