Mistaken Identity Pg. 125-180

Written by Don and Susie Van Ryn and Newell, Colleen, And Whitney Cerak with Mark Tabb

Summary:

Chapter 12 begins with great news. "Laura" said "Hi" the first word in two weeks. She has also been very active throughout the night. With "Laura" in a wheelchair, her, the doctor and her mother took a stroll outside. She has also occasionally been opening her eyes. Mostly just her left eye. After three weeks, she was well enough to be transported to the hospital in Michigan. To keep her from hurting herself at night from her movement, she is zipped up on her bed. The end of the chapter talks about the generous neighbors and friends the Van Ryns have because they returned home to neatly cut grass, a clean house, and freshly stocked cabinets and refrigerator.

The next chapter talks about the Cerak family and their coping  with Whitney's death. Colleen gives Whitney's clothes to her sisters and friends. They all then travel to Taylor to attend a memorial service for the victims killed in the accident. There Newell meets Don Van Ryn. Mr and Mrs Cerak return home leaving the girls at Taylor to return to their school work.

The following chapter began with "Laura" constantly ripping off her neck brace. And her mom putting it back on. She has been making progress in physical therapy too. She knows opposites, what day it is, and knows names. Not exactly the right names but names. She calls herself Whitney, her boyfriend Hunter, and her sister Carly.

Don was wheeling "Laura" from therapy and she said "false parents". Don just blew it off as part of her recovery. But when Don told Lisa she got curious. She quickly look for a CD that was sent by the Cerak's. It had Whitney's picutre on it, and Lisa began caving. She thought, "I'm not sure the girl in the hospital bed is really Laura." The girl in the picture had "Laura's" wide eyes and teeth. Even people who visited took Don aside and said that she didn't look like Laura.

Finally, the whole family knew the they have been caring for was really Whitney. They consulted the hospital and they thought it was best to give the dental records of Laura to a specialist. The family now has to confront the truth.

Response:

For these first chapters I don't have much to respond on because not happened. I was glad to hear though that "Laura" was becoming more active. I also thought it was ironic that Newell and Don met at the memorial service because soon both their lives will be switched around.

The later chapters on the otherhand, drew me in. I couldn't stop reading.  Finally, having the family know the truth is a great relief. It had to have been toturous for Whitney to constantly be called something else. She knew they weren't her parents but she could nothing.