A Taylorsville family is still fighting to adopt a disabled boy from eastern Europe.

But as News Specialist Shelley Osterloh reports, they're afraid Immigration officials won't allow it.

Time is running out for little Kory Perkins. He was born in Poland without hands or legs below his knees and was left at the hospital at birth. He lived in an orphanage until Louise Perkins saw him last year.

Louise Perkins/adoptive mother: "I SAW HIS PICTURE ON THE INTERNET AND I JUST GOT HIS INTENSE FEELING THAT THIS LITTLE BOY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OURS."

Kory has lived with the Perkins for 8 months, but his medical visa runs out in a couple of weeks and as yet, the INS has not given the okay for the Perkins to adopt him.

The problems is, the Perkins have 6 other adopted children and most of them are physically or mentally disabled-- some severely-- and the INS wants to make sure the family has the means to look after yet another child.

John Perkins/Adoptive father: "MOST PEOPLE CAN TELL BY MEETING OUR FAMILY THAT WE ARE LOVING, CARING AND WE HAVE THE MEANS TO TAKE CARE OF THEM."

John works as a convenience store manager and Louise, a former registered nurse, stays home to care for the children. Their personal income is modest, but they also receive various government subsidies, which significantly increases their total income.

The problem is, INS rules don't take into account income from such subsidies.

So the family has sold snow cones and candy to raise money for the adoption and reduced their unsecured debt.

They've also had several independent home studies done, and letters of recommendation from clergy, teachers, and therapists.

Louise Perkins/Adoptive Mother: "WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THE I.N.S. HAS ASKED US TO DO FROM DAY ONE TO PROVE TO THEM THAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE CHILDREN."

Still, they are worried Kory might be sent back to the orphanage.

Stephanie Perkins/Kory's adoptive sister: "WE WOULD FEEL REALLY SAD AND ANGRY ABOUT IT, 'CAUSE WE LOVE HIM A LOT."

Kory: "I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO POLAND. I WANT TO STAY HERE."

Louise Perkins says she has always wanted children that no one else wanted.

Louise Perkins: "EVEN THE MOST HANDICAPPED OF OUR CHILDREN ARE CAPABLE OF PROGRESS AND THEY ARE CAPABLE OF JOY. IN FACT OUR MOST HANDICAPPED LITTLE GIRL I THINK, SHE BRINGS SO MUCH JOY INTO OUR HOUSE, THAT IT'S INCREDIBLE, HER LITTLE SPIRIT."

John Perkins: WE'VE BEEN THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN BLESSED, MORE THAN THE CHILDREN.

And while the family has worked to adopt Kory, they discovered another special needs child they believe is destined for their family: Marisol, a 3-year-old blind girl living in Nicaragua. They hope the INS allow them to adopt both children.

Louise Perkins: WE ARE WAITING ON ONE PIECE OF PAPER FROM IMMIGRATION FOR BOTH OF THEM, AND WE HOPE AND PRAY THAT WE CAN BE BLESSED WITH BOTH OF THESE MIRACLES."

The Perkins are raising money for Kory's adoption. In the meantime, the I.N.S. is likely to give its answer in the next few weeks.

August 4, 2002