Support for Charles Graves “Deaf Santa Claus” & Family

My name is Rachel Flores. Charles and Kari Graves are my very good friends. I am setting up this fundraiser to help them during their time of need. As many of you know, Charles, aka Deaf Santa, has been sick and hospitalized for over a month with acute pancreatitis. This began August 19 while Charles was at work and suddenly knew he had to get to the ER quick. There, he was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis caused by gall stones and his health rapidly declined with the pancreatitis effecting many of his other vital organs. Doctors determined that he would need to be put into a medically induced coma to allow his body to heal. Thankfully this was only required for a relatively short time. But because of all of this, Charles’ body has become very weak and he is still battling the effects of the pancreatitis. He remains in the hospital today, and as it stands, for an undetermined amount of time, as doctors work to figure out how to best help him. Once doctors feel Charles is well enough to be discharged, he will then need many weeks of physical therapy to get him back on his feet. Therefore, it will still be quite a while before Charles is able to return to work. As you can imagine, this will be, and has been, a significant blow to Kari and Charles’ income. On top of any of the medical bills which are not covered by insurance, there are numerous other costs that come along with this situation, which include gas and food expenses for Kari, to travel to and from the hospital each day so she can be there for Charles, to advocate for him and make sure he receives the care he needs. It is over 50 miles one way from New Braunfels to the hospital in Austin. And it takes additional time to make the trip when you include I35 traffic and construction. I am sharing this information with you all and asking you, if you are willing and able, to contribute to the costs of the Graves family situation. Charles and Kari are pillars in the Deaf Community of the San Antonio, New Braunfels & Austin metro area. They have done so much for so many people and our world would not be the same without them. I ask you to find it in your heart to support them, as they have done so for so many others over the years. And please, send a note of encouragement and prayer to Kari & Charles, as he faces a long and uphill battle in his recovery. Christmas needs Deaf Santa, and we are all rooting for him. Updates will be posted here as Charles progresses. Thank you all for your support.