Pablo Acuña was born in Paraguay without arms and with severely underdeveloped legs. He has spent much of his life using a specially adapted wooden cart to move around with assistance.
When his two daughters were still little, their mother left the family.
Pablo wanted to give them a loving home. His own mother, Ignacia del Valle, stood beside him and helped raise the girls.
Decades later, one of those daughters returned from Argentina to help care for the father who had always been there for her.
The Father Known as Pablo Carretilla
Pablo lives in San Pedro del Paraná, Paraguay, where neighbors know him as Pablo Carretilla, a nickname referring to the wooden cart he uses for mobility.
His physical disability means he needs assistance with many everyday activities. He has nevertheless developed ways to use technology, including operating a phone and television remote with his nose.
He is known by relatives and neighbors for his humor, warmth, and love of conversation.
His story has attracted attention in Paraguay and internationally, especially because of his relationship with his two daughters.
When the Girls Were Little, Their Mother Left
According to family accounts reported by Paraguayan and international news outlets, Pablo's partner left when their younger daughter, Élida, was about four months old and the older girl was three.
Pablo remained committed to raising them.
But he did not do it without help.
His mother, Ignacia, played an essential role in the girls' upbringing, providing physical assistance and daily care while Pablo offered emotional guidance, affection, and support.
Together, they built a family life despite limited resources and considerable practical challenges.
Ignacia Was the Support Behind the Family
Ignacia had raised six children of her own.
When Pablo became a father, she helped him look after his daughters and navigate everyday responsibilities.
Her contribution was vital.
The family lived modestly, and for years they worried about housing costs and the future.
As Ignacia grew older, caring for Pablo became more physically demanding.
Still, the bond between mother and son remained a defining part of their household.
What His Daughter Said About Him
Élida has spoken publicly about how much she admires her father.
She has described him as her friend and confidant, someone who offers thoughtful advice even though he never attended school.
In a 2021 interview, she said she could not remember seeing him unhappy and praised his intelligence and sense of humor.
She also called him the best father in the world.
Those words reflected the way she understood his role in her life: not through physical tasks alone, but through the love, encouragement, and emotional presence he provided.
A Daughter Returned From Argentina
Élida had been living in Argentina when she decided to return to Paraguay to help care for her father and aging grandmother.
Her decision was reported as early as 2021.
By January 2026, local television coverage said she had been back for approximately six years.
Her return changed the family's daily routine.
The child who had once relied on her father and grandmother was now helping provide the support they needed.
It was a new chapter in a relationship built over decades.
The Family Faced a Difficult Goodbye
In January 2026, Telefuturo reported that Ignacia had died about a month earlier at age 97.
Her death marked the loss of a woman who had spent much of her life supporting Pablo and his daughters.
Élida continued helping her father.
The family also received assistance that made it possible to build a home adapted to Pablo's needs.
The new housing improved their living circumstances after years of uncertainty.
A Home Built With Help From Others
For many years, Pablo and his family had struggled with the cost of renting.
Earlier reporting described their efforts to raise enough money to secure a permanent home.
By 2026, community contributions had helped make an adapted house possible.
Even with the improved accommodation, Pablo remained attached to his wooden cart, which he found comfortable and familiar.
He affectionately described it as his home on wheels.
The assistance offered the family greater stability, while their relationships continued to provide the foundation of daily life.
The Love That Came Back Around
Pablo's story is sometimes described as a father overcoming disability through determination alone.
But the fuller story is about shared care.
Pablo raised his daughters with Ignacia's indispensable help. His daughters grew up knowing their father's affection and guidance. And when Pablo and Ignacia needed more assistance, Élida returned.
Each generation supported the next.
Pablo gave his daughters a lifetime of love. Years later, one of those daughters came home to give that love back.
This article reflects reporting through January 2026. Pablo's parenting journey involved substantial support from his mother and family; their contributions are an essential part of the story.
Sources: Telefuturo — January 2026 update; El Tiempo — Pablo and Élida's family story; TN — family interviews; La Nación Paraguay — family and housing.