Your future is in your hands. You just have to plant the right seeds.
– Master Choa Kok Sui
Your future is in your hands. You just have to plant the right seeds.
– Master Choa Kok Sui
Our Story
We Share Your Journey
In 2021, Joe Brady found inspiration for Unicorns & Polka Dots while he and his wife, Karen, were raising their two grandchildren after the tragic loss of their daughter, Brianna, to an accidental opioid overdose.
It’s Time for the Narrative to Change
Changing the stigma or perception of SUD takes a village. The road to recovery can be rough. Individuals and their families struggling with SUD often need help navigating the fragmented recovery process. With your help, we’re building a recovery college for SUD offering resources for prevention, treatment and recovery.
Unicorns & Polka Dots forms Recovery Council
Unicorns & Polka Dots is excited to announce that we have recently formed a Recovery Council, comprised of a select number of men and women in recovery.
Joe Brady, founder of Unicorns & Polka Dots states, "The wisdom, insights and ideas the members of our Recovery Council can share will provide valuable guidance as to how best to leverage our time, energy and activities to further strengthen the chances for successful recovery. Additionally, the information they share will continue to fuel our passion to make a significant difference in the lives of those working so hard in their recovery journey."
Joe Brady, founder of Unicorns & Polka Dots, to address CWRU Medical Students
On September 27, 2023, Joe Brady, founder of Unicorns & Polka Dots, will one of several panelists speaking to medical students at Case Western Reserve University regarding his experiences and perspectives on the impact of opiate use disorder on affected family members.
This is part of the medical student elective course on the opioid epidemic. Panelists and other family members affected by opiate use disorder will also be participating in this event.
Face & Overcome Fear - 16th Annual Gregg Gilder Memorial Firewalk
On Saturday, September 16, over 130 people joined us for a moving night facing and overcoming fear.
Two speakers helped participants unleash their personal power to understand the role fear plays in our lives and how to overcome it. We got a greater understanding of the powerful mind-body connection and how it works in our daily lives.
If we can share one takeaway from this powerful event it would be this: developing and implementing strategies to manage and navigate through fear will allow you to generate the upward mobility to keep making progress and realize your dreams.
Participants were also able to take part in various events including breaking boards, walking on glass and firewalking (walking on hot embers).
Joe Brady, Unicorns & Polka Dots Recognized at Luncheon Celebrating 25th Anniversary of Drug Court
The fight against substance use disorder (SUD) is never ending. Since its inception in 1998, nearly 2,000 people have successfully completed the Judge Larry A. Jones Drug Court program, benefiting not just the individuals involved, but also the community in which they live. On September 8, 2023, hundreds of people helped the Greater Cleveland Drug Court celebrate its 25th anniversary.
During the ceremony, the Court honored Joe Brady, founder of Unicorns & Polka Dots, for his work to help those battling substance use disorder in memory of his daughter, Brianna.
Self-Defense Class for Women in Recovery Starting June 12
Starting June 12 and running every Monday through July 31, Unicorns & Polka Dots is sponsoring a self-defense class for women in recovery. Conducted by Kim's Martial Arts, the course is designed for female students to enhance overall knowledge and ability to handle an attacker and improve self-confidence.
First Self-Defense Boot Camp Celebrates Our Graduates
Unicorns & Polka Dots partnered with Kim's Martial Arts and held a six-week self-defense boot camp. The program was enthusiastically received and planning has already started to offer the program on a long-term basis, opening it up to a larger recovery-based audience.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
20 MILLION AMERICANS suffer from substance use disorder.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
Source: National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
Source: National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services
OVER 100,000 PEOPLE DIE from overdoses in America each year.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
OVER 100,000 PEOPLE DIE from overdoses in America each year.
Source: CDC