Carlos Campos (65) from Douglasdale, Johannesburg is not your average grandfather. Known to his family as “Abuelo Cazador” — the hunter grandpa — he’s an old-school tech wizard, a proud Spanish soul, and a Fallout-fan gamer who’s raised a generation of curious minds under his quiet, determined wing. Complete with a stubborn streak that turns every setback into “just another puzzle to solve” is a deeply empathetic soul who tears up at good news stories and never forgets a birthday call.
A former IT pioneer, Carlos helped usher South Africa into the digital age in the 1980s, solving server problems by day and teaching programming by night and helped businesses take their first steps into the digital world. Today, long after retirement, his legacy continues — by applying his problem-solving mind wherever he can and in bedtime science talks, Lego-building quests, and virtual adventures with his grandchildren.
“Abuelo Cazador” and His Legacy of Learning
Carlos’s son, Brynmor — affectionately known as Bryn — followed in his father’s digital footsteps and now works in information security.
“Dad showed me that every line of code has a story,” Bryn says. “He taught me how to think, problem-solve, and be curious. Even now, with limited mobility, he’s the calm co-pilot on every new adventure with my kids.”
Brynmor, or “Bryn” as he’s known, is Carlos’s son, protégé, and unapologetic geek-in-chief.
“Dad is the reason I work in information security today,” says Bryn. “He showed me that every line of code hides a story, and that every problem has a solution if you care enough to look.”
To his grandchildren, Carlos is their favorite teammate. Whether they’re building Minecraft castles or chasing down monsters in Fallout 76, his steady voice through a headset is their compass.
“It’s a broken world where people still choose hope,” Carlos says of his favourite game. “Sounds a lot like real life, eh?”
The family of six — Brynmor, his wife, their two kids, and Carlos and his wife — live under one roof, sharing not only space but every emotional and financial burden. One of their favourite memories is still the day Carlos booted up Fallout 76, handed each grandkid a controller, and said, “Let’s hunt scorched beasts!” They didn’t get very far, but the giggles echoed through the house for hours.
“Dad has always been the calm engine room of our family. Growing up, I remember midnight ‘science shows’ in the backyard — he’d lug out a telescope, point to Saturn’s rings, and explain why curiosity is our super-power. Now, as a grandpa, he’s the gentle co-pilot on every adventure my kids dream up. Whether they’re building Lego space stations or troubleshooting a Minecraft server, ‘Abuelo’ (their affectionate Spanish nickname for him) is the first call they make.”
But behind the joyful memories and glowing screens lies a mounting crisis. After surviving a heart attack, spending eight months on a ventilator following COVID-19, and now facing permanent oxygen dependence, Carlos and his family are battling overwhelming medical costs — and doing it all from the heart of their home, where three generations live under one roof.
Health Setbacks and Financial Strain
Carlos’s health struggles began in 2017 with a heart attack and valve replacement. In 2019, he nearly lost his life to COVID-19 and spent eight months in ICU. The virus left him bedridden, with seizure-induced paralysis on his left side. With time, he relearned to walk using aids — and with characteristic stubbornness, kept showing up for his family.
In early 2025, doctors diagnosed Carlos with a rare oxygen-blood disorder, leaving him permanently dependent on a home oxygen machine.
The emotional and financial burden on the family — including Carlos’s wife, Bryn, Bryn’s wife, and their two kids — has been immense. Between medical bills, oxygen rentals, and transport, the family has cancelled holidays, postponed celebrations, and drained their savings.
But the Compos family hasn’t lost hope.
Finding Help and Hope Through Community
On 29 May 2025, Bryn launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to help ease the pressure. The goal: R300,000 for Carlos’s ongoing needs — from a sleep apnea machine and updated gaming setup, to home safety equipment and a lightweight oxygen concentrator.
To date, the campaign has raised R95,700 from 84 donors, covering major expenses like a mobility scooter and modern gaming gear — allowing Carlos to finally go outdoors and rejoin family outings.
“Helping him through this fundraiser isn’t charity for me, it’s gratitude,” says Bryn. “It’s my chance to steady the shoulders that carried me.”
Carlos recently enjoyed his first family outing in years — a memory made possible through community support and the purchase of a mobility scooter of which has made a huge impact in the lives of the Campos family.
Should the campaign surpass its goal, the family plans to install grab rails and ramps, replace Carlos’s mattress with one that supports his posture, and build a small fund to manage future health emergencies.
“Every donation feels like a hand on our shoulder saying, ‘You’re not alone,’” Bryn shares.
Carlos puts it even more beautifully:
“I may need a machine to breathe, but every one of you is the air in that machine.”
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/assist-a-family