In this autism book for parents and caregivers, TEDx speaker Lola Dada-Olley has created a caregiver's guide to finding freedom within yourself while parenting kids who require lifetime care.
"This isn't just a memoir but an act of resistance." —Kiana Moore, vice president of content production at Vox Media
It takes a village to raise a child, and raising a child with complex health care needs may require that village to be dismantled and rebuilt in unexpected ways.
With over thirty years as a caregiver and disability advocate, Lola teaches readers that navigating life on the spectrum and parenting autistic children can lead to a whole life—and the realization that perfection is an illusion.
Lola is an attorney, advocate, podcaster, speaker, lifelong caregiver, and recipient of a Kim and Kasey Floyd Rural Social Justice Award from the American Council on Rural Special Education. She and her family also shared part of their story in Sensory Overload, a Vox Media documentary (Hulu).
Inside this personal transformation book for caregivers, discover how to
recognize the new lane you find yourself in,
redefine what success can look like within your new parameters,
reimagine what it means to thrive,
identify incremental progress as progress, and
take back your life outlook!
This gift for caregivers blends the personal restoration and self-care of Take Back Your Life with the vulnerable, matter-of-fact, hopeful messaging of We're Not Broken.
You don't have to disappear in service to everyone else. Whether you're facing caregiver burnout or navigating a loved one's trauma or disability, Unapologetically Whole is the guidance you need to embrace the assignment of a lifetime.
"A testament to breaking generational cycles of erasure and martyrdom. It reminds us that caregiving does not require self-abandonment, and that even as we show up for others, our wholeness, dignity, and humanity matter too." —Lisa Hurley, author of Space to Exhale and founder of The Great Exhale
Lola Dada‑Olley is a TEDx speaker, attorney, and advocate whose work sits at the intersection of law, accessibility, and lived experience. She serves as executive director and assistant general counsel at a global banking institution, advising on ADA Title III and partnering across consumer businesses to advance accessible, inclusive experiences—work that also includes protections for elder and vulnerable customers navigating financial abuse risks.
Lola is the creator and host of Unapologetically Whole (formerly Not Your Mama's Autism), a podcast and storytelling platform that explores identity, caregiving, and thriving through adversity. Her conversations and essays center wholeness, neurodiversity, special education, caregiver mental health, and trauma-informed leadership.
Her family is featured in Vox Media's acclaimed documentary Sensory Overload (Hulu), which brought national attention to sensory sensitivities. She is a TEDx speaker ("Your Path Is Your Purpose") and a former recipient of the Social Justice Award from the American Council on Rural Special Education.
A lifelong caregiver—supporting a brother and two children on the autism spectrum—Lola writes and speaks from lived experience, bringing hope and practical frameworks to families, educators, health systems, and workplaces. She lives in North Texas with her family.
"Lola Dada-Olley pulls you into her story and refuses to let you look away. Unapologetically Whole is a testament to what it means to bare your soul, your family, and your work all in the pursuit of an inclusive and understanding world. This isn't just a memoir but an act of resistance. Lola's voice is singular, her story is universal, and her impact is lasting . . . read the book!" — Kiana Moore, vice president of content production at Vox Media
"When everything around you feels brittle and uncertain, what if that's just the prelude to uncovering real purpose? In Unapologetically Whole, Lola Dada-Olley shares moving stories of loss, rebirth, and inner transformation, offering readers a guide to reconnect with their core, reclaim their power, and live with radical intention." — Laura Gassner Otting, Wall Street Journal-best-selling author of Wonderhell
"Unapologetically Whole is a testament to breaking generational cycles of erasure and martyrdom. It reminds us that caregiving does not require self-abandonment, and that even as we show up for others, our wholeness, dignity, and humanity matter too." — Lisa Hurley, author of Space to Exhale and founder of The Great Exhale
"Unapologetically Whole is more than a memoir—it's a movement. Lola Dada-Olley brings truth, tenderness, and fierce advocacy to every page." — Camille Proctor, founder and executive director of The Color of Autism Foundation
"This is going to be a much-needed resource for the field, but more than that, it's like having a close friend share their heart with you in a way that makes you feel less alone in your own questions, struggles, and personal journey to make generational impact in the world. I love how Lola Dada-Olley interweaves her many diverse experiences effortlessly throughout her writing; it's like a symphony delivered thoughtfully and tenderly through the written word." — Leigh Anne McKingsley, senior director of disability and justice initiatives at The Arc of the United States
"Through Lola Dada-Olley's brave, powerful memoir, we're reminded that lived experience carries its own authority and expertise. Unapologetically Whole becomes both testimony and a blueprint shaped by witness." — Deborah Spencer, CEO of Dominique Cares
"Unapologetically Whole is a compelling and deeply honest testament to the courage it takes to reclaim identity while carrying the profound, often hidden labor of caregiving. Lola Dada-Olley weaves vulnerability with strength as she explores resilience, generational healing, and trauma-informed leadership, offering insights that invite readers to rethink what it means to advocate for others while rediscovering themselves. This memoir is essential reading for anyone who believes in the power of advocacy, healing, and becoming whole on their own terms." — Kim Floyd, PhD, professor of special education at West Virginia University
