Interview with Kari Graves, wife of “Deaf Santa”
I will show an interview with Kari Graves, the wife of “Deaf Santa” Charles Graves. I shared a news story last week about Charles and his health struggles.
[Begin interview]
Kari Graves: Hello, my name is Kari Graves. Charles and I have been married for 26 years. We were college sweethearts.
Alex: Wow, touching. Can you provide an update on how Charles is doing?
Kari: He is on his way to recovery but it’s going very slowly. It requires patience because we’re ready to go back to normal and back to work but we’re grateful that we’re on track to recovery. He’s eating a bit better and can walk a bit with a rollator walker. He’s going to physical therapy. I hope it’ll speed up his recovery and strength.
Alex: I read your comments to a local newspaper that you faced frustrations with interpreters — either you weren’t satisfied with the VRI or there were no in-person interpreters provided. Can you explain if you’re still experiencing these issues? Resolved?
Kari: Unfortunately, it was a horrible experience for him and myself. We are both Deaf. We repeatedly requested the hospital to provide in-person interpreters but they didn’t until one week after he was in a medically-induced coma and after he was intubated. We have a wonderful team of interpreters from San Antonio that were willing to drive up and interpret for us until the hospital finally provided in-person interpreters. It was not without a struggle. We had to write letters and hand it to hospital officials. They agreed to provide interpreters but for only short times instead of all day and night. We had a hard time with VRI for various reasons. There was no easel or a pole and we had to hold the device with our hands — while we needed to sign. Their internet was horrible. We are both Deaf so it is hard for us to fit in one small screen. The doctor was not trained on how to use VRI. His health issues was also very complicated. It’s not a simple cold. He almost died several times. We didn’t understand what was going on. Sign language is also a 3-D language so it’s better to have an in-person interpreter so you can see facial expressions and body language. My husband Charles was immobile from the neck down for several weeks so it was hard for the VRI to see his face and his hands. It was traumatic for us. They did finally provide interpreters during the last few weeks. It really helped with better communication.
Alex: The Austin area is well-known for having a strong Deaf community but you’re still facing many issues.
Kari: I hope we can at least educate them a bit for future Deaf patients. I don’t want anyone to go through what we did.
Alex: I understand. Now, it’s sad that you both can’t do the “Deaf Santa” events due to the illness. How do you both feel during this month of December?
Kari: We are very sad that we have to cancel all of our Deaf Santa events that were for children’s sake. I know it’s important for them to have a magical experience. To be able to communicate with a Deaf Santa. But we know of one or two people who are able to take Deaf Santa’s place and we’re grateful. It’s hard for us during this month and we have to focus on his health. We hope that 2025 will be even bigger and better!
Alex: For sure. During December, many people donated to your GoFundMe and I’m sure many have given support in different ways. What does it mean to you to see the community’s support through this time?
Kari: We feel overwhelmed in a good way to have so much support in different ways. From getting a “Get Well” card to text check-ins to comments on social media, it shows people care about him and our family. Some offered help like home-cooked meals. The donations help with our medical bills that are not covered by insurance. Also with regular bills because he hasn’t worked for four months. The paychecks are dwindling. We hope he can go back to work in early 2025 but it’s hard to predict with his health. One day at a time. We truly appreciate everyone’s support during this difficult time.
Charles, the Deaf Santa, has a special comment for you all!
Charles “Deaf Santa” Graves: Hello to all of you! It is so amazing to see the support, the donations, all the help for us. Thank you so much. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I love you!
Alex: Our hearts are with you and especially with you, Charles through this time. We are hoping for your continued recovery.
Charles and Kari: Thank you.
[End interview]
Alex: Thank you so much. It’s tough to see how they’ve struggled with health issues and had to deal with hospitals and medical centers not providing the communication needs that they wanted. I reached out to one of the hospitals but they did not give an immediate response.
Graves’ story as a Deaf Santa was featured in a documentary called “Deaf Santa Claus.” It was shown at the Austin Film Festival and the film is in the works to be shown to the wider public in the future.
Here is a comment from the documentary’s co-director Anthony Mowl.
[Full-screen text]
“Charles is an incredibly special person, and we were honored to spend time with him over the course of almost two years filming and telling his story. We have no doubt that Charles will make a complete recovery and his impact will be felt for many years to come. It’s hard for us all to see Charles battling right now and we hope everyone can help support a man so full of kindness and love for others. We’re very proud of the documentary Deaf Santa Claus and we look forward to sharing Charles’ story widely soon. Visit DeafSantaClaus.com or follow @deafsantaclaus for film release information when available.”
- Anthony Mowl, Co-Director
Alex: So, this is a tough time for the Graves family, but it is inspiring to see how there’s support and hope for a brighter and better future.
I’ve put links to a GoFundMe to support the Graves family and more information about the “Deaf Santa Claus” documentary in the transcript.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-charles-graves-deaf-santa-claus-family
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Sponsored video by Convo: www.convorelay.com
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