River’s Story
The journey behind Hearts With River
River Before the Accident
From 0 to 14 months
Chapter One
The Accident
On November 26, 2017, my son River drowned. His mother left him alone in the bathtub. River was only 14 months old at the time. He was rushed to the hospital and the doctors were able to reanimate him and get a heartbeat.
River suffered an anoxic brain injury and the doctors painted a very dark picture, saying that River would never open his eyes again and asked me to let him go. I refused.
Chapter Two
Our Time in the Hospital
River and I have an incredible spiritual connection, and I knew it was only the beginning of our adventure. I stayed in the hospital with River for months, focusing on his healing.
I brought my piano and guitar in the hospital room and played music for him every single day. I talked to River, massaged him and stimulated his body while telling him about all the cool things we were going to do together.
“I knew it was only the beginning of our adventure.”
Chapter Three
Our Connection
I wrote songs by his side and felt that even though he was motionless and unresponsive, we had our own connection and communication.
After about two months River moved his big toe and began to open his eyes slightly. I was so happy and continued stimulating him and surrounding him with love.
Chapter Four
Coming Home
In my time at the hospital with him I researched day and night on brain injuries, healing, and recovery. I talked to other parents of children who had gone through near drownings and spoke to many specialists on the subject. I was eager to come home with River so that I could get him started on therapies that would help him heal.
I learnt all the special cares, how to use the ventilator, the oxygen machine, the nebulizer and the cough assist machine, how to give River breathing treatments, take care of his trach and g-tube and how to save his life in case of an emergency.
Although I was sleeping around 2-3 hours per night and these were the most physically demanding moments of my life, I was so happy and inspired to be home with River. He was in his familiar environment with the sounds and smells of home, all of his toys and musical instruments. I was able to sit with him at the piano and put toys in his hands. I also cooked and blended food for him so he wouldn’t have to eat the hospital g-tube formulas.
“I brought my piano and guitar in the hospital room and played music for him every single day.”
Chapter Five
Therapies and Joy
With the help of the Hearts With River community, I got River started on the therapy journey with chiropractic, physical therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, cold laser therapy, and more. Most of all I focused on making his days the most joyous possible.
Chapter Six
River Today
River is now 9 years old and he opens his eyes fully when he is awake. He gets excited when I jump on the trampoline with him, or when I help him walk around the house. The recovery journey is just beginning but so far, he has far surpassed what the doctors had thought he would be able to do.
I can tell River is excited about life by the sounds he makes, the way he moves his eyes and looks at me, and by the silent communication we share. He pushed me towards my own self-realization and has accelerated my own personal evolution.
“We had our own connection and communication.”
Chapter Seven
The Journey goes on
I am currently working on a movie about River’s life that is going to be called River the Phoenix and also on some songs about him. All of your prayers, positive thoughts, and financial support are tremendously appreciated. Thank you for helping us bring River back to life.
James Monroe
“Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow.”— River Phoenix
Music Video
The Greatest Love
Music has always been part of River’s world, and he is the inspiration behind this song. When I wrote the song, I was sitting at the piano with River on my lap. When we recorded the song in the studio, River was present at every stage. When I was singing, River was right in front of me. And when we filmed this music video together, it became an experience I will never forget.
More Music From the Journey
Tout est possible
Tout est possible was the first song I released for River.
It is a half English, half French song where I talk to River about an adventure. I was raised in both languages, and I love speaking French to River. With French, we can express love and emotion in a completely different way.
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