I have read this book and it was fascinating to say the least ... i could not imagine how they couldn't see the difference ...I can only conclude that her face was so banged up that is why they couldn't tell .... It was an amazing book to read ... What a shock to find out you were grieving for the wrong reasons ... I can't wait till tomorrow to hear what they have to say on the subject.... More so for the one left behind thinking OH my god ... they don't know who i am ... she must of been devasted about what was going to happened ....

I am so moved by the Van Ryn family. In a time when everyone is heartbroken over the economy, we can all take a page out of the Van Ryn's book and be grateful for the things we do have. It amazes me that they are able to move forward with grace as well as love and happiness for Whitney and the Cerak family.

The Von Ryans are the most loving, kind, sincere, family I have ever seen, there is just not aenough adjectives in the vocabulary to describe them, all I can say the heart of God.

Norma

Hello Oprah,

Thank you so much for showing the program about the mistaken identity case again.

This same exact story happened to my cousin back in 1984 in Iowa. She was 16 years old at the time and we were told that she had died in a car accident with her father and a friend of her father's. There was another 15 year old in the car that was the daughter of the other gentleman.

Long story short, we attend the funeral of my cousin only to find out that she was in the hospital in Sioux City Iowa and would awaken 3 weeks later to another family sitting beside her bed.

This story has so many similarities it is scary. But the one thing that I felt compassion for was the family of the girl that really did die, They were not angry with the other family and embraced the other young girl. In my cousins case, the other mother was grief stricken to loose her husband and daughter but as the years past she ran into my cousin at a local Wal-Mart and was really very cruel to her.

Thanks for sharing this story and I just wanted to you know that there are people out there that have also walked in those shoes. My cousin is now almost 40 and living a wonderful life in Colorado.

Sincerely,

Marg Perrin - Iowa

Wow -- what a story and what a show. Everyone involved is truly remarkable, but Laura's father is an inspiration. I wish them all the very best...

God bless both of these families. Despite the tragedy, I can see the light of Christ shining through you. One day when you are reunited with your beautiful child, God will look upon you and say, "well done, good and faithful servant."

First, this story was amazing on so many levels. To begin, I could not imagine the heartache each of these families suffered from the accident but the strength of God was simply amazing. The strength of all the members of the Van Ryn's family is astonishing because they had to lay their daughter to rest after they spend numerous hours next to Whitney. Bless both of these families for their faith and love in God and each other. Lastly, I think it was great that the conclusion of this story included the others that lost their life in the accident, may God bless their families as well.

I agree Wow i can not tell you how refreshing it is to finally see someone come on the show and give the glory to the only one who deserves it and they did not cut it out of the show or water it down, They stated there faith the way it was and God says that we are to be able to give a reason for our faith and they did. People wonder what do BAd things Happen to goood People esspecially in these times and there is not always an answer but that is what faith is, I do however believe that God allowed there story to play out the way it did for such a time as this because God knew that they would give him the glory and not hold Back. That may not be the full reason only God knows but i think that that was part of the reason. Give God the Glory no matter what, He saved us from going to hell the least we can do is glorify him, if for no other reason.

thanks

I also read this book and it was one of the best books I have read.

There were things I questioned like why didn't the Ceraks identify the body, how did the VanRyn's know it wasn't Laura? But I guess if I were in their position, I may have done the same things.

I only live about 45 minutes from the Cerak family. And for me it would be an honor to meet them and tell them what the book meant to me.

This story is so unreal, almost identical story back in the 1980's,the only difference was the names,

I have to research it, it was in the DC-Va area, the one family buried the girl who they thought was their daughter

only to find out there daughter was still alive, it gave me chills to think that this could happen again, the story

I am thinking of was an accident also, but the girls had changed ID's, and so when the families were contacted

they believed that the police could not have been mistaken, and the girls faces were so swollen, they could not

tell them apart.

These are two amazing families. We can all learn some very important life messages from these wonderful loving people. My heart ached for all of them.

AMAZING GRACE!! How sweet the sound of unwavering Hope in the faith of these truly Christian families. Newell Cerak said that the source of his hope was in his personal savior Jesus Christ. And, Don Van Ryn said that his favorite verse in the Bible is "... What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God?" (Micah 6:8) These two testamonies of true biblical faith in God speak volumes. Thank you Oprah for rebroadcasting this refreshing story. Shows like this one, and the one you did with the family whose baby went to Heaven are awe inspiring, especially in today's world.

I rarely get to see and entire show, but I'm so glad I got to see this one. What a treasure! Thank you Oprah!

Marg, I'm glad you brought this up. I am from Sioux City and remember that case, too. When I saw the news of the recent event, I thought it was strange that no one mentioned your cousin's case....not even the local TV channels or Journal. Perhaps it was because of the attitude of the other mother.

Both were very traumatic events and all the families suffered greatly. It really was something how similar the 2 events were.

Lani in Sioux City

I watched this show and was in total shock. This is an amazing story. I liked it so much that as soon as the show went off i ordered the book. I am not a fan of reading.. But this has to be a great book. These two families seem so strong and loving. Once again, It is AMAZING!!!