Wallpaper Dogs: A Collection of Poetry by Allard Broderick is an evocative work of poetry and art that explores the author’s ongoing journey of healing from severe trauma and human trafficking.  As I read this manuscript, I was captured by the depth and vulnerability of its language, and lingered in the richness of its art.  Beyond sharing personal insights, Broderick created space for me to connect with my own emotions and engage in self-exploration.  This collection serves as an example of the transformative power of using expressive arts to confront difficult realities. 

Originally from the United Kingdom, Broderick now resides in Colorado. They have a longstanding commitment to using the arts and theater as tools for healing, both in their own life and in the lives of others. An advocate for people with disabilities, Broderick is passionate about empowering individuals to share their stories through a variety of creative and expressive modalities.

Wallpaper Dogs: A Collection of Poetry is dedicated to “fellow warriors everywhere.”  You can help make this book more widely available by requesting a copy through your local library.  Contact information for Broderick, along with e-commerce links for purchasing this book are provided below.  An audiobook edition is expected to be released by fall of 2026.  A portion of proceeds from book sales will be donated to An Infinite Mind.

A:  Art has always been something we were involved in in some capacity as adults. For a good part of our career, we were in film/TV and also comedy. We taught children and adults for many years across the US.

Once we were aware we were a system, art went away for a while. It came back into our life through visual arts. In the past six years it became a form of communication even when we weren’t aware of it.

Poetry is most definitely a newer medium. Two years ago when we wrote our story through dance, art and narrative, that was when poetry came into the forefront. An alter that was unknown to us began writing during that time-that is what led us to “Wallpaper Dogs”.

A:  The earliest book that jumps to mind is JD Salinger‘s “A Catcher in the Rye.” We had spent our life in such opposition to anything that felt close to who we might be in every aspect, in addition to attending Catholic schools with no room for much of anything other than their version of what you should be.  Salinger gave us a glimpse of a rebellion we only imagined.

I’m not sure that a particular writer or piece influenced us to write. We have too much imposter syndrome as a constant companion for that.

Fortunately, it just happened through alters speaking up through words not needing permission.  They also have not shared their story regarding how writing affects them and their voice.

A:  I’m sure we were influenced by writers and artists (Dali, Klimt, Munch, L.S Lowry) during the writing and illustrations of this book, however we are not aware of anyone specifically. We tend to be overthinkers and self judgement visits most of our internal artists regularly, however during this process it was different. Our instincts took over and the process was overall calmer and the influences were natural rather than studied.

A:  Overall, the book grew naturally and the artwork was either newly done if it felt right or we found work that we had from quite a while ago that connected to the piece.

Some of the biggest adjustments were to remain as ADA compliant as possible, that was very important to us. Trying to do that and keep the flow of our work as genuine to who we were was a little tricky but I think overall the outcome remains true.

A:  There are a few pieces that have specific artwork that resembles things from our past that probably have a more personal connection, however the good thing about art is that we get to hold that, and others get to create their own personal connection to it.

I don’t think there’s anything specific that they might not recognise that holds a special importance.

A:  It’s a tricky question when a system has contributed to the book, however, one particular alter wrote most of it.

A stand out for me is “Tightrope to Recovery.” It has an edginess to it that is slightly different from the other poetry in the book.

“ Self-loathing is a suitcase you can’t always put down. Subsequently, they chose Armani

 Although, there is the potential that

 If I took the time to clean my glasses

 I’d noticed it’s probably a cheap knock off.”

I enjoy the way I can walk the streets envisioning this happening, as most humans carry such a load with them every day, masking and defending themselves. We all have things we carry, some things are just way heavier than we could ever imagine. We can’t possibly know what somebody else is dealing with just by looking at them.

A:  The biggest thing that we challenged overall was if we could  complete it. There are so many aspects to publishing a book and we are a vast bunch of systems in here who are also autistic and ADHD. We have carried for many years the belief that we are stupid and have had great difficulty erasing those words from our memory.

 With that and having a processing disorder and learning difficulties, we avoided many things for fear of failure.  Completing the book at all is a big accomplishment, in addition to the benefits towards healing.

To this day, I’m still shocked and surprised that we completed high school. 

However, here we are, the differences in abilities inside is how we got to publish this book, with alters who write and do not need kudos or guidance, who don’t need to be told what to do next is truly a gift. They have taught those inside who have fear and self doubts follow them has been an incredible lesson we will continue to learn from. Knowing now that we have alters who don’t question themselves is extraordinary progress. 

A:  Healing for us will continue to be a growth in acceptance of each other and our past.  Writing this book and continually doing art and filling notebooks is an intricate part of our healing journey.

Healing is knowing ourselves even in the smallest of ways and working towards paths that create a sense of acceptance.

I think writing has changed us completely. 

Not only does it allow voices to come forward that we didn’t even know existed, it is the key form of communication for us. 

Writing is the way we have discovered each other.  Two years ago someone turned the key and locks began opening. Writing is the key and the key is Healing.

A:  This is a big question!

I realise we are far more resilient then we ever believed. And creativity in many forms is our language.

A:  We hope that anyone who reads or listens to this book will feel a connection, whatever that means for them. It might be a word, a sentence or an illustration.

That if they are a system, that someone inside, maybe for the first time, will feel seen – perhaps no longer alone.

That even for a brief moment, they realize there are other people like them out there.

They not alone in the world. 

That is the most important thing.

A:  If we can change our inner dialogue with the words we write and therefore effect change of those in our lives.

It can create a trickle effect. Our own dialogue slowly shifting has changed the way we navigate the world. We changed much of our own inner society through writing, a large society that we thought was destined to remain in civil war. 

If we share the words of ourselves and our experiences and let them carry weight, we can introduce to those who hold doubt, who carry stigma to something opposite to what they have been led to believe.

Society shifts in increments, by speaking truths and keeping challenges at the forefront all while doing our best not to waiver..it happens. 

Stigma and disbelief rely on shaky ground.  If that is true, we can evoke change, word by word. Simply because truth is stronger than the fear of change.

A:  We are most proud of the fact that it is in print, and it is being shared out there! At the risk of sounding cheesy, that is it. We finished something big and worked together in many ways that we have not had to do before, pretty cool.

A:  We like to offer to anybody who wants to do this or is thinking about it to pick up a pen, put on some music if that helps or give yourself some quiet time, even set a timer so you don’t feel the pressure to fill too much space and time.. and doodle, paint, collage or move. Any form of expression is storytelling. Bullet points are a great way to start. Sometimes the amount of ideas can slow us down, starting with 3 or 4 to begin with, can be helpful. Try not to think about it too much, let the words/art flow.

A:  To be honest, hope can be fleeting and elusive, so for us it lies in connection, to continuing to heal. Connection and creativity equates hope.

A:  We continue to do art and write.  At the moment, we are still focused on promoting wallpaper dogs and breathing into that and focusing on some further training.