Carlos from Peru : A lesson in persistence in battling language barriers and disability

After Carlos's mother remarried and relocated from Peru to Tasmania in 1972, 12-year-old Carlos was meant to follow. His visa application was rejected and Carlos was left in the care of his elderly grandmother who was too old to look after him properly.   Carlos, though a victim of polio at an early age had made him lame, lived a privileged early life, but left to educate himself through his high school years, life was tough in Peru.   His parents had stressed to him the importance of getting an education should he make it to Australia, but it wasn't until 1984 that he was able to visit them on a tourist visa and after many trials was able to get residence.    Although initially he did not like Hobart - he spoke no English and there were almost no Spanish speakers,  he would eventually go on to study art in Hobart and become an accomplished wood artist. Carlos's is a great story of resilience and persistence and a strong pride in his Peruvian heritage