Single Dad Adopts Sick and Starving Boy — He Becomes an Olympian 21 Years Later
ArchiveFirst published June 30, 2024. It may not reflect later developments.
Jerry Windle, a single man in his mid-30s, faced numerous challenges in adopting a child as a single, gay man. After moving to Florida, he read a magazine article about a similar adoption and contacted a Cambodian orphanage. He received a photo of a little boy named Pisey and knew instantly he would be his son. Jerry promised, “I would make every sacrifice I could as a parent to get him every opportunity.”
Jerry adopted Pisey, renaming him Jordan, a sickly two-year-old who weighed only 16 pounds. Despite his frail condition, Jerry brought Jordan to Florida in June 2000. At age seven, Jordan developed a love for diving. A camp instructor saw his potential and encouraged Jerry to get him into the sport.
Jordan won his first junior national championship two years after starting diving. At 16, he returned to Cambodia to participate in a diving exhibition, sharing his story with local children. “Being able to speak to them… and share where I came from in my life… was awesome,” Jordan said.
Jordan represented the U.S. at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He promised to honor Cambodia, even tattooing its flag on his arm. “I wish [my dad] was there, but that doesn’t really change what I’m going there to do,” Jordan stated. Despite COVID-19 restrictions preventing Jerry from attending, Jordan remained determined to make his father proud. The duo co-authored a book, “An Orphan No More: The True Story of a Boy,” showcasing their inspiring journey.
