My Next Breath: A Memoir

12 days after his accident, Renner returned home with 38 broken bones and his house transformed by medical equipment. Going against his doctors’ advice, he immediately poured himself wine at his home bar, seeking a sense of normalcy, but his nephew Alex intervened. Renner’s first night proved agonizing due to the transition from intravenous to oral pain medications, and his mother considered calling an ambulance to return him to the hospital.

Renner’s reunion with his 10-year-old daughter Ava became the pivotal moment of his recovery. Having shielded her from seeing him in intensive care, he was concerned about her fear upon seeing his condition. He explained his injuries by comparing his broken bones to her friend’s broken arm, explaining that he would heal just as Ava’s friend was able to heal.

The interaction with Ava transformed Renner’s approach from individual healing to collective recovery. He recognized that his daughter, mother, and nephew all needed to heal from witnessing his trauma. He developed the philosophy of “milestones over tombstones” (163), committing to celebrate every achievement rather than dwelling on limitations. His recovery became about demonstrating resilience to those he loved.

Renner developed an unconventional approach to pain management by treating his body as a separate, personified entity.