Jerry Windle wanted be a dad, but as a single gay man in the 1990’s, that didn’t seem possible. But a magazine story of a man who adopted a child from Cambodia gave him hope.
The child didn’t have a mother and Windle thought he had a chance.
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The article had the number of the adoption service so Jerry called and asked if a single person could adopt a child.
The service said yes.
A few months later, he was holding a sick 18-month-old boy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Little Jordan had scabies and intestinal parasites and was malnourished with severe infections.
Jerry adopted Jordan and took care of him, nursing the child back to health. That child represented the country in the Tokyo Olympics.
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Jordan Windle’s parents died so he was left in a Cambodian orphanage when he was just a year old. He went on to dive for the U.S. Olympic Diving Team, placing second at the Olympic trials.
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Jordan was only seven when he joined a summer camp. That began his journey to the Olympics. There was a man named Tim O’Brien who shared with Jerry that the boy reminded him of the legendary diver, Greg Louganis.
O’Brien’s father, Dr. Ron O’Brien, was Louganis’ Olympic coach.
O’Brien saw something in Jordan that was ”kind of physiological but also inexplicable.” Jordan wanted to take diving lessons, so Jerry supported him.
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Jordan began diving at the age of seven. Just two years later, he won his first national junior national championship. Not bad for a young kid new to the sport.
He grew up in the States but Jordan never forgot his roots. He found that in his heart, he always represented Cambodia in the Olympics. He even got the Cambodian flag tattooed on his arm.
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Jordan proudly shows off his tattoo when he dives!
Jerry couldn’t attend the event to watch Jordan’s Olympic dives, but he did have a watch party in California. Family and friends in Florida had one as well.
They were in full support of Jordan.
“It’s disappointing but at the same time this is Jordan’s journey and this is the pinnacle of it, and I want him to enjoy this experience as best he can … That’s what I’ve always wanted for him,” Jerry said.
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Jordan got up on the diving board, thinking of his father. Jerry is his hero and inspiration for everything he is able to do.
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What he tells everyone when they ask why he dives, is that he does it for his dad who loves him and did everything for him to have a good life.
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“Without him making all the sacrifices that he has, and his love and support the whole time we’ve been together, I really wouldn’t be where I am today. I have him to thank for everything, all my accomplishments. It’s been an amazing journey with him, and we’re still rolling.” Jordan says.
Check out Jordan’s Instagram page for more on his amazing journey.
Meet Jordan and his dad in the video below!
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