98 Adoptive Grandparents for Baby Pyper

It is said it takes a village to raise a child and when it comes to two-month- old Pyper Nancy Winter, nothing could be closer to the truth. Instead of the usual number of grandparents, she has 98 adopted seniors at Baptistcare’s Gracehaven Residential Care in Rockingham doting on her.

But the fact Baptistcare’s residents have so lovingly embraced the tiny tot is no surprise to new mum, Zoe Jordan (24), who has had a deep connection with the Baptistcare facility since arriving in Perth with her family from Northern Ireland back in 2008.

Her mum (Pyper’s grandmother) Kim Jordan, became a Baptistcare Lifestyle Coordinator and with her extended family back in Ireland, Baptistcare Gracehaven became Zoe’s second home.

As a teenager, Zoe became an official volunteer at Baptistcare Gracehaven and when she was old enough, she qualified as an Allied Health Assistant in Aged Care so she could work alongside her mother.

Zoe said she had been overwhelmed by the great support she has had from residents.

“I have known a lot of the residents for many years, so it only seemed natural to share my pregnancy with everybody. In fact, a few people guessed that I was pregnant even before I knew myself.”

“I had my gender reveal party at Baptistcare Gracehaven which was a lovely event and I was showered with some beautiful hand-made baby clothes, blankets and wraps.”

Zoe said the residents followed her pregnancy very closely, suggesting names and trying to guess the birth weight.

“It was wonderful to have so many residents cheering me on every step of the way, offering advice and being an active part of the process.”

Although she is currently on maternity leave, Zoe still calls into Baptistcare Gracehaven twice a week to visit because everyone wants to see Pyper.

According to Baptistcare Gracehaven Lifestyle Coordinator, Kim Jordan, Zoe’s pregnancy and the birth of Pyper has had a positive effect on the residents who enquire about her and want to see her as much as possible.

“For many of them, the memories they hold most clearly are of the distant past and a new baby has helped many residents to capture those precious moments they had as parents.”

“I am very happy to “share” my granddaughter because it is so good to see the residents so engaged and involved whenever Pyper comes to visit,” she said.

Baptistcare has more than 45 years’ experience providing care and support for Western Australians in their senior years.