Adoption Storyteller – Richard L. McCulley
My journey began in 1962 when at age seven, four of my siblings and I were adopted through the American Homefinding Association in Ottumwa, IA. My biological parents were both blind and raising five children was too challenging, so in the interest of the children we were placed for adoption.
We began our journey on an Amtrak train ride from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA. This event began what was the beginning of a whole new life for me and the shaping a lifetime. This story reflects on the transformative impact of adoption and the experiences through which I navigated to get to this stage of my life. I am currently in my 70’s.
Pages that document some of the ‘defining moments’ in my life by year. These are the ‘monuments’ that were raised up in my journey through life.
My faith journey was pivotal throughout my adoption. I would not be where I am today without faith being central to that experience.
A few pictures that have been made available to me of my family before the train ride to the American Home Finding Association in Ottumwa, Iowa where 5 children, an entire family, were placed for adoption. {yet to come}
My name is Richard Lynn McCulley, and the purpose of rlmjourney.org is to share my adoption journey—and to offer a deeper look into the story behind that defining moment in my life. More than 60 years have passed since my adoption, and I want to walk you through the path that has brought me to where I am today.
I credit my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the strength, direction, and success I have experienced throughout my life. I was raised in New Sharon, Iowa, after being adopted at the age of seven into the home of Kenneth and Barbara McCulley. Over time, I have come to understand that every life—yours and mine—has value, even when circumstances along the way may cause us to question it.
My deepest desire has always been to live a life worthy of respect—from my God, my parents, my siblings, and my wife and children. I want my life to be marked by a good name, one that brings honor rather than regret. Above all, I hope to be known as an overcomer. With God’s help, my goal is to be counted among His beloved.
Through this site, I will share the experiences that have shaped me most—moments that challenged me, defined me, and ultimately strengthened my faith and character.
According to Iowa Legal Aid, over half of Americans have an adoption within their immediate family, and six out of ten personally know someone who has been adopted. Studies also show that 8 out of 10 adopted individuals in America have searched for their biological families.
If you are adopted, you may find parts of your own story reflected here. Whether justified or not, adoption often carries a social stigma. It can follow you in subtle ways—comments like, “He’s not their real child; he was adopted,” can leave a lasting impression. Likewise, adoptive parents may quietly wonder about the unknowns a child brings into the family.
Years after I located my biological family, a television program called *Long Lost Family* became popular. Watching those stories, I often recognize parallels to my own experience.
From an early age, I struggled with a sense that I didn’t fully belong. I often felt as though I started several steps behind others—constantly trying to catch up before I could move forward. Even after learning more about my biological background and communicating with members of my biological family over many years, I have continued to feel like only one piece of a larger patchwork.
As you follow my story, you will begin to understand the depth of those experiences.
I was seven years old when I entered my adoptive home, and under Iowa law at the time, I was required to live there for one full year before the adoption could be finalized. Unfortunately, the process was not completed correctly. The attorney handling my case failed to file an amended birth certificate, leaving a gap that has affected me throughout my life.
Because of this error, my legal identity and birth records cannot be fully reconciled. I possess my original birth certificate from California, which was never properly amended or redacted. Despite seeking legal assistance over the years, this issue has never been resolved. As a result, I am unable to travel internationally due to the discrepancy in my documentation.