Sept. 27, 2000

There are an estimated 600,000 children living in orphanages in Russia and the former Soviet Republics. Their plight has touched the hearts of millions of people, including a family in Alpine, Utah.

The couple adopted not one, but two children, one of them with a severe disability.

News Specialist Carole Mikita has their story.

When Brad and Melody Pelo first saw the children on videotape, they fell in love with them. But little did they know it would be the boy behind the birthday cake, who would change their lives.

The Pelos have seven children of their own. They originally traveled to Khazakstan this summer to adopt a little girl. They were not able to, so they decided to take the boy named Christopher. Then they saw David. They decided to take him, too.

Melody and Brad Pelo, adoptive parents: "HE'D BEEN TOLD HE'D NEVER BE ADOPTED BECAUSE OF HIS LEG. AMERICANS WANT PERFECT CHILDREN. THEY MEASURE THEIR HEADS, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE, MANY OF THEM DO, THAT THERE'RE NO PHYSICAL PROBLEMS. BUT WHEN WE SAW DAVID, HE JUST CAPTURED OUR HEARTS."

Five-year-old David was born with his right leg at a 90 degree angle to his body. Until about a year ago he simply dragged himself around or sat on chairs, until another American family gave him crutches.

"WHERE THEY CAME FROM, THESE CHILDREN ARE-- BY THE TIME THEY'RE EIGHT-- THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH ON THE STREET. THEY RUN OUT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND THE CHILDREN TURN TO DRUGS AND PROSTITUTION, AND THAT'S THEIR LIFE. "

The Pelos say adopting requires a great deal of patience and faith. They just felt that these two boys should be their sons.

The Pelo children study gymnastics, and David is not only fascinated by his brothers and sisters, but he's been watching the Olympics. So now he thinks it's his turn.

Doctors say because David is so active and because caretakers at the orphanage massaged his leg everyday, his circulation is good. With surgery, rehabilitation and more loving care from his family, he should, in time, be able to use it.

The Pelos are now also working toward adopting that little girl in Khazakstan they were first interested in.